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Wallabies confirm Michael Hooper’s replacement for Los Pumas clash
Flanker Michael Hooper will miss the Wallabies’ flash with Michael Cheika’s Pumas on Saturday after suffering an injury at training earlier this week.
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As it’s been widely reported, Hooper picked up a calf injury in the leadup to the clash with Argentina in Sydney. Rising star Fraser McReight has replaced the veteran in the No. 7 jersey for the match.
The Wallabies have made five changes to their starting side ahead of their first Test on home soil in 2023. Prop James Slipper will captain the side, and is set to pack down alongside David Porecki and Allan Alaalatoa in the front row.
After making his Test debut last weekend in Wallaby gold, towering lock Richie Arnold has been handed a start this week. Arnold will combine with La Rochelle enforcer Will Skelton in the second row.
Jed Holloway and Fraser McReight will get their first taste of international rugby this year on the flanks, while Rob Valetini has retained his spot at No. 8.
As for the backline, there are only two changes to the group that faced South Africa.
Nic White and Quade Cooper will link up in the halves once again, while world-class midfielder Samy Kerevi and electric winger Mark Nawaqanitawase come into the run-on side.
“As a squad we’re running a marathon this year, and we didn’t get off the start line like we wanted to, but we get another opportunity to find our rhythm this weekend against a tough Argentinian side,” coach Eddie Jones said in a statement.
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“We have two Tests on home soil this year, so we have to have to roll up our sleeves on Saturday and put in a performance that dries Australians to show pride in the Wallabies.”
The Wallabies take on Michael Cheika’s Los Pumas at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium on Saturday at 7.45 pm AEST.
Wallabies team to take on Argentina
- James Slipper (c)
- David Porecki
- Allan Alaalatoa
- Richie Arnold
- Will Skelton
- Jed Holloway
- Fraser McReight
- Rob Valetini
- Nic White
- Quade Cooper
- Marika Koroibete
- Samu Kerevi
- Len Ikitau
- Mark Nawaqanitawase
- Tom Wright
Replacements:
- Jordan Uelese
- Angus Bell
- Pone Fa’amausili
- Matt Philip
- Rob Leota
- Josh Kemeny
- Tate McDermott
- Carter Gordon
Comments on RugbyPass
End to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
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