Wallabies boosted as three outside backs likely to be fit for Argentina

Les Kiss will continue to test the limits of his Wallabies unit in Argentina, adamant its more flexible than even the players think.

A squad for the two-Test tour – their first game is in San Salvador on August 29 – is likely to be named on Wednesday.

It’s understood Max Jorgensen, who limped off with sore ribs after a collision in the side’s big Townsville win over Japan on Saturday, will be fit to travel.

Centres Len Ikitau (ankle) and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (hamstring) are also firming for returns, giving their coach more welcome headaches after casting the net wide in his first two games in charge.

Kiss left his seasoned props on the bench in Osaka then rested key trio Rob Valetini, Allan Alaalatoa and Josh Canham in the Japan rematch.

With Suaalii – whose best position has become a constant talking point – out he gave Isaac Henry a shot in the No.13.

He, alongside the likes of Lachlan Shaw, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Massimo De Lutiis that were given an opportunity, delivered.

Kiss also shifted No.8 Harry Wilson into the second row to finish the Townsville game, allowing pilferers Carlo Tizzano and Fraser McReight time in tandem.

Tom Hooper (shoulder) was also available to play in North Queensland but was unused, highlighting the smorgasbord of options available to Kiss against the world No.7 Pumas.

“We’re more capable of mixing our team up than we think,” he said.

The coach, with next year’s World Cup in mind, has been bold at the selection table despite the must-win nature of his first two Tests in charge.

Just don’t call his approach experimental.

“Are they experiments? I think there’s a lot of good men in that team that know they can flex into different positions, so I like to think that it’s more than just experimentation,” he said.

“It’s just having a real trust and faith that they can do this in different ways, and that we don’t lose momentum about what we are and what we do.

“So I’m not rebutting the word, but I’m just saying I think it’s more that we trust that we have a different way that we can use our resources. That’s what I’m trying to make sure we understand.”

The world No.8 side have won three-straight Tests, scoring more than 50 points in two of those victories, since a six-Test losing run either side of the calendar year.

Argentina beat Wales in between home Nations Championship losses to Scotland and England, while South Africa beat them 17-10 in Buenos Aires earlier this month.

Wins for Australia against the Pumas would likely seem them jump them into seventh on the world rankings and put pressure on Scotland and England, who sit two and three points respectively ahead of the Wallabies in sixth and fifth.

Meanwhile teenage star Treyvon Pritchard’s contract extension has been inked, nearly three weeks after his retention – and subsequent rejection of NRL newcomers PNG Chiefs – was first reported.

The Queensland Reds back, already signed for next season, has committed to a further two and has the option of playing sevens for Australia at the 2028 Olympics.

It comes a day after older brother Kadin, also a Chiefs target, committed to the ACT Brumbies.