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UPDATE: Timani and Robinson set for Wallabies debuts against Argentina

15th September, 2016
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Rob Simmons is back for the Wallabies. (Image. Tim Anger)
15th September, 2016
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Michael Cheika has opted for stability in his Wallabies squad to play Argentina this Saturday, making just the one change to the starting XV that defeated South Africa last weekend.

While Australia’s performance against the Springboks was far from perfect, it was a vast improvement on their two Bledisloe Cup outings against the All Blacks to start the Rugby Championship, and Cheika evidently saw enough to persevere with much of the same playing group.

The only major change has come in the second row. After sticking with the same pairing for the previous two Tests, Cheika has changed things up for the meeting with the Pumas, with Rob Simmons finally earning a recall to the starting line-up at the expense of Kane Douglas.

Simmons hasn’t played for the Wallabies since the ill-fated Bledisloe I clash against the All Blacks in Sydney, instead chipping away for Queensland Country in the National Rugby Championship.

While the starting line-up has remained largely unchanged, Cheika has tinkered with his bench. Waratahs prop Tom Robinson is in line for a Test debut, replacing the injured Allan Alaalatoa, as is Melbourne Rebels back-rower Lopeti Timani.

Timani was named on an extended bench last week before being the unlucky man to be cut prior to kick-off, but the hard-running Rebel has avoided the same fate this time around, with Cheika opting to go with six forwards on his bench in order to handle the physical threat posed by the Pumas.

Timani’s inclusion means Brumbies winger Henry Speight has missed the cut after initially making the nine-man bench in place of Drew Mitchell. It would have been Speight’s first appearance for the Wallabies since he was a part of the side which cruised past Uruguay at last year’s Rugby World Cup.

Like Mitchell, Douglas has been dropped from the side entirely, with Adam Coleman filling the other starting lock spot.

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Coleman is one of two Western Force players who will run out in front of their home fans on Saturday night, with Dane Haylett-Petty retaining his place in the side.

Reece Hodge has also kept his spot on the wing, while Cheika has continued to ignore the calls to shift Israel Folau from fullback to outside-centre. Samu Kerevi has retained his spot in the number 13 jersey.

Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley will once again line up as the Wallabies’ playmaking duo at fly-half and inside-centre respectively, while Dean Mumm will once again start at openside flanker alongside Michael Hooper and David Pocock in the back row.

Saturday night’s match against the Pumas will kick off at nib Stadium in Perth at 6:05pm local time, or 8:05pm AEST, and The Roar is your place to go for all your live blogging and game highlight needs.

Wallabies team to play Argentina on Saturday

1. Scott Sio (21 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (c) (108 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (69 Tests)
4. Rob Simmons (63 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (3 Tests)
6. Dean Mumm (49 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (57 Tests)
8. David Pocock (59 Tests)
9. Will Genia (69 Tests)
10. Quade Cooper (60 Tests)
11. Reece Hodge (2 Tests)
12. Bernard Foley (33 Tests)
13. Samu Kerevi (4 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (6 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (44 Tests)

Reserves (one to be omitted)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (67 Tests)
James Slipper (80 Tests)
Tom Robertson (0 Tests)
Rory Arnold (3 Tests)
Lopeti Timani* (0 Tests)
Sean McMahon (10 Tests)
Nick Phipps (44 Tests)
Tevita Kuridrani (37 Tests)
Henry Speight (5 Tests)

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