As Joe Schmidt gambled on taking just one specialist openside flanker to Argentina, the Wallabies coach called up hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa for the first time in three years in a 35-man squad for the two-Test tour.
Fresh from returning from a three-season stint in France, Paenga-Amosa was one of a handful of new faces to the squad as the Wallabies attempt to snap their eight-Test losing streak in The Rugby Championship.
Joining the 28-year-old in the squad is versatile prop Tom Robertson, lock Josh Canham, back-rower Langi Gleeson and midfielder David Feliuai.
Feliuai, the uncapped Brumbies recruit, replaces Hunter Paisami, who will miss the rest of the TRC. His inclusion puts him in a tussle with Force midfielder Hamish Stewart to replace Paisami, who had started in all five Tests to date this year.
Once again, Marika Koroibete is the only foreign-based Wallaby in the squad, which will fly to Argentina on Friday.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (c) is in line to play his first Test since mid-2021. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
But it’s the decision to only include one specialist openside flanker that will raise eyebrows, with two-Test No.7 Carlo Tizzano trusted to continue filling the role in the absence of Fraser McReight and Liam Wright. Luke Reimer, who came off the bench during the Wallabies’ 33-7 loss to the Springboks in Brisbane, wasn’t included.
Two years ago, McReight was catapulted into the Wallabies’ starting side to face Michael Cheika’s men after Michael Hooper withdrew for personal reasons.
But Schmidt has opted to just take the one specialist No.7 in his side. Instead, Schmidt will likely rely on Gleeson and Tom Hooper to provide some backup in the role. Seru Uru, who was handed a debut against the Boks on Saturday after several concussions to the Wallabies’ forward pack, was another left out.
The decision contrasts his compatriot Scott Robertson’s decision to go heavy on flankers in his All Blacks side, with the perennial Super Rugby winner picking three traditional No.7s in his back-row – Ardie Savea, Dalton Papili’i, Ethan Blackadder – to take on Los Pumas over the past fortnight, with another openside flanker Sam Cane picked on the bench.
The Wallabies will head to Argentina as slight outsiders, with Schmidt hoping to break a two-match losing streak against Los Pumas dating back to Dave Rennie’s second clash on South American soil in 2022.
They will head to Buenos Aires knowing the task ahead won’t be easy, with Felipe Contepomi’s men surprising the All Blacks 38-30 in their first-up clash in Wellington.
“It’s been a challenging couple of weeks but as a coaching group we are keen to continue trying to help a mostly consistent group go forward,” Schmidt said in a statement.
“The Pumas have a talented and robust squad, which, along with the travel, will require further improvement from our squad.”
Joe Schmidt has picked just one specialist No.7 in his 35-man squad for the two-Test tour of Argentina, with Carlo Tizzano preferred ahead of Luke Reimer (R). (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
The return of Paenga-Amosa comes at the expense of rising Brumbies rake Billy Pollard.
The experienced hooker returns to the Wallabies mix after three successful seasons at Montpellier, who he won the French Top 14 with in 2022.
“Before I went to France, the hooker position was a very loose position,” Paenga-Amosa told The Roar Rugby podcast last month.
“You’d see hookers on the edge like Codie Taylor – Dane Coles is another great example on the edge – and they’re able to make the run down the sideline and gas wingers and make 20-metre cut-out passes. I was watching them and thinking, ‘Bro, these guys are world-class players. I’m going to be like that.’
“Going to France really showed me what I’m good at.
“I’m just going to be honest, I’m not that guy that’s going to burn players on the edge. I’m not that guy that will run out wide and step the fullback and chuck a 30-metre pass. That’s just not me, man. I’m a bigger body. I’d say, I’ve got probably five to eight kilos on those boys.
“I’ve understood going to France that my position is to be tight, to play the tight game, try and get over the ball as much as I can and then try and turn the ball over, or just be a pest in the ruck, take tough carries. Even if I do get banged left, right, and centre – that’s my job because I am a bigger body.”
The 14-Test hooker added that his experience in France had helped hone his skill-set.
“I think another one is also my set-piece,” Paenga-Amosa said. “Like scrummaging was a big one over there.
“Everyone knows that tight-heads like taking that angle. For example, Nella’s [Taniela Tupou] very good at it and everybody knows, or every hooker knows, like, ‘Hey, this week I’m going against Nella. I’ve got to drop my left shoulder. I’ve got to protect my loose head.’
“The reality of French rugby is everyone’s like Nella. That’s the truth. I wouldn’t say everyone’s like him in terms of power – Nella’s just a freak – but everyone scrums like that. Everyone takes that angle, comes hard at your neck, and tries to break the seam between the loose-head and the hooker.
“I feel like that’s an area I had to improve on. And I’m still improving, but I feel like I’ve got a lot better as a scrummager.”
Robertson, who is one of six props along with James Slipper, who could break George Gregan’s national record of 139 appearances on the two-Test tour, joined the Wallabies ahead of the 18-point loss to the Springboks in Perth.
Joe Schmidt . (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The 29-year-old, who spent the previous year in England studying at Oxford during an injury-forced period off, has been picked ahead of Zane Nonggorr.
As well as bringing some much needed experience, the prop has the ability of playing on both sides of the scrum.
Canham’s inclusion also hints that Schmidt could be looking to play a taller back-rower, with six players capable of playing in the second-row.
There are also three playmakers in the squad, with Tom Lynagh included despite being under an injury cloud after battling confidence with his hamstring.
Wallabies squad
Forwards (19)
Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Angus Blyth, Josh Canham, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Isaac Kailea, Josh Nasser, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson
Backs (16)
Ben Donaldson, David Feliuai, Josh Flook, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright
Unavailable for selection
Kurtley Beale, Charlie Cale, Filipo Daugunu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Bayley Kuenzle, Rob Leota, Lachlan Lonergan, Fraser McReight, Hunter Paisami, David Porecki, Blake Schoupp, Liam Wright
The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies 7 defeated by South Africa 33 on Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies 12 defeated by South Africa 30 on Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies v Argentina, 8:00 am AEST, Sunday September 1 at Estadio Uno, La Plata
Wallabies v Argentina, 5:00 am AEST, Sunday September 8 at Estadio Colon, Santa Fe
Wallabies v New Zealand, 3:45pm AEST, Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand, 5:05pm AEST, Saturday September 28 at Sky Stadium, Wellington
