Wallabies coach wary of task against Pumas
Fullback Jock Campbell has earned his first call-up while lock Rory Arnold is back in the Wallabies fold among a swag of new faces included for their two-test Rugby Championship tour of Argentina.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has revealed a 36-player squad ahead of their first test against the Michael Cheika-coached Pumas in Mendoza on August 7, with the second in nearby San Juan a week later.
The Australians are looking to rebound after losing the three-test series against England, going down 21-17 in the decider last Saturday in Sydney.
‘‘We were massively disappointed on the weekend but we’re only three matches into a 14-test season so we need to take the lessons on board quickly and learn from them,’’ Rennie said yesterday.
‘‘To be able to pick guys who have performed well in the Australia A programme against quality international opposition is a massive positive and we’re looking forward to welcoming them to the mob next week.’’
As well as Campbell and Arnold, Australia A representatives Fraser McReight (flanker), prop Matt Gibbon and centre Lalakai Foketi have been included after impressing in the recent Pacific Nations Cup in Fiji.
Two-test inside centre Irae Simone returns to the national frame since 2020 after a stand-out Super Rugby Pacific campaign with the Brumbies.
Rennie is permitted to bring in three overseas-based players and with Samu Kerevi missing the Argentina-leg on Commonwealth Games Sevens, the door opened for Arnold. The 27-test lock, who has been playing in France, joins the squad with Cadeyrn Neville (knee), Izack Rodda (foot) and Ned Hanigan (knee) all missing the Rugby Championship.
Japan-based Quade Cooper injured a calf in the warmup for the first England test but the veteran first five-eighth is fit to return after leading the Wallabies to five straight wins last year.
They also have Waratahs lock Jed Holloway and Brumbies forwards Darcy Swain and Scott Sio back on deck, but prop Angus Bell misses after suffering a toe injury in the third England test.
Australia have historically dominated Argentina but the Pumas have their tails up after recently claiming a series win over Scotland.
Cheika oversaw the Wallabies between 2014-2019 and was named head coach of Argentina in March, replacing Mario Ledesma.
The Wallabies will assemble on the Gold Coast next Tuesday before travelling to Argentina on Friday.
‘‘We’re well aware of how tough the challenge is of playing Argentina two weeks in a row on their home soil and they’ll be full of confidence after their series win over Scotland,’’ Rennie said.