Rugby Championship 2025: Wallabies v Argentina

[Grandmaster Flash]

Wallabies Casualty Ward: Backline stocks face baptism by fire against Argentina

The Wallabies are set for a crucial week off before they take the field against Los Pumas for the first of two matches in Townsville, and Joe Schmidt faces a backline reschuffle thanks to several significant injuries.

www.rugby.com.au

Likely Unavailable:
Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon, Harry Potter, Tom Wright, Dylan Pietsch

Unsure/Potential Return:
Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Joseph Aukuso-Sua'ali'i, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Tom Lynagh

Potential Inclusions:
Kurtley Beale, Andy Muirhead, Joey Walton, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Jock Campbell

Available:
Ryan Lonergan, Tane Edmed, Josh Flook, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Corey Toole, Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart

Wallabies Casualty Ward: Forward depth to be tested as Los Pumas loom large

Joe Schmidt faces several massive headaches, with at least 13 starting players injured and several back up options also injured. Here's how the Wallabies forwards stocks stack up

www.rugby.com.au

Likely Unavailable:
Massimo De Lutiis, Allan Ala'alatoa, Charlie Cale, Luke Reimer, Matt Faessler, Lachlan Lonergan, Liam Wright, Blake Schoupp, Harry Johnson-Holmes

Unsure/Potential Return:
James Slipper, Harry Wilson, Taniela Tupou, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Nic Dolly

Potential Inclusions:
Charlie Gamble, Seru Uru, Josh Canham

Available:
Josh Nasser, Billy Pollard, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Aidan Ross, Tom Robertson, Rhys van Nek, Angus Bell, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakia-Loto, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini

Interesting they haven't named Alex Hodgman among the props in this - has he fallen that out of favour?

 

[KOB1987]

Interesting they haven't named Alex Hodgman among the props in this - has he fallen that out of favour?

Zane Nonggorr appears to have fallen out of favour as well. And doesn't the very first post in this thread say that Jake Gordon is good to go?

 

[Wilson]

Interesting they haven't named Alex Hodgman among the props in this - has he fallen that out of favour?

Hodgman has kind of always been out of favour - there's a rumour Schmidt and him don't see eye to eye from their blues days. But there's also a rumour he's headed to medical retirement.

Zane Nonggorr appears to have fallen out of favour as well. And doesn't the very first post in this thread say that Jake Gordon is good to go?

This is not an official listing and the journalist has almost certainly just forgotten Nonggorr. Similarly with Gordon it's not necessarily official, other listings I've seen have him a chance of playing.

 

[KOB1987]

This is not an official listing and the journalist has almost certainly just forgotten Nonggorr. Similarly with Gordon it's not necessarily official, other listings I've seen have him a chance of playing.

Yes I know, I was basically just saying that along with these things and 2/3 of super rugby players being mentioned somewhere in the article I wasn’t reading too much into it.

 

[rugbyAU]

Zane Nonggorr appears to have fallen out of favour as well. And doesn't the very first post in this thread say that Jake Gordon is good to go?

I don’t think Nonggorr has fallen out of favour - came off the bench in the last 3 tests

Gordon is now unlikely for Townsville

 

[Ignoto]

Hodgman has kind of always been out of favour - there's a rumour Schmidt and him don't see eye to eye from their blues days. But there's also a rumour he's headed to medical retirement.

JTS posted on Instagram last week the Reds rehab group and Hodgman was in that group.

Considering how long since Hodgman donned a jersey, I don't think he can realistically be counted on to play this season.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Nonggor has found a role and getting minutes is the best thing for him to keep learning. Such a good prospect to take over from AAA long term as a scrum rock.

I think everyone on here gets the role LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) has in the squad. He's the bopper and when Skelton isn't available I expect him to get the start over Williams. The big body allows Frost and Williams to do what they are good at. Hooper was speaking about how they should set it up with Skelton and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) through to the WC and it made a heaps of sense and has the ability to future proof the pack if something was to happen. He also added it could be worth bringing through another on tour like Amatosero but I'm not so sure of that but I understand the logic of the big body lock.

 

[Major Tom]

Nonggor has found a role and getting minutes is the best thing for him to keep learning. Such a good prospect to take over from AAA long term as a scrum rock.

I think everyone on here gets the role LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) has in the squad. He's the bopper and when Skelton isn't available I expect him to get the start over Williams. The big body allows Frost and Williams to do what they are good at. Hooper was speaking about how they should set it up with Skelton and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) through to the WC and it made a heaps of sense and has the ability to future proof the pack if something was to happen. He also added it could be worth bringing through another on tour like Amatosero but I'm not so sure of that but I understand the logic of the big body lock.

He's a project player for sure. Will need to make some big strides next year.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

He keeps showing enough in some games to warrant the time as long as the sheer size of him at such a young age. Hoping with Phillip he'll find his niche and pressure to compete for jobs alongside Blyth and Grant.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Nah I want a pack of Tupou BPA AAA Skelton LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) Bobby V McReight Wilson to be rolled out at least once.... lineouts are for cowards.

 

[HogansHeros]

Nah I want a pack of Tupou BPA AAA Skelton LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) Bobby V McReight Wilson to be rolled out at least once.... lineouts are for cowards.

Bomb squad for last 25?

 

[MarkJ]

Nah I want a pack of Tupou BPA AAA Skelton LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) Bobby V McReight Wilson to be rolled out at least once.... lineouts are for cowards.

Surely you’d play Hooper at 7 for maximum beef

 

[Wilson]

Skelton out:

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/08/26/exclusive-skelton-out-of-rugby-championship-in-blow-to-wallabies-hopes-for-silverware/

 

[Major Tom]

Skelton out:

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/08/26/exclusive-skelton-out-of-rugby-championship-in-blow-to-wallabies-hopes-for-silverware/

Back for a pre-season game? odd.

 

[Slim 293]

With Skelton out, would you start Hooper at lock?

 

[rugbyAU]

With Skelton out, would you start Hooper at lock?

Williams and Frost and then LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) off the bench

 

[Tomthumb]

With Skelton out, would you start Hooper at lock?

Yes, he's played too well to drop and Wilson deserves to be back in at 8 and captain

 

[Slim 293]

It's certainly tight for spots if Wilson returns and with Valetini back...

I'm not sure if LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) can squeeze his way in without one of Hooper, Williams or Gleeson being dropped... and I wouldn't drop any of them.

 

[John S]

Back for a pre-season game? odd.

Not odd - just within La Rochelle's rights to play hardball under Reg 9.

 

[Major Tom]

Tough one. Frost seems to go best when he has a big boppa to pack with. LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) probably the closest to that. Williams rides the bench for me.