Wallabies' No 10 selection tussle and Argentina Test matchup
Consensus Summary
The Wallabies are navigating a competitive No 10 selection battle ahead of next year’s World Cup, with Ben Donaldson earning his first start in two years against Argentina in Mendoza. Coach Les Kiss has benched Carter Gordon despite his fitness, citing a need to evaluate all contenders. The team is seeking five-straight wins for the first time since 2021, following a tight victory in the first Test of the series. Donaldson’s return marks his first Test since a heavy 67-27 loss to Argentina in 2024, while Ryan Lonergan remains a consistent starter at scrum-half. Kiss has reshuffled the squad, with Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii forming a new centre pairing, and Filipo Daugunu making his first start of the season on the wing. The team’s focus is on refining game management and kicking execution ahead of the World Cup, with a cultural shift under Kiss emphasizing player trust and balance between training and off-field activities.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Ben Donaldson made his first start at fly-half for the Wallabies in two years against Argentina in Mendoza
- Carter Gordon was benched despite being fit, having played in last week’s first Test which ended in a victory 27-21
- Ryan Lonergan remains at scrum-half, starting his seventh consecutive match
- The Wallabies are preparing for next year’s World Cup, with Gordon still considered the likely No 10 for the tournament
- Les Kiss is the current Wallabies Test coach, having taken over from Joe Schmidt
- The Wallabies have played Argentina in Mendoza, following a tour that included Osaka, Townsville, and Jujuy
- The Wallabies suffered a 67-27 drubbing by Argentina in the second Test of the tour in 2024
- The Wallabies are seeking five-straight wins for the first time since 2021
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Donaldson’s elevation marks his first start since the 67-27 drubbing by Argentina in 2024, with multiple players (Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, James O’Connor, Tane Edmed, Declan Meredith, Carter Gordon) having been given the run-on assignment since then
- Les Kiss mentioned that the team has been working on game management and kicking execution, noting issues on the weekend a few times
- Pollard highlighted a cultural shift since Kiss took over, emphasizing trust in player instincts and a balanced approach to training and off-field activities
- The Wallabies are focused on narrowing down their No 10 options for the rest of this season, with consistency a priority for next year
- Gordon’s questionable decisions in last week’s Test included an ineffective midfield grubber and kicking dead when territory was available
- Tate McDermott was replaced on the bench by Kalani Thomas, who is his Reds teammate
- The Wallabies won a tight match a week earlier, with the rematch against Argentina scheduled for Sunday morning (AEST)
- Les Kiss is 3-0 as Test coach, with Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii starting together in the centres for the first time under his tenure
- Tom Wright will play his 50th Test at fullback, while Billy Pollard and Josh Nasser will share hooking duties
- Hunter Paisami was left out to make room for Ikitau and Suaalii in the centres
- Filipo Daugunu earns his first start of the season on the wing, replacing Harry Potter, who was yellow-carded last week
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian states the Wallabies won last week’s first Test 27-21, while the ABC describes it as a tight win without specifying the score
- The Guardian mentions the Wallabies are chasing five-straight wins since 2021, while the ABC states they are chasing five-straight wins for the first time since 2021, implying a difference in context
Source Articles
Wallabies’ search for No 10 continues as Les Kiss tinkers again for second Argentina Test | Jack Snape
Ben Donaldson will be given a rare chance to stake a claim as Australia’s flyhalf in his first start in two years The Wallabies are no closer to finding their World Cup No 10 after Carter Gordon was relegated to the bench despite being fit to play against Argentina in Mendoza on Saturday (Sunday AEST). Instead, Ben Donaldson has been given another chance to impress at flyhalf – his first start in two years – outside the now-established run on scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan. It is clear the No 10 jersey
Kiss makes selection gamble for Wallabies-Argentina rematch
Ben Donaldson will wear the Wallabies' number 10 for the first time in two years while Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Len Ikitau have been returned to the centres.
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