Injury-ravaged Wallabies face lowest-ever ranking if they fail against Argentina

It’s no secret Argentina will be targeting Australia’s hookers and playmakers as the team struggles with consistency in the key positions, as the Wallabies face their biggest games in history.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 06: Taniela Tupou of the Wallabies celebrates a try during the men's International Test match between Australia Wallabies and Wales at Allianz Stadium on July 06, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

An injury-depleted Wallabies squad departs for Argentina on Friday for one of the most important tours in Australian rugby history.

The stakes are enormous.

If the Wallabies fail to win one of their two games in Argentina, they are set to fall to 10th in the world rankings and below Fiji.

They are already at an all-time low of ninth, below Italy, Scotland and Argentina.

Following two comprehensive losses to world champion South Africa on home soil, Joe Schmidt’s men face daunting missions in La Plata (Sunday, September 1, 8am AEST) and Santa Fe (Sunday, September 7, 5am AEST) to turn around their Rugby Championship campaign and halt their slide down the rankings.

But they will be without inside centre Hunter Paisami, winger Filipo Daugunu, backrowers Fraser McReight, Liam Wright, Charlie Cale and Rob Leota, while hooker David Porecki is still sidelined with his Achilles problem.

Australia's Hunter Paisami stopped by the Springboks defence in the heavy loss in Perth. Picture: AFP

Paisami injured a knee in last week’s loss to the Springboks in Perth and is set to miss the remainder of the Rugby Championship, which finishes with back-to-back games against the All Blacks following the Argentina tour.

Daugunu fractured his fibula bone in the first game against the Boks in Brisbane, while key forward McReight missed the two Boks games with a thumb injury.

Schmidt’s first captain, Wright, hasn’t played since the first Wales Test last month because of a shoulder problem.

Porecki hasn’t played a game this year.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa has been recalled to the squad and could play his first Test in three years after signing for the Western Force for 2025, having played in France with Montpellier since 2021.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa has been recalled to the Wallabies squad and could play his first Test in three years. Picture: Getty Images for Rugby Australia

New Brumbies recruit and uncapped David Feliuai has been selected for his first trip. Picture: Getty Images

Paenga-Amosa comes in for Billy Pollard, who has been dropped from the squad along with Brumbies teammate and openside flanker Luke Reimer.

Langi Gleeson is back in the squad as backrow cover.

Carlo Tizzano has stepped up brilliantly in place of the injured McReight to establish himself as a strong Test-quality No.7.

But he is the only specialist openside flanker in Schmidt’s 34-man squad, a calculated risk that relies on the 24-year-old not picking up an injury.

If Tizzano is sidelined on tour, Gleeson and Tom Hooper will be the leading candidates to play the specialised position.

The good news for Schmidt is that some reinforcements have returned, including prop Taniela Tupou, who missed the Boks series after his father died.

Carlo Tizzano stepped up brilliantly in place of the injured McReight to establish himself as a strong Test-quality No.7. Picture: Getty Images

Lock Nick Frost and lock/backrower Jeremy Williams have returned from injuries to be selected, while Josh Canham has been selected for his first trip to boost the lock stocks.

But in key positions, questions remain.

So far, no player has declared themselves a viable starting alternative to Porecki.

Matt Faessler and Josh Nasser have been given their chances and failed to stamp their authority on the position. Paenga-Amosa may get his chance on tour.

The playmaking situation is also a concern.

Noah Lolesio is the incumbent five-eighth, although the Wallabies’ limp attack against the Boks puts him on shaky ground.

However, Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh are yet to show they can transform Australia’s attack.

Noah Lolesio is the incumbent five-eighth, although the Wallabies’ limp attack against the Boks puts him on shaky ground. Picture: Getty Images

Now with Paisami out, Australia must find a new No.12.

Schmidt will have to gamble regardless.

He could opt for dual playmakers, partnering Lolesio with Donaldson or Hamish Stewart.

Or he could opt for another power-running style player, having selected new Brumbies recruit and uncapped David Feliuai for his first trip.

But given these selection uncertainties, it will be no secret that the Pumas will target Australia at the set-piece to put pressure on the hooker, and attack the midfield given the inevitable new combinations.

There are many questions around the Wallabies. In the next fortnight, they need to provide answers.

Originally published as Injury-ravaged Wallabies face lowest-ever ranking if they fail against Argentina