West Harbour junior Tane Edmed has earned his first start for the Wallabies, named at flyhalf for Saturday afternoon’s sold-out Test against Argentina in Sydney.
Born and bred in the harbour city, the Test is also Edmed’s first on home soil, having made his debut in Ireland last year and played in the Wallabies recent Test against South Africa in Cape Town. He replaces Tom Lynagh who is managing a hamstring strain.
Edmed’s one of four changes to the starting side from the team’s last-minute win in Townsville, with Queensland’s Hunter Paisami set to feature in a gold jersey for the first time in 2025 – named at inside centre to replace Len Ikitau who has a laceration on his knee that has failed to heal enough to take the field on Saturday. Paisami will partner two-try scorer Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the midfield.
All-time appearance record holder James Slipper will move just one Test away from becoming the first player to wear the gold jersey on 150 occasions, when he runs out in the number one jersey for his 149th match for Australia. He will combine with hooker Billly Pollard and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou in the front row.
Western Force skipper Jeremy Williams returns to the starting second row alongside Tom Hooper, with Nick Frost being managed due to a tight back.
The remaining run-on side is unchanged with Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson named to continue their combination as the loose forward trio. Wilson will again captain the team.
Sydney pair Andrew Kellaway and Max Jorgensen will start at fullback and wing respectively, on what is familiar turf at Allianz Stadium, with Olympian Corey Toole set for his first Test in his home state.
Queensland duo Josh Nasser (replacement hooker) and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (replacement lock) have been named to play their first Tests of 2025, with Angus Bell and Zane Nonggorr completing the substitute front row. Carlo Tizzano is again the back row cover.
The replacement backs remain the same from Townsville with Tate McDermott and James O’Connor the substitute halves, with Filipo Daugunu providing versatility in rounding out the matchday 23.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “While managing injuries is always a challenge, we’re excited to have some fresh bodies who have been training hard with the group for a number of weeks and are keen to contribute.
“Argentina led for the whole game in Townsville until the very end and we’re very aware of the threat they’ll pose on Saturday afternoon. We’ll need to be better than we were last week.”
1. James Slipper (148 Tests) - #843; Bond Pirates
2. Billy Pollard (13 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
3. Taniela Tupou (62 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby
4. Jeremy Williams (17 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
5. Tom Hooper (16 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
6. Rob Valetini (55 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (32 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (28 Tests) - #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Nic White (76 Tests) - #875; Maitland Blacks
10. Tane Edmed (2 Tests) - #990; West Harbour Juniors
11. Corey Toole (2 Tests) - #992; Wagga Crows
12. Hunter Paisami (31 Tests) - #932; Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (11 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Max Jorgensen (14 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Andrew Kellaway (44 Tests) - #943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club
Substitutes
16. Josh Nasser (6 Tests) - #979; Easts Rugby (Brisbane)
17. Angus Bell (42 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
18. Zane Nonggorr (15 Tests) - #966; Gold Coast Eagles
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (41 Tests) - #914; Randwick
20. Carlo Tizzano (9 Tests) - #982; University of Western Australia
21. Tate McDermott (48 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
22. James O’Connor (67 Tests) - #832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee
23. Filipo Daugunu (12 Tests) - #931, Wests Bulldogs)
Wallabies 21 defeated Fiji 18 on Sunday July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Wallabies 19 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 27 on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies 26 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 29 on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies 22 defeated the British & Irish Lions 12 on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies 38 defeated South Africa 22 on Saturday August 16 at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Wallabies 22 defeated by South Africa 30 on Saturday August 23 at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Wallabies 28 defeated Argentina 24 on Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies v Argentina at 2:00pm AEST on Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand at 3:05pm AEST on Saturday September 27, Eden Park, Auckland
Wallabies v New Zealand at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies v Japan at 4:50pm AEDT on Saturday October 25 at National Stadium, Tokyo
Wallabies v England, at 2:10am AEDT on Sunday November 2 at Allianz Stadium, London
Wallabies v Italy at 4:40am AEDT on Sunday November 9 at Bluenergy Stadium, Udine
Wallabies v Ireland at 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 16 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin Wallabies v France at 7:10am on Sunday November 23 at Stade de France, Paris
