Kiss rests skipper Wilson for Argentina clash as Alaalatoa takes Wallabies captaincy

Wallabies coach Les Kiss has dropped regular captain Harry Wilson from his matchday 23 for Sunday’s Test against Los Pumas in San Salvador de Jujuy, with Allan Alaalatoa named to lead Australia for the seventh time and Rob Valetini handed the No. 8 jersey.

Kiss cited workload management as the reason for the decision, pointing to a heavy schedule still ahead in 2026. Wilson started 13 of 14 Tests this year, including the Lions Series and landmark wins over the Springboks in Johannesburg and Los Pumas in Townsville, form that earned him a place in the 2025 World Rugby Dream Team.

“It’s been a long season. It’s just managing Harry in this match because there’s a lot of Tests to play as well,” Kiss told reporters. “We feel that we’ve got a lot of experience around that backrow anyway with the other boys in there and certainly some experience with Allan in there as well.”

Wilson had guided the Wallabies to three consecutive victories for the first time in three years, with wins over Italy in the Nations Championship and back-to-back victories over Japan in the Flight Centre Series.

Kiss has retained the same backline that dismantled Japan 56-17 in Townsville, but the forward pack has been overhauled entirely. Isaac Kailea is in line for his first Wallabies appearance in two years, joining Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Alaalatoa in the front row. Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams start at lock, while Tom Hooper and Fraser McReight pack down on the flanks.

Notably absent from the squad is Taniela Tupou, who scored three tries across the two Japan Tests, with Angus Bell and Wallaby number 1000 Massimo De Lutiis providing prop cover from the bench.

“Working the pack in different ways,” Kiss said. “We think it’s worthful exploring this and I think we’re balancing it out okay at the moment.”

Valetini, who will start at No. 8 for just the third time in 12 months, gets a significant opportunity to press his case as Wilson’s long-term deputy in a Wallabies backrow that has become one of the team’s most reliable units under Kiss.