Argentina v Australia: men’s rugby union international – live

Australia have completely reshaped their pack with Allan Alaalatoa taking over the captaincy from the rested Harry Wilson.

The Brumbies prop will lead the Wallabies for the seventh time, while Isaac Kailea returns to the starting side for his first Test since 2024. Brandon Paenga-Amosa starts at hooker, with Alaalatoa completing an entirely new front row.

Rob Valetini moves to No 8, with Tom Hooper and Fraser McReight selected on the flanks. Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams reunite in the second row.

There is continuity behind the pack, with Ryan Lonergan and Carter Gordon retained at half-back and Hunter Paisami and Isaac Henry continuing in midfield. Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen remain on the wings, with Tom Wright at fullback.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii returns from injury but starts on the bench, where he offers Australia another powerful option in the backline. Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson also provide experience among the replacements.

Australia: 15 Tom Wright; 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Harry Potter; 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Lonergan; 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Isaac Kailea.

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Charlie Cale, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Ever been sat at the kid’s table at a wedding?

This isn’t quite that, but there is a sense that this is off-Broadway as the Springboks and All Blacks busy themselves in their own personal tussle.

With the Rugby Championship on ice for the self-aggrandising Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, this is a chance for Argentina and Australia to prove they don’t belong on the scrapheap.

Does that put pressure on the sides, or take it off? We’ll find out as a developing Puma side with a propensity to self destruct takes on Les Kiss’s Aussies.

Whatever transpires I hope it’s a good spectacle. Not often a game of footy carries importance beyond the boundary but this is one of them. A message needs to be sent that will be heard in Cape Town and Auckland.

Will it land? We’ll find out when things kick off at 4pm local time/5am AEST.