Five Western Force players have been named in the team to face Argentina at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Saturday afternoon.
Force pair Nic White and Tom Robertson will both start, while forwards Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Jeremy Williams and the returning Carlo Tizzano are named as reserves.
Harry Wilson is one of three fresh faces in the starting side with 22-year-old Tom Lynagh selected at flyhalf for what is the side’s first home Test of their 2025 Flight Centre Rugby Championship campaign.
Andrew Kellaway has been named at fullback as he edges closer to his 50th appearance in Gold, replacing Tom Wright who unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury in Cape Town.
Most recent debutant Corey Toole will play his first Test on home soil after being named on the left wing, with Max Jorgensen completing the back three, selected to start on the right edge having celebrated his 21stbirthday during the week in North Queensland.
Lynagh will partner the experienced White in the halves, while Wilson’s return at number eight sees Rob Valetini move to blindside flanker with Fraser McReight continuing using in the number seven jersey.
Bathurst’s Tom Hooper shows his versatility by shifting to the second row to partner club teammate Nick Frost.
Props Robertson and Taniela Tupou are two of nine players in the matchday 23 who took the field in the Wallabies only other Test in Townsville back in 2021, which was also against Argentina. Billy Pollard starts at hooker for the fourth straight Test.
Midfield duo Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will look to continue to build cohesion in the centres, in what will be their ninth consecutive start together in Gold.
Paenga-Amosa is again the replacement hooker, combining with Angus Bell and Queensland’s Zane Nonggorr as the substitute front row for the Test which kicks off at the family friendly time of 2:30pm.
Force pair Williams and Tizzano will cover the back five forward positions.
Queensland captain Tate McDermott will provide spark and energy as the substitute scrum-half, with experienced James O’Connor named to potentially play his first Test on home soil since 2022. Filipo Daugunu rounds out the matchday 23, returning to the side having last pulled on the Gold jersey against Fiji in Newcastle in July.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The players have reassembled after a few days break, following our two games in South Africa, and worked their way through a very warm week here in Townsville.
“Los Pumas are a combative and skilled side, and they will be confident after their recent performances. We know we’re going to need to be at our very best on Saturday afternoon.”
Wallabies team list
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Saturday 6 September, 12:30pm AWST
Live on Stan Sport and Channel 9
Team List
1. Tom Robertson (34 Tests) – #898; Dubbo Junior Rugby Club
2. Billy Pollard (12 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
3. Taniela Tupou (61 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (31 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions
5. Tom Hooper (15 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
6. Rob Valetini (54 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (31 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (27 Tests) - #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Nic White (75 Tests) - #875, Maitland Blacks
10. Tom Lynagh (6 Tests) - #977; University of Queensland
11. Corey Toole (1 Test) - #992; Wagga Crows
12. Len Ikitau (45 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (10 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Max Jorgensen (13 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Andrew Kellaway (43 Tests) - #943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club
Substitutes
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (23 Tests) - #918, Southern Districts
17. Angus Bell (41 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
18. Zane Nonggorr (14 Tests) - #966; Gold Coast Eagles
19. Jeremy Williams (16 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
20. Carlo Tizzano (8 Tests) - #982; University of Western Australia
21. Tate McDermott (47 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
22. James O’Connor (66 Tests) - #832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee
23. Filipo Daugunu (12 Tests) - #931, Wests Bulldogs)
