Rugby-Hodge starts, O'Connor back on the bench for settled Wallabies

Reece Hodge will make his first Wallabies start of the year when Australia take on Argentina in the Rugby Championship on Saturday after getting the nod over James O'Connor at fullback for the Townsville test.

Reece Hodge will make his first Wallabies start of the year when Australia take on Argentina in the Rugby Championship on Saturday after getting the nod over James O'Connor at fullback for the Townsville test. Hodge replaces the injured Tom Banks, while Rob Leota gets his first test start at blindside flanker in the only changes to the starting side that secured the second of back-to-back wins over world champions South Africa last weekend.

Banks fractured his right arm at Lang Park and O'Connor, who has not played test rugby this year because of a groin injury, had been touted as his replacement. The 31-year-old, who started three tests at flyhalf for Australia last season, was instead named on an otherwise unchanged bench for the clash at North Queensland Stadium.

Leota, who got his first taste of international rugby as a replacement in the first win over the Springboks two weeks ago, comes into the back row for Lachie Swinton. "He's really impressed us with his work ethic on and off the field and worked hard for this opportunity," coach Dave Rennie said in a news release. Australia drew both of their tests against the Pumas last year with the versatile Hodge missing late penalty kicks that would have given Australia victory on both occasions.

Team: 15-Reece Hodge, 14-Andrew Kellaway, 13-Len Ikitau, 12-Samu Kerevi, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Nic White, 8-Rob Valetini, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Rob Leota, 5-Matt Philip, 4-Izack Rodda, 3-Taniela Tupou, 2-Folau Fainga'a, 1-James Slipper Replacements: 16-Feleti Kaitu'u, 17-Angus Bell, 18-Tom Robertson, 19-Darcy Swain, 20-Pete Samu, 21-Tate McDermott, 22-James O'Connor, 23-Jordan Petaia.