Wallabies v Argentina - Saturday 15 July 2023

[The InnFORCEr]

Michael Hooper is out with calf injury.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/othe...716de434&ei=49

[The InnFORCEr]

McReight, Arnold set to start as Wallabies confirm side to face Argentina
Thu, Jul 13, 2023, 7:27 AM
Nathan Williamson



Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has confirmed his side to face Argentina on July 15, making five changes from the starting XV that went down to South Africa.

Co-captain Michael Hooper has been ruled out with a foot injury, with Reds flanker Fraser McReight coming into the starting side.

He is joined in the back row by Jed Holloway as Tom Hooper deals with a shoulder injury.

Richie Arnold will also start in his first game after last week's debut, partnering fellow France-based lock Will Skelton.

Samu Kerevi will start alongside Len Ikitau in the centres as he continues his return from injury.

Mark Nawaqanitawase will play his first game of 2023 after a breakthrough Spring Tour last year.

He combines with Marika Koroibete and Tom Wright at the back, with halves Quade Cooper and Nic White completing the backline.

“As a squad we’re running a marathon this year, and we didn’t get off the start line like we wanted to, but we get another opportunity to find our rhythm this weekend against a tough Argentinian side," Jones said in a statement.

“We have two Tests on home soil this year, so we have to have to roll up our sleeves on Saturday and put in a performance that drives Australians to show pride in the Wallabies.”

On the bench, the Wallabies are boosted by the return of prop Angus Bell, who has recovered from a foot injury.

Along with this, Josh Kemeny is set to become Wallaby 968, with the utility named as part of a 6/2 split.

Kemeny is joined by Rebels teammates Matt Philip and Rob Leota after they overcame long-term injuries.

Leota has not featured since last year's Bledisloe Cup after rupturing his Achilles.

Rebels teammate Carter Gordon retains his spot after a solid debut alongside Tate McDermott

The Wallabies’ Test against Argentina will be broadcast live on the Nine Network with extended coverage on Stan Sport.

Wallabies team to play Argentina at CommBank Stadium, Sydney on Saturday 15 July, 7:45pm AEST

1. James Slipper (c) (128 Tests)

2. David Porecki (11 Tests)

3. Allan Alaalatoa (65 Tests)

4. Richie Arnold (1 Test)

5. Will Skelton (25 Tests)

6. Jed Holloway (10 Tests)

7. Fraser McReight (10 Tests)

8. Rob Valetini (31 Tests)

9. Nic White (60 Tests)

10. Quade Cooper (77 Tests)

11. Marika Koroibete (52 Tests)

12. Samu Kerevi (42 Tests)

13. Len Ikitau (27 Tests)

14. Mark Nawaqanitawase (3 Tests)

15. Tom Wright (24 Tests)

Finishers

16. Jordan Uelese (16 Tests)

17. Angus Bell (20 Tests)

18. Pone Fa’amausili (3 Tests)

19. Matt Philip (27 Tests)

20. Rob Leota (13 Tests)

21. Josh Kemeny*

22. Tate McDermott (22 Tests)

23. Carter Gordon (1 Test)

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wallab...tralia-2023712

[Tazzmania]

How does Uelese keep his spot but not Frost and Samu, with a six / two bench ��

Six Rebels on the bench ��

[The InnFORCEr]

Looking for avenue to watch back to back rugby matches this weekend?

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[GIGS20]

So many poor selections on the bench.
Phillip a good shout but I can't figure out what frost did wrong, injury can be the only explanation.

Skelton is a bit of a nothing pick, but at least the back row has some balance this week.

I don't know that I'll be going all in on this one though.

[chiraag]

That's a much better looking 15. Bench is very strange though, and will be very problematic if we have an injury outside of 9 or 10. I see Jones thinks Kemeny could play in the backs (and perhaps Gordon Or Quade could shift to 12 or 15) but Kemeny is a massive step down to an actual back who has played in the backs as a professional, especially given this is international level.

Uelese over Faessler (or even Lonergan) is another shocker.
Can kind of understand Frost being omitted to get some time into Leota, Philip and Arnold, but it's a pretty rough call on him also.

The early days of Eddie's tenure at the Wallabies certainly aren't inspiring a lot of optimism or confidence....

[GIGS20]

The early days of Eddie's tenure at the Wallabies certainly aren't inspiring a lot of optimism or confidence....

That is, of course, unless they go on to give the Pumas a complete pasting and win at least one game against the all blacks, in which case he'll be hialed as a misunderstood genius.

[SNOB]

That is, of course, unless they go on to give the Pumas a complete pasting and win at least one game against the all blacks, in which case he'll be hialed as a misunderstood genius.

What odds are you giving on that scenario Gigs?

[GIGS20]

What odds are you giving on that scenario Gigs?

0:1

[Burgs]

I guess Eddie really has been on a hiding to nothing from the outset.
If you think about it, he had to talk up the chances of success this year or be howled down by the media for being negative and setting a low bar for the players.
He then has Boks at altitude that requires a strong showing, the Pumas who are no pushover lately so can't be seen as an opportunity for an experimental selection, 2 x AB's where the pressure to perform is obvious and then a curtain raiser with a set Squad against the RWC Hosts.
Apart from the training paddock (and a belated call on a couple of Australia A fixtures) he's really had no opportunity to establish a playing hardened selection.
He knew that taking the job, he doesn't help himself often in the public eye, but the fact remains he's signed up for a pretty brutal return to the Wallabies.

[shasta]

First try looked forward forward out of hands from Cooper

[jargan83]

Eddie Jones is legit reconsidering his life choices.

[Jules]

We are going to get demolished by the all blacks if he doesn’t have some kind of miracle up his sleeve ☹️

[SNOB]

We are going to get demolished by the all blacks if he doesn’t have some kind of miracle up his sleeve ☹️

All Blacks are sending their 1st 2nd and 3rd squads to France to acclimate! Eddie hopes!

[SNOB]

I just hope Nick White doesn’t come to Perth and kick away the ball as much. Can’t understand when you only have 30% possession they still kicked away just about every scrum and the ones they didn’t kick away from they made ground or even scored!