Townsville Test: Wallabies Fight To Stop Pumas' Rising Momentum
Townsville Test: Wallabies Fight To Stop Pumas' Rising Momentum
Australia faces Argentina in Townsville. The Wallabies seek consistency under Joe Schmidt, while Los Pumas chase back-to-back Rugby Championship wins.
Saturday’s clash in Townsville feels like more than just Round 3 of The Rugby Championship.
For Australia, it’s about reasserting control on home soil after an inconsistent start to Joe Schmidt’s tenure.
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For Argentina, it’s about riding the momentum of an historic win over New Zealand in Buenos Aires and proving it wasn’t a one-off.
Form And Selection Shifts
The Wallabies come in after splitting two matches in South Africa — a win in Pretoria followed by a 30-22 defeat in Cape Town — leaving them with questions to answer.
Captain Harry Wilson returns at No. 8 after injury, pushing Tom Hooper into lock.
Tom Lynagh also takes over at fly-half, demoting veteran James O’Connor to the bench, while Andrew Kellaway slots in at fullback.
Perhaps the biggest headline is Carlo Tizzano’s recall to the bench, his first squad involvement since the fallout from the Lions series controversy in July.
Los Pumas also show three changes.
Tomas Albornoz, the hero of their Round 2 win, is sidelined with a dislocated finger, meaning Santiago Carreras wears the No 10 jersey again.
Joel Sclavi replaces Pedro Delgado at tighthead, and Marcos Kremer returns to the back row, pushing Pablo Matera to No. 8.
On the bench, Felipe Contepomi has rolled the dice with two uncapped players — prop Boris Wenger and utility back Gerónimo Prisciantelli.
Styles Collide
The contrast in approaches is striking.
Australia has kicked more than any other side in the Championship (57 kicks in play) but with the shortest average distance (20 meters).
The Wallabies will try to squeeze territory, backed by Nic White’s box kicks and Lynagh’s distribution.
Argentina, meanwhile, leads the competition in carries (277) and dominant contacts (37%), with Matera the tournament’s top ball-carrier. Lucio Cinti adds bite in midfield, leading all players in tackle breaks (11).
Discipline and accuracy will be key.
Argentina has lost four of its last five tests outside of South America, while Australia’s defensive lapses are costly — conceding 20+ first-half points in back-to-back games for the first time in years.
The Wallabies will look to Fraser McReight at the breakdown and Max Jorgensen out wide, who is on a three-game try-scoring streak and has broken the line twice in each of his last six tests.
The Stakes In Townsville
History is split.
Argentina have won three of the last four against Australia, including a record 67-27 hammering in 2024, but the Wallabies have taken eight of their last nine against Los Pumas in Queensland.
With both sides sitting in the middle of a congested Championship table, this match has genuine semifinal energy; momentum here could define the rest of the campaign.
Expect bruising carries, clever kicking duels and a match decided by whichever side keeps its nerve.
For the Wallabies, it’s about finding rhythm under Schmidt.
For Los Pumas, it’s about backing up the biggest home win in their history with another giant step forward.
Australia Roster
15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Tom Hooper, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Filipo Daugunu
Argentina Roster
15 Juan Cruz Mallía, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo García, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martín González, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 1 Mayco Vivas
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Boris Wenger, 18 Francisco Coria Marchetti, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Joaquín Oviedo, 21 Agustín Moyano, 22 Gerónimo Prisciantelli, 23 Benjamin Elizalde
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