Rugby-New front row and centre pairing as Australia strengthen side


Rugby Union - HSBC Sevens World Championships - Hong Kong - Australia v Kenya - Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong, China - April 17, 2026 Australia's Harry Wilson in action with Kenya's Kevin Wekesa Nyongesa REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Sept 3 (Reuters) - Australia have ⁠again rung the changes but significantly strengthened their ⁠side for the second test against Argentina on Saturday ‌as captain Harry Wilson was restored to the starting line-up.

• Wallabies coach Les Kiss had named an entirely new forward pack for last weekend’s ​first test in San Salvador de ⁠Jujuy, where they pulled ⁠off a narrow 27-21 win, but for Saturday’s game changed only ⁠the ‌front row and one of the loose forwards.

• Experienced props Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou return ⁠with Billy Pollard as hooker.

• Rob Valetini moves ​from No. 8 ‌to the flank to allow for the return of ⁠captain Wilson.

• ​Ben Donaldson is named at flyhalf in place of Carter Gordon and will team up with Ryan Lonergan, who stays at ⁠scrumhalf as he has in every ​test this year.

• Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii start together for the 17th time in the centre pairing while on the ⁠left wing Harry Potter is replaced by Filipo Daugunu.

• Fullback Tom Wright will mark his 50th cap.

Team: 15-Tom Wright, 14-Max Jorgensen, 13-Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12-Len Ikitau, 11-Filipo Daugunu, 10-Ben Donaldson, 9-Ryan ​Lonergan, 8-Harry Wilson (captain), 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Rob ⁠Valetini, 5-Jeremy Williams, 4-Josh Canham, 3-Taniela Tupou, 2-Billy Pollard, 1-Angus ​Bell

Reserves: 16-Josh Nasser, 17-Aidan Ross, 18-Massimo ‌de Lutiis, 19-Lukhan Salakaia-Loto Shaw, 20-Charlie ​Cale, 21-Kalani Thomas, 22-Carter Gordon, 23-Isaac Henry.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

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