Tane Edmed has been given the keys to the Wallabies’ attack with coach Joe Schmidt handing the playmaker Australia’s number 10 jersey for the first time.
Two-cap international Edmed will call the shots in Australia’s second Rugby Championship meeting with Argentina after being named to replace Tom Lynagh, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Edmed’s inclusion as the Wallabies’ starting fly half is one of four changes to Australia’s starting side, which conjured a last-gasp 28-24 win over Argentina in Townsville last week.
He won the run-on role ahead of veteran James O’Connor, who will again come off the bench.
The ACT Brumbies-bound Edmed will partner Nic White in the halves, with Tate McDermott again in the reserves.
A knee laceration has denied Len Ikitau the chance to continue his centre partnership with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, with Hunter Paisami set to don the number 12 jersey.
Elsewhere, James Slipper returns to the front row and a back complaint has led to the Wallabies resting lock forward Nick Frost.
Jeremy Williams will come into the second row to cover Frost while Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has been included in his first Test squad of the year.
Fellow Queenslander Josh Nasser has taken the place of Brandon Paenga-Amosa as the back-up hooker in the other change to the bench.
“While managing injuries is always a challenge, we’re excited to have some fresh bodies who have been training hard with the group for a number of weeks and are keen to contribute,” Schmidt said.
“Argentina led for the whole game in Townsville until the very end and we’re very aware of the threat they’ll pose on Saturday afternoon.
“We’ll need to be better than we were last week.”
Wallabies vs Argentina team lists
| Australia Wallabies | Argentina | |
|---|---|---|
| James Slipper | 1. Loosehead Prop | Mayco Vivas |
| Billy Pollard | 2. Hooker | Julian Montoya (captain) |
| Taniela Tupou | 3. Tighthead Prop | Joel Sclavi |
| Jeremy Williams | 4. Lock | Guido Petti |
| Tom Hooper | 5. Lock | Pedro Rubiolo |
| Rob Valetini | 6. Blindside Flanker | Juan Martin Gonzalez |
| Fraser McReight | 7. Openside Flanker | Marcos Kremer |
| Harry Wilson (captain) | 8. Number Eight | Joaquin Oviedo |
| Nic White | 9. Scrumhalf | Gonzalo Garcia |
| Tane Edmed | 10. Fly half | Santiago Carreras |
| Corey Toole | 11. Left Winger | Mateo Carreras |
| Hunter Paisami | 12. Inside Centre | Santiago Chocobares |
| Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii | 13. Outside Centre | Lucio Cinti |
| Max Jorgensen | 14. Right Winger | Rodrigo Isgro |
| Andrew Kellaway | 15. Fullback | Juan Cruz Mallia |
| Josh Nasser | 16. Reserve | Ignacio Ruiz |
| Angus Bell | 17. Reserve | Boris Wenger |
| Zane Nonggorr | 18. Reserve | Francisco Coria Marchetti |
| Lukhan Salakaia-Loto | 19. Reserve | Franco Molina |
| Carlo Tizzano | 20. Reserve | Pablo Matera |
| Tate McDermott | 21. Reserve | Agustin Moyano |
| James O’Connor | 22. Reserve | Justo Piccardo |
| Filipo Daugunu | 23. Reserve | Ignacio Mendy |
| Joe Schmidt | Head coach | Felipe Contepomi |
What time do the Wallabies play Argentina in the Rugby Championship?
Australia will host Argentina this Saturday afternoon at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Here are the kick-off times for each state and territory, and the other SANZAAR rugby nations:
- Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, ACT: 2pm AEST
- South Australia and Northern Territory: 1:30pm ACST
- Western Australia: 12pm AWST
- New Zealand: 4pm NZST
- South Africa: 6am SAST
- Argentina: 1am AST
How can I watch the Wallabies vs Argentina?
In Australia, the Nine Network will show the Wallabies vs Argentina on free-to-air via 9Gem (channel 92) and 9GemHD (channel 95).
The match will also be streamed online through the Nine Network’s 9Now.
Nine’s streaming platform, Stan Sport, will also be broadcasting the match live.
Here are the host broadcasters in other parts of the world:
- UK and Ireland: Sky Sports
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ
- Pacific: DigicelTV
- South Africa: SuperSport
- Argentina, North America and South America: ESPN
You can also follow the action on ABC Sport through the live blog.
AAP/ABC
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