'He's brave': Injuries force Wallabies changes as new playmaker confirmed for Argentina rematch in Sydney

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made four starting changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's Rugby Championship rematch against Argentina, with Tane Edmed to make his first Test start at No.10.

Edmed replaces Tom Lynagh (hamstring) from the side that beat the Pumas 28-24 in a thrilling finish in Townsville.

It caps a remarkable rise for Edmed, who was dropped by the NSW Waratahs this season and had a stint back in the Shute Shield for Eastwood.

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Edmed, who will play for the ACT Brumbies next season, is the son of former Balmain Tigers forward Steve.

The 25-year-old has played two Tests from the bench.

Schmidt had the option of starting James O'Connor but has opted to keep his experience on the bench for the Allianz Stadium clash.

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"We wanted to give him more confidence and more time to, I guess, familiarise himself with running the team in a pivotal position like No.10," Schmidt said.

"It's nice to have the security of James O'Connor available to come off the bench, as he did last week.

"Not only did he settle things down, but he also ramped them up when it needed to be ramped up."

Edmed's selection continues a merry-go-round in the playmaker's jersey, with Noah Lolesio and Ben Donaldson also unavailable through injury.

"He is a bit versatile, he's brave. Again, in that Cape Town Test (playing at No.12), he took a superb high ball, made some really good tackles," Schmidt said of Edmed.

"He's got some good width in his passing game and a good feel in his passing game, so being able to slot in and move around is an advantage, but we'd love to give him the best chance in his specialist position this weekend.

"The best opportunity to do that was to put him in from the start."

Hunter Paisami will start outside Edmed in the No.12 jersey, replacing Len Ikitau who has a laceration on his knee that has failed to heal enough to take the field.

In form lock Nick Frost is also out with a back issue, replaced by Jeremy Williams, while veteran James Slipper returns for Tom Robertson at loosehead prop.

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Slipper will pass Richie McCaw (148 caps) on the all-time list for most men's internationals with only Alun Wyn Jones (170) and Sam Whitelock ahead.

Queensland Reds duo Josh Nasser (replacement hooker) and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (replacement lock) have been named to play their first Tests of 2025.

Schmidt said discussions were ongoing as to whether Leicester-bound O'Connor and La Rochelle's Will Skelton would be available for the Bledisloe Cup.

"The short term focus is on Los Pumas this weekend because they're a heck of a team. While I'm nervous, I'm also buoyed by the fact that the team have come as far as they've come in a relatively short space of time. So I think where we are at the moment, we're very conscious of Argentina being right behind us in those world rankings and they could get past us if they beat us on the weekend," he said.

"And we're at a sold-out stadium on our own home turf. That means something to the players. The players are very conscious of earning that support and I know that they'll work hard on Saturday to continue to earn it."

Meanwhile, Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi has recalled winger Rodrigo Isgro and tweaked his back row as the Pumas look to turn the tables on Australia.

Isgro replaces Baustista Delguy on the right wing as Contepomi largely kept faith with the starting XV from Townsville.

Marcos Kremer moves to openside flanker from the blindside while Joaquin Oviedo is promoted to No.8.

Juan Martin Gonzalez shifts to the blindside while Pablo Matera, who started at No.8 in Townsville, will come off the bench as Argentina look for staying power.

Lock Guido Petti has been promoted to start with Pedro Rubiolo in the second row, relegating Franco Molina to the reserves.

Six-cap centre Justo Piccardo comes onto the bench along with three-cap fullback Ignacio Mendy, who replaces the dropped Benjamin Elizalde.

Argentina - who have had All Blacks great Ben Smith in camp with them this week - are fourth in the Rugby Championship, level with South Africa on five points.

Defeat without a bonus point would eliminate the Pumas from contention.

- with Reuters

WALLABIES (15-1): Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Hunter Paisami, Corey Toole, Tane Edmed, Nic White, Harry Wilson (c), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Tom Hooper, Jeremy Williams, Taniela Tupou, Billy Pollard, James Slipper

Reserves: Josh Nasser, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Filipo Daugunu

PUMAS (15-1): Juan Cruz Mallia, Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Garcia, Joaquin Oviedo, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Pedro Rubiolo, Guido Petti, Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (c), Mayco Vivas.

Reserves: Ignacio Ruiz, Boris Wenger, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Franco Molina, Pablo Matera, Agustin Moyano, Justo Piccardo, Ignacio Mendy