Key Wallabies changes for mission impossible

James O'Connor's return from injury at five-eighth means yet another home for Wallabies Mr Fix It Reece Hodge.

O'Connor will start at No 10 for Australia on Saturday in Sydney in the Tri Nations finale against an Argentina team in tumult.

It is O'Connor's first action since injuring his knee in the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland.

Hodge replaces Tom Banks at fullback which means, remarkably, he has now started a Test in every backline position except halfback.

The other starting change is Allan Alaalatoa in for Taniela Tupou at tighthead prop.

The Wallabies need to beat Argentina by a mission impossible 101 points to overtake the All Blacks and claim the Tri Nations.

Reece Hodge

"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," Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said.

"Reece has done a great job for us at No 10 over the past two games and we're confident he'll put in another good performance for us on Saturday night from fullback.

"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 expanded on his five-eighth options during an appearance on The Rugby Nation Show.

"One thing about James is his ability to play really square and play on top of defences is excellent," Rennie said.

"When you look at Hodgey, I think he's gone really well at 10, he's been a little lateral though and that's not easy when you've come from playing everywhere else but 10, but I think he's made a pretty good fist of it.

Wallabies pose for a team photo

"But what we know with Rabs (O'Connor) is he'll ask a lot of questions of the defences and they won't be able to push off as the Argentinians have been able to do in most Tests.

"They've defended really well – you've got to play on top of them."

Argentina are in turmoil after the sacking of captain Pablo Matera and two other players.

They are yet to name a team or new skipper for the match.

WALLABIES (15-1): Reece Hodge, Tom Wright, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete, James O'Connor, Nic White, Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper (c), Ned Hanigan, Matt Philip, Rob Simmons, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Scott Sio

Reserves: Folau Fainga'a, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Jake Gordon, Irae Simone, Tom Banks

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