Wallaby Scott Sio earns first start of Test season for must-win Pumas clash

The Test veteran returns to Australia's starting XV in place of the injured James Slipper, among one of three changes for Saturday night's must-win clash with Los Pumas in Newcastle.

He beats out Angus Bell for the No.1 jersey, with the 20-year-old prop remaining on the bench after making an impressive debut against New Zealand last fortnight.

Having been axed from Rennie's 23 for Bledisloe IV, Sio returns for what will be his first start since last year's Rugby World Cup.

Rennie said the 66-Test Wallaby responded well to his omission, having trained well and done everything the coaching staff asked of him over the past two weeks.

"The reason we left [Sio out] was because we felt he lacked impact when he was coming into the game. We wanted more out of him," Rennie said.

"Ironically, we left him out and that week his training was superb. He gives us experience... he's ready to go and it's an exciting chance for him to remind us what he's capable of.

"Bell was very good off the bench and is a very good athlete, so we're looking forward to getting him on at some stage."

Rennie has given the nod to Taniela Tupou to start alongside Sio and hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa in the front-row, with ACT Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa to cover from the bench.

Ned Hanigan rounds out the changes to Rennie's XV and will start at blindside flanker in place of the suspended Lachie Swinton.

The addition of two-Test Brumbies forward Rob Valetini and Jake Gordon to the replacement bench are the only other changes to the Wallabies' 23 that upset the All Blacks 24-22 in Brisbane.

The victory was Australia's first in four Tests under Rennie and while Sio felt disappointed to miss out on selection, the 29-year-old said it was satisfying to help the Wallabies achieve the feat.

"There was a bit of disappointment. I was aware I'd have to play a different role in the preparation that week, to make sure the team was best prepared that they could be in Brisbane," Sio said.

"I got back to business that afternoon and did what I needed to do, gave them what they needed to see individually so I could get another opportunity to wear the jersey, whatever that number was.

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"The greatest thing was they were quite accurate and detailed in what they needed from me, [so it was] easy for me to go to training, focus on that and do the right things.

"Training was going to be an opportunity for me to put my hand up, thankfully I've been given another opportunity this weekend and I'm very privileged for that."

Rennie has named an unchanged backline for the first time in his brief tenure, with Tom Wright to start on the wing with Marika Korobibete after an impressive Test debut.

Reece Hodge retains the No.10 jersey as first-choice fly-half James O'Connor battles a foot complaint, partnering scrumhalf Nic White.

A win over Argentina would set up a series decider at Western Sydney Stadium on December 5.

Tri-Nations match four: Saturday - Australia v Argentina at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.45pm.

Wallabies squad: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Rob Simmons, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Ned Hanigan, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Nic White, 10. Reece Hodge, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Folau Fainga'a, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Allan Alaalatoa, 19. Rob Valetini, 20. Liam Wright, 21. Jake Gordon, 22. Noah Lolesio, 23. Filipo Daugunu.