Nine changes, seven days apart
Nine. That is how many alterations Les Kiss has made to his starting XV for the second Test against Argentina, named Friday ahead of Saturday’s meeting at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.
A week ago in San Salvador de Jujuy, Australia won 27-21. A result, certainly. A performance, not really.
Kiss did not tinker. He rebuilt.
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Tom Wright hits 50
The full-back wins his 50th cap. He debuted against New Zealand in 2020 and has since become one of the few names nobody in Australian rugby bothers debating. He starts in a back three with Max Jorgensen and Filipo Daugunu, the latter back on the wing for the first time since the Dublin Test against Ireland last year.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Len Ikitau pair up again in midfield. Sixteen starts together across Australia’s last 25 Tests. Nobody is guessing with that combination.
Ben Donaldson gets the 10 shirt, which he has not worn for the Wallabies since 2024. Ryan Lonergan is alongside him and keeps a perfect run going: every match this season, every one from the start.
Harry Wilson takes the armband back
The No 8 returns as captain, taking over from Rob Valetini, a two-time John Eales Medallist who moves to blindside. Fraser McReight, man of the match last weekend, rounds out the back row.
Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou come back into the front row with Billy Pollard between them. Jeremy Williams and Josh Canham carry on in the second row. The replacement front row is pure Queensland Reds: Josh Nasser, Aidan Ross, Massimo De Lutiis.
Kiss is not selling this as a routine outing. “After a physical Test last week, we’ve brought in some fresh legs alongside settled combinations to keep building experience within the squad,” he said, before adding that Argentina will come at them hard.
Kick-off is 18:00 local time on Saturday. New Zealander James Doleman has the whistle.
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