James O’Connor has been axed as the Wallabies’ playmaker for Saturday’s crucial Test against Argentina while Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii and Max Jorgensen were both overlooked for the coveted fullback position with Joe Schmidt opting instead for ‘a safe pair of hands’.

Utility back Andrew Kellaway won the race for the gold number 15 jersey, replacing the injured Tom Wright, while the Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson also returns to lead the side for what looms as a crunch match against the Pumas in Townsville because of the impact it could have on Australia’s chances of a favourable seeding for the 2027 World Cup.

Unwanted by Schmidt during Australia’s series loss to the British & Irish Lions, 35-year-old Connor made a stunning return to the international arena last month when he was recalled to replace rising Queensland star Tom Lynagh after he was sidelined with a head injury.

In one rugby’s greatest upsets of all time, O’Connor led the Wallabies to their first win over South Africa in Johannesburg since 1963.

But with Lynagh given the green light to return, the son of World Cup legend Michael Lynagh has been given the nod to run the backline as the starting five-eighth role with O’Connor dropping to the bench.

With an eye to the future, Schmidt said he was confident Lynagh would slot straight back in after a punishing start to his Test career.

“He’s pretty studious, so he knows how we’re trying to play,” Schmidt said.

“His first three Test match starts were against the Lions. That’s (not) a nice easy way to ease your way in, and it got very physical.

“Obviously some of that was untoward and he’s bounced back from that really well. We’ve got him double-checked and we want to be as prudent with him as possible. He’s very keen to play and will kick us off.”

Defying calls to give Jorgensen or Suaalii a crack at fullback after Wright’s season-ending knee injury in South Africa, Schmidt decided to keep changes to a minimum.

So he retained Jorgensen on the right wing, and Suaalii at outside centre, with Corey Toole, who made his debut against the world champion, on the left wing.

“We’ve got two very young wingers in terms of Test experience,” Schmidt said. “They’re growing into their roles and really enjoying the opportunity.

“To have an experienced player at the back is important, particularly with Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii in the midfield as well. You’ve got Len Ikitau, who’s very experienced. And then we’ve got Tom (Lynagh), who is not, and then we got (halfback) Nic White, who is.

“So that was part of the framework that meant that Andrew Kellaway is a nice, safe pair of hands at the back.”

The return of Wilson at number eight and the unavailability of Will Skelton triggered a reshuffle of the forward pack.

Rob Valetini moves from the back of the scrum to blindside flanker while Bathurst Bulldog Tom Hooper switches from breakaway to lock, replacing Skelton in the second row after he was recalled to his French club side.

The Wallabies will go into the match as slight favourites despite losing four of their last five matches against Argentina, including a record 67-27 thrashing at their most recent encounter in 2024, but wary of the threat the South American’s pose.

“I don’t think there’s a lot of room for complacency. We watched Los Pumas beat the All Blacks,” Schmidt said.

“That’s a big task and it’s not one that we’ve managed in recent times, so we respect their coaches a lot and their players.”

Riding high after their historic win at home over New Zealand last month, the Pumas have kept faith with the core group of players who got the job done against the All Blacks with Felipe Contepomi making just three chances to the starting 15.

As expected, Santiago Carreras was promoted to the starting five-eighth after coming on for the injured regular playmaker Tomos Albornoz. Backrower Marcos Kremer also returns along with prop Joel Sclavi.