MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Australia centre Hunter Paisami has been ruled out of the Argentina tour due to injury in another blow for Joe Schmidt’s side following back-to-back losses to South Africa in the Rugby Championship.
Paisami suffered an apparent knee injury and came off the field early in the Wallabies’ 30-12 loss to the Springboks in Perth at the weekend.
He was omitted from the 35-man squad named on Tuesday for the two-test series against the Pumas starting in La Plata on Aug. 31, joining a long injury list that includes winger Filipo Daugunu and loose forwards Fraser McReight and Liam Wright.
Uncapped ACT Brumbies midfielder David Feliuai has been included in the squad to replace Paisami, while hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa has returned to the national setup following a three-year stint with Montpellier in France.
Lock Josh Canham has also made his first Wallabies squad for the season.
“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 team media release.
“The Pumas have a talented and robust squad, which, along with the travel, will require further improvement from our squad.”
Prop Tom Robertson has been recalled, while New South Wales Waratahs loose forward Langi Gleeson returns to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury.
Australia squad:
Forwards – 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 – 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
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
