Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been thrust back into the Wallabies’ starting side while Ben Donaldson will steer the ship in Mendoza for his first start at fly-half in two years.
After a tight win a week earlier, coach Les Kiss has again tinkered with his side for their Argentina rematch on Sunday morning (AEST).
After a run of six losses, the side is chasing five-straight wins for the first time since 2021.
Carter Gordon, reportedly under an injury cloud during the week, has been shifted to the bench to give perennial back-up Donaldson a rare start in the number 10 jersey.
Ryan Lonergan will remain at scrum half, and Tom Wright will play his 50th Test after being named at fullback.
Billy Pollard and Josh Nasser will share the hooking duties, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa rotated out.
It’s otherwise a full-strength pack with Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams all starting, while Harry Wilson has been recalled at number 8 alongside Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini.
Kiss has switched his centres though, with Isaac Henry benched and Hunter Paisami left out to make room for star pair Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
It will be the first time that pair, who were midfield regulars under Joe Schmidt, start together under Kiss, who is 3-0 as Test coach.
Fililipo Daugunu will earn his first start of the season on the wing, replacing Harry Potter, while Kalani Thomas takes Reds teammate Tate McDermott’s spot on the bench as back-up scrum-half.
Prop Aidan Ross and lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto also come into the side on the bench, with Charlie Cale the back row back-up.
Team to face Argentina: Angus Bell, Billy Pollard, Taniela Tupou; Josh Canham, Jeremy Williams; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson; Ryan Lonergan, Ben Donaldson; Filipo Daugunu, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen; Tom Wright. Bench: Josh Nasser, Aidan Ross, Massimo De Lutiis, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Charlie Cale, Kalani Thomas, Carter Gordon, Isaac Henry.
AAP
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