O'Connor Back To Bolster Australia Against Rattled Argentina
Zeeshan Mehtab Published December 03, 2020 | 12:57 PM
Fit-again James O'Connor was reinstated as chief Wallabies playmaker Thursday, with Reece Hodge shifted to fullback as Australia look to end the year on a high against a rattled Argentina in the Tri Nations
Sydney, Dec 3 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Dec, 2020 ) :Fit-again James O'Connor was reinstated as chief Wallabies playmaker Thursday, with Reece Hodge shifted to fullback as Australia look to end the year on a high against a rattled Argentina in the Tri Nations.
O'Connor was sidelined for more than a month by leg and foot injuries, missing three Tests, with coach Dave Rennie trying out Hodge and Noah Lolesio at fly-half with mixed results.
"It's great to have James back in the team this weekend, he brings a lot of experience to a young group and has been working really hard to get his body right to be able to get back on the field," said Rennie.
"Reece has done a great job for us at number 10 over the past two games and we're confident he'll put in another good performance for us on Saturday night from fullback." With O'Connor returning, the versatile Hodge replaces Tom Banks at fullback, which means he will have started for the Wallabies in every position across the backline except scrum-half.
Australia face a daunting task in Sydney on Saturday, needing to win by an improbable 101 points to overtake New Zealand and claim the Tri Nations silverware.
They will face a Pumas side in disarray after skipper Pablo Matera, second-rower Guido Petti and replacement hooker Santiago Socino were suspended this week over racist tweets.
Argentina name their team later Thursday.
Rennie kept faith with young centres Hunter Paisami and Jordan Petaia, while wings Tom Wright and Marika Koroibete fill out the backline with Nic White again at scrum-half.
Among the forwards, Allan Alaalatoa returns at tight-head prop ahead of Taniela Tupou with the pack otherwise unchanged from the team that drew 15-15 with Argentina a fortnight ago.
"The side has worked really hard over the last 10 weeks or so and built a strong connection and I know as a full squad we are really keen to put together a performance that reflects that," Rennie added.
Australia (15-1)Reece Hodge; Tom Wright, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete; James O'Connor, Nic White; Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper (capt), Ned Hanigan; Matt Philip, Rob Simmons; Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Scott SioReplacements: Folau Fainga'a, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Jake Gordon, Irae Simone, Tom Banks.
Recent Stories
Attaullah Tarar’s success notification from NA-127 challenged
PSX witnesses positive trend today
PM Shehbaz meets CJP Isa to address IHC judges’ concerns
Pakistan vows to bring to justice perpetrators, abettors of Bisham terrorist att ..
May 9 riots: SC allows conditionally to military courts to deliver reserved verd ..
Interior Minister arrives in Peshawar after Shangla suicide attack
OPPO Reno 11 F 5G: Setting New Records as Pakistan's Most Beloved Smartphone Lin ..
PCB dismisses FICA's claims of unpaid dues in PSL
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 28 March 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 28 March 2024
Niger says US to submit plan to 'disengage' troops
Venezuelan opposition registers unknown poll contender after obstacles
More Stories From Sports
-
PCB dismisses FICA's claims of unpaid dues in PSL
4 hours ago -
Sinner and Medvedev book Miami Open semi-final clash
5 hours ago -
Collins and Alexandrova fight into Miami semi-finals
7 hours ago -
Van Aert breaks collarbone, ribs in Flanders fall
16 hours ago -
Van Aert in high-speed crash in Around Flanders race
18 hours ago -
PCB announces inter-club One-Day tournament
18 hours ago
-
ICC delegation calls on PCB Chairman
19 hours ago -
Ramadan Cup Basketball Tournament kicks off on Thursday
21 hours ago -
ICC delegation inspects venues, facilities for Champions Trophy 2025
22 hours ago -
PCB decides to maintain Shaheen Afridi as national T20 team captain
22 hours ago -
Fuellkrug strikes late to send Germany past Netherlands
1 day ago -
Five-goal Australia, Iraq advance in Asia World Cup qualifying
2 days ago