Israel Folau has been named to make his Wallabies return against Argentina – but not in his usual position.
Instead, coach Michael Cheika starts Folau on the right wing for Saturday night’s Rugby Championship clash on the Gold Coast, meaning the in-form Dane Haylett-Petty will remain at fullback.
Folau hasn’t started a Test match on the wing since the 2013 Bledisloe Cup, having worn the No.15 jersey for his last 61 consecutive international appearances.
It’s another selection curveball from Cheika as he seeks to restore more potency to Australia’s attack after a lean return in terms of points scored across their six outings so far this year.
Star flanker David Pocock has also been earmarked for a return to the starting side after missing last week’s win over the Springboks.
Pocock (neck) and Folau (ankle) were included in Cheika’s original team to face South Africa but were both late withdrawals, so whether they actually run out against Argentina remains to be seen.
Adam Coleman, who was also scratched from the Wallabies team on match-day to be with his pregnant wife Tonia, has been named on the bench with Izack Rodda to start alongside Rory Arnold in the second row.
Meanwhile, veteran prop Sekope Kepu has returned to the 23-man squad after surprisingly missing selection last week, replacing reserve prop Tom Robertson.
Cheika has resisted calls to start Taniela Tupou after his match-turning performance off the bench against the Springboks.
WALLABIES: Dane Haylett-Petty, Israel Folau, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper (capt), Lukhan Tui, Izack Rodda, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio. Reserves: Folau Faingaa, Sekope Kepu, Taniela Tupou, Adam Coleman, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Jack Maddocks.