Three Wallabies with the most to gain from Sydney's Pumas clash

The Wallabies’ Test in Sydney this weekend presents a real litmus test for the depth of Joe Schmidt’s squad.

Four changes to the starting XV, with two more changes to the bench, allow key Wallabies Nick Frost and Len Ikitau to rest tender bodies after playing every Test in 2025 so far.

Likewise, young flyhalf Tom Lynagh is nursing a sore hamstring with Schmidt not wanting to risk a full-blown injury ahead of a crucial Bledisloe series, especially as veteran playmaker James O’Connor is set to miss the clashes as he heads to the UK to join his new club, Leicester Tigers.

There’s only one change made on form, and it appears to be the recall of James Slipper in for Tom Robertson after the Wallabies’ scrum came under pressure early from the Pumas in Townsville.

While changes could destabilise the steady progress of the Wallabies, Schmidt will hope the new faces slot in seamlessly and seize their opportunities.

While Slipper is a mainstay brought back after HIA protocols, three other players must now show their wares this weekend, to the best of their abilities, if they want any chance to be selected in the highly anticipated Bledisloe clashes in the weeks to come.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, second row, 41 caps

After three stellar performances against the British and Irish Lions, playing for three different teams, Salakaia-Loto has made his long-awaited return to the Test scene.

His abrasive carries, astute lineout work, and physical edge around the park made him stand out and lead from the front, particularly for the AUNZ side and the First Nations Pasifika team in July.

July 22 was the last time LSL took to the field, and now, almost two months later, Schmidt has recalled the big lock to step in for a rested Frost.

Discipline and technical proficiency are his two biggest work-ons, and Schmidt will hope Salakaia-Loto has fixed them for when he comes off the bench in Sydney.

Should he steer clear of the penalties, keep his body height low in contact, and be accurate with his clean-outs, then Schmidt will hugely benefit from having his most experienced lock back in the fold.

At 41 caps, Lukhan has played more Tests than any other lock in the squad, and that’s including Will Skelton.

Hunter Paisami, inside centre, 31 caps

Paisami has the biggest shoes to fill, for although pound-for-pound he is bigger than Ikitau, the man he is replacing was regularly the Wallabies’ highest carrier and the biggest impact player.

Ikitau regularly busted over the gainline with ball in hand, setting up those around him for positive carries, and was the side’s glue in defence.

His defensive nous was a great help to young superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii as he learned on the run in Test rugby.

While Paisami, at 31 caps, is an experienced Test campaigner, his skills and playstyle are different from Ikitau’s, and it remains to be seen how this will impact the backline’s flow.

In recent years, Paisami has added a deft kicking game and second ball-playing skill to his toolset, and should the pack give him clean ball, Paisami’s direct and flat at the line play style could unlock Suaalii.

It’s in defence where the biggest question mark remains, because Paisami and Suaalii are both confrontational north-south defenders, and that could land them in hot water with a Los Pumas backline that has shown it can get outside the Wallabies’ defensive structure.

Suaalii must find his voice this weekend, and Paisami must remember to be the cooler head of the partnership, as the pair work to keep an electric Argentinian side at bay.

Tane Edmed, flyhalf, 2 caps

The debate around the flyhalf position is raging on, as Schmidt has selected Sydney-born and bred Edmed for his maiden Test start.

However, what many of the discussions around the playmaker role fail to focus on is that while there are bodies to fill the role, the urgency is about getting potential World Cup playmakers minutes in the jersey.

Edmed is the fourth player to start in the No.10 jersey in 2025, and it is the inconsistency of picks that makes this a far from ideal situation for Schmidt.

But, what is also glossed over is that this Wallabies side is not winning and losing at the hand of whoever wears the No.10 jersey, but rather the other 14 blokes on the field doing their job in being accurate, direct, and purposeful in their individual tasks for the team.

At Allianz, Edmed has a very simple job: plug the corners, hoist the high kicks, make his tackles, and when he gets the call from Paisami and co out wide, be brave enough to trust his good skill set to set the athletes outside of him loose.

Edmed, a player who could barely make the Waratahs bench this year under Dan McKellar, is clearly a tough, skilful playmaker whom Schmidt likes.

So, on Saturday afternoon, Edmed doesn’t need to overplay his hand, but rather trust and implement the plan, and should he do this, he will have done his job in the bid to secure the Wallabies another victory.