1
O'Connor among a mass of Wallabies changes for Pumas
By AAP
Veteran James O'Connor will start at five-eighth among a raft of changes to the Wallabies following another disrupted build-up ahead of their second Rugby Championship Test against Argentina.
The Australians will take on the wounded Pumas in San Juan on Sunday morning (AEST) looking to back up last week's 41-26 victory.
Leading up to that opening Test they lost skipper Michael Hooper (mental health) and hooker Dave Porecki (concussion) while veteran playmaker Quade Cooper ruptured his Achilles during the game.
Ahead of this clash Hunter Paisami has been ruled out after a head knock, with Wallabies coach Dave Rennie naming Waratahs centre Lalakai Foketi for his second Test appearance.
He will start at 12, with Len Ikitau returning at outside centre.
The inexperience of Foketi has led Rennie to opt for the cool head of 63-Test veteran O'Connor ahead of youngster Noah Lolesio, who wore the 10 jersey through the recent England series.
Prop Alla n Alaalatoa became the fourth member from the Wallabies squad to fly home from Argentina following a family bereavement, with Taniela Tupou the starting tighthead.
"Giteau's Law" choice Rory Arnold, who has been based in France, will have his first start of the year in the second row, replacing Matt Philip.
Giant Melbourne enforcer Pone Fa'amausili has been named to make his Test debut from the bench.
Irae Simone, who was a late call-up to the squad and will head to France following the two-Test tour of Argentina, has been named on the bench for his third Test with Rennie adding an additional back.
Wallabies: Tom Wright, Jordan Petaia, Len Ikitau, Lalakai Foketi, Marika Koroibete, James O'Connor, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Jed Holloway, Darcy Swain, Rory Arnold, Taniela Tupou, Folau Fainga'a, James Slipper (c). Res: Lachlan Lonergan, Matt Gibbon; Pone Fa'amausili, Nick Frost, Pete Samu; Tate McDermott, Irae Simone, Reece Hodge.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
3
Suaalii strikes awe as Wallabies lose midfielder
4
Scott Robertson responds about handling errors
5
Latest Comments
I think we need to get innovative with the new laws.
Now red cards are only 20 minutes, Razor should send Finau on a head hunting mission to hospitalise their 10 with a shoulder to the chops.
Give the conspiracy theorists a win.
Go to commentsEngland played well enough to win but couldnt score when they needed to and couldnt defend a couple of X-Factor moments from Telea which was ultimately the difference. They needed to hold the ball more and make the AB's make more tackles. Territorially they were good for the first 60. Defending their lead and playing pragmatic rugby in the last 20 was silly. The AB's always had the potential to come back. England still have a long way to go, definite progress would have been shown had they won but it seems they are still stuck where they were shortly after the six nations and their tour to NZ
Go to comments