Jed Holloway to make Wallabies debut as part of shake-up to starting team

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has made a host of changes to his team for the Test against Argentina.

A head knock at training has sidelined Wallabies hooker David Porecki. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Waratahs back-rower Jed Holloway will make his Wallabies debut on Sunday against Argentina in one of seven changes to Australia’s side that started in last month’s series-deciding 21-17 loss to England.

Out of the starting 15 from the SCG battle are injured pair David Porecki (concussion) and Samu Kerevi (knee), prop Taniela Tupou, lock Nick Frost, back-rower Harry Wilson, flyhalf Noah Lolesio and fullback Reece Hodge.

Debutant Holloway replaces Wilson at flanker, while the six others recalled to the starting team by Wallabies coach Dave Rennie for the Rugby Championship clash in Mendoza are forwards Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa and Darcy Swain, and backs Quade Cooper, Len Ikitau and Jordan Petaia.

Outside centre Ikitau will partner Hunter Paisami, who shifts to the inside centre spot usually occupied by Kerevi, who didn’t make the trip to Argentina to instead play for Australia’s Rugby Sevens side at the Commonwealth Games, where he suffered a serious knee injury.

Fainga’a will start at hooker are the replacement for Porecki, who was ruled out after suffering a head knock at training.

The Waratahs’ Porecki started in all three of Australia’s Tests against England last month and was again set to play this weekend.

✈️ Billy's on his way to join the squad in Argentina as injury cover at hooker. #Wallabies@eToroAU#ARGvAUSpic.twitter.com/mCw8ph9xzF

— Wallabies (@wallabies) August 3, 2022

However, he now must stand down for 12 days as part of World Rugby’s concussion protocols.

With Porecki sidelined, Rennie has made the decision to fly Brumbies hooker Billy Pollard – who was in the Australia A squad for last month’s Pacific Nations Cup – to Argentina.

Former Queensland Reds star Cooper – who missed the series against England in the warm-up before the first Test in Perth – will return at flyhalf at the expense of the Brumbies’ Lolesio.

The Argentine team will be coached by former Wallabies mentor Michael Cheika.

Wallabies fullback Tom Wright said his team was not focused on any type of rivalry with Cheika

“We don’t talk about it,” Wright said.

“If we’re too busy worrying about the opposition coach we’ve probably got our head in the wrong space preparation-wise.”

Wallabies team to play Argentina: James Slipper, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Matt Philip, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Marika Koroibete, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Jordan Petaia, Tom Wright. Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Matt Gibbon, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Reece Hodge.