Suaalii benched as Kiss makes changes for Pumas Test

Wallabies coach Les Kiss has opted for rotation ahead of Saturday’s Test against Argentina, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii named on the bench for the second time in his career and regular captain Harry Wilson is out.

Suaalii was last named as a replacement in his second cap against Wales in November 2024, while Wilson is being rested after 14 successive appearances as the captain. Brumbies tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa will captain Australia for the seventh time when they play the Pumas in Jujuy early Sunday morning [AEDT].

Kiss said the decision to select Suaalii, who has 22 Test rugby caps for Australia, was due to the Waratahs centre managing a hamstring strain that was initially sustained against Japan in Osaka.

“Joseph is coming back from that hamstring [strain], a slight little twinge there, he trained well [in Argentina],” Kiss said.

“[But] we feel that there’s an opportunity just to maintain some continuity in that midfield ... Joseph can likely cover 13 at this stage. It’s the first position he’ll cover because we know Zac [Isaac Henry] can go to 12 if we need to as well; it’s just trying to use our resources in different ways.”

Kiss also confirmed Wilson will remain captain for the rest of the season and picked Alaalatoa to dovetail with Reds captain Fraser McReight who will likely finish the game as leader.

“I know Allan will do the job that we require, and Fraser will finish it off for us,” Kiss said.

Alaalatoa swaps into the starting lineup for Racing 92 prop Taniela Tupou who is out after scoring two tries in the 39-point victory over Japan in Townsville .

Tupou will not be available for the Bledisloe Cup series in October. Kiss said the prop was being managed and will likely return to face Argentina in the second Test in Mendoza next week.

“So we’re just doing that in a smart way and he can come into play next week (in Mendoza) ... it may not seem like order from what you’re seeing, but it’s making sense internally with the players in particular why we’re doing those things.”

Loosehead prop Isaac Kailea will start and play his first Test in two years with Waratahs teammate Angus Bell, who has been named on the bench. Kailea played 12 times for the Waratahs this season.

Kiss said he plans to build two quality Test lineups ahead of the 2027 World Cup, with Kailea being given time to stake his place in a position of relative scarcity for the Wallabies after working on his scrummaging.

“He’s (Kailea) a powerful athlete, supremely gifted with his footwork, he’s good over the ball, very good skills,” Kiss said.

“He’s hard to handle as a ball carrier and he certainly is someone we want to see at this (Test) level, particularly in the set piece ... building the necessary depth in that area is crucial for us.”