There are a handful of returning faces in the Wallabies squad to face Los Pumas in rounds three and four of the Rugby Championship, with injuries dictating availability for Joe Schmidt’s team.
The coach has lost the services of star fullback Tom Wright, supersub Langi Gleeson, giant lock Will Skelton, bruising wing Dylan Pietsch and the versatile Ben Donaldson.
The good news is Allan Alaalatoa, Tom Lynagh and Harry Potter are all back to full fitness in time for the home series against Argentina, and are joined by Pete Samu in his first Wallabies squad since 2023. Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart, and Josh Canham are all involved as injury replacements, too.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “While it’s disappointing to lose some players in what was an attritional fortnight in South Africa, we’re pleased to be able to lean into the squad depth that we’re trying to create and welcome back some familiar faces to the group.
“Argentina have been in strong form this year with wins over the British & Irish Lions and New Zealand, and we know they’ll be very tough to beat in Townsville.”
Wallabies squad to play Los Pumas
Forwards (20)
Allan Alaalatoa (#896, West Harbour Juniors, ACT Brumbies, 83)
Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 41)
Josh Canham (#987, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 1)
Nick Champion De Crespigny (#991, Canberra Grammar School, Western Force, 2)
Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions, ACT Brumbies, 31)
Tom Hooper (#964, Bathurst Bulldogs, ACT Brumbies, 15)
Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies, Queensland Reds, 31)
Josh Nasser (#979, Easts Rugby (Brisbane), Queensland Reds, 6)
Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles, Queensland Reds, 14)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (#918, Southern Districts, Western Force, 23)
Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 12)
Tom Robertson (#898, Dubbo Kangaroos, Western Force, 34)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Randwick, Queensland Reds, 41)
Pete Samu (#920, Moorabbin Rams, NSW Waratahs, 33)
James Slipper (#843, Bond Pirates, ACT Brumbies, 148)
Carlo Tizzano (#982, University of Western Australia, Western Force, 8)
Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane), NSW Waratahs, 61)
Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 54)
Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers, Western Force, 16)
Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils, Queensland Reds, 27)
Backs (16)
Filipo Daugunu (#931, Wests Bulldogs, Queensland Reds, 12)
Tane Edmed (#990, West Harbour Juniors, NSW Waratahs, 2)
Josh Flook (#972, Brothers Rugby, Queensland Reds, 4)
Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 45)
Max Jorgensen (#984, Balmain Wolves, NSW Waratahs, 13)
Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 43)
Ryan Lonergan (uncapped, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 0)
Tom Lynagh (#977, University of Queensland, Queensland Reds, 6)
Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 47)
James O’Connor (#832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee, Crusaders (New Zealand), 66)
Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 31)
Harry Potter (#989, Moorabbin Rams, Western Force, 5)
Hamish Stewart (#986, Toowoomba Bears, Western Force, 2)
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, The Kings School, NSW Waratahs, 10)
Corey Toole (#992, Wagga Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, 1)
Nic White (#875, Maitland Blacks, Western Force, 75)
Rugby Championship
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
2
1
1
0
6
2
2
1
1
0
5
3
2
1
1
0
4
4
2
1
1
0
4
Unavailable for selection due to injury
Charlie Cale
Massimo De Lutiis
Ben Donaldson
Matt Faessler
Langi Gleeson
Jake Gordon
Noah Lolesio
Dylan Pietsch
Luke Reimer
Tom Wright