MENDOZA, Argentina — As Australia’s Wallabies prepare to face the Pumas in the second and final match of their rugby test series in Mendoza, head coach Les Kiss has rolled out a series of tactical lineup adjustments, headlined by the return of Harry Wilson to the starting side and the team captaincy. The match is set to kick off this Saturday, fresh off Australia’s narrow 27-21 victory in the opening test last week.
One of the most notable changes comes at the flyhalf position, where Ben Donaldson will earn his first starting test nod in the 10 jersey in 2026. He replaces Carter Gordon, who has fully recovered from a recent injury but will drop to the bench for this weekend’s encounter.
In the center pairing, Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Sua’alii will share the midfield for the 17th time across 26 test appearances, marking the first occasion the duo has started together under Kiss’ leadership. Ikitau was sidelined for the first test by injury, while Sua’alii entered the opening match from the reserves bench. Additional backline adjustments see Filipo Daugunu reclaim the starting left wing spot, replacing Harry Potter. Daugunu will line up alongside right winger Max Jorgensen and fullback Tom Wright, who is set to celebrate a career milestone with his 50th test cap for Australia.
Up front, Wilson returns to his backrow position at the back of the scrum, and with his return to the starting lineup, he resumes the captaincy duties that prop Allan Ala’alatoa held in the first test. Wilson will link up with returning backrow starters Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight. In the front row, props Taniela Tupou and Angus Bell are back in the starting 15, alongside hooker Billy Pollard. First test starting hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa has been rested and omitted from the 23-man match day squad, with Josh Nasser, Aidan Ross and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto named as reserves.
Kiss explained that the changes balance the need for fresh energy after last week’s physical opening test with the goal of building consistent test experience across the entire Wallabies squad. “After a physical test last week, we’ve brought in some fresh bodies alongside some existing combinations as we continue to look to build test experience across the group,” Kiss noted. The coach added that he anticipates a fierce backlash from Argentina, which will be hungry to level the series on home soil. “We’re expecting a strong response from Argentina on Saturday and we know we will need to keep stepping up our game in all areas,” he said.
A win on Saturday would hand Australia a fifth consecutive test victory, and would mark the first time the Wallabies have claimed a full series sweep on Argentine soil.