Harry Wilson’s whirlwind year has continued, with the Reds back-rower going from Wallabies outcast to captain.
The 24-year-old was named the Wallabies’ 90th captain for Sunday’s (8am AEST) Rugby Championship fixture against Los Pumas in Buenos Aires, confirming The Roar’s earlier report.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt had made five changes to his starting side and eight in total for the vital TRC clash, where the men in gold are trying to snap an eight-match losing streak.
As revealed by The Roar on Wednesday, Schmidt has handed a maiden Wallabies jersey to Toowoomba-born back Hamish Stewart.
The 26-year-old, who replaces Hunter Paisami (MCL), will become the 15th debutant under Schmidt in 2024 – the most in 62 years.
Harry Wilson has been named the Wallabies’ 90th captain. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
The inside centre is one of two changes to the backline, with Jake Gordon replacing Nic White after recovering from a head knock suffered in the 33-7 loss to the Springboks in Brisbane.
The Wallabies will face a fired up Pumas side eager to send off former skipper Agustin Creevy a winner.
The 39-year-old will bow out of international rugby following the fixture, which is being played in home town of La Plata, having made his debut way back in 2005.
The 109-cap veteran will come off the bench behind regular skipper Julian Montoya, with Felipe Contepomi returning Marcos Kremer to the back-row. Kremer forms a formidable back-row alongside Pablo Matera and Juan Martin Gonzalez.
Contepomi’s backline has a strong sense of continuity to it, with Santiago Carreras once again wearing the No.10 jersey.
Taniela Tupou is back for the Wallabies. (Photo by Adam Pretty – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
The Wallabies have been bolstered up front by the return of Taniela Tupou, who missed both defeats against the Springboks for personal reasons.
The Tongan Thor should give the Wallabies the edge at the scrum, with Argentina’s set-piece in the eight-man push not nearly as strong as it once was.
His return sees Allan Alaalatoa, who captained the Wallabies during the previous three Tests, move back to the bench.
The other change up front sees Matt Faessler return at hooker, with Josh Nasser dropping back to the bench.
In the second-row, fit-again Nick Frost partners Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the second-row.
In the absence of Liam Wright and Fraser McReight (both injured), Wilson once again forms a back-row combination alongside Rob Valetini and Carlo Tizzano.
Hamish Stewart will become the Wallabies’ 15th debutant of the season. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for ARU)
It’s a relatively settled bench, with Isaac Kailea returning at loose-head prop in place of James Slipper. The Wallabies veteran was a late arrival in Argentina following the birth of his second child.
Jeremy Williams and Langi Gleeson provide some raw-boned power off the bench, while Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson and Max Jorgensen once again have been named.
“The players have bounced back from the travel and time difference since arriving in Buenos Aires, with today’s training being our most energetic.”
“For us, we know the Argentinians will enjoy vocal home support but we’ve also had plenty of encouragement from back in Australia, which we have appreciated and will try to justify.”
Wallabies team to play Argentina at Estadio Uno Estudiantes de La Plata on Sunday September 1 at 8:00am AEST
1. Angus Bell (29 Tests)
2. Matt Faessler (8 Tests)
3. Taniela Tupou (52 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (17 Tests)
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (34 Tests)
6. Rob Valetini (44 Tests)
7. Carlo Tizzano (2 Tests)
8. Harry Wilson (c) (15 Tests)
9. Jake Gordon (23 Tests)
10. Noah Lolesio (21 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (60 Tests)
12. Hamish Stewart*
13. Len Ikitau (31 Tests)
14. Andrew Kellaway (31 Tests)
15. Tom Wright (30 Tests)
Substitutes
16. Josh Nasser (4 Tests)
17. Isaac Kailea (4 Tests)
18. Allan Alaalatoa (72 Tests)
19. Jeremy Williams (4 Tests)
20. Langi Gleeson (6 Tests)
21. Tate McDermott (33 Tests)
22. Ben Donaldson (10 Tests)
23. Max Jorgensen (1 Test)
*denotes uncapped
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