The Wallabies will be desperate to avoid the Rugby Championship wooden spoon when they take on Argentina in Rosario in front of 40,000 vocal Pumas supporters.
The Wallabies have made one change to the starting line up this week with Will Genia returning and Nic White going back to the bench after starting in the last two Tests. Genia’s experience will be valued against an Argentina team which boasts more Test caps than the Wallabies.
Uncapped Waratah Bernard Foley comes onto the bench for last week’s try scorer Chris Feauai-Sautia.
After the Wallabies clinched a one-point victory over Argentina in Perth, they are expecting a much greater challenge in the Pumas’ backyard.
‘They’ve proved that they’re very tough to beat at home’ said Wallabies hooker Steven Moore.
‘They’ve played really well against South Africa and New Zealand so far this year at home. They’re going to be tough, particularly up front. They’ve going to try and scrummage and maul so its something we are going to have to deal with.’
The scrum will be crucial for the Wallabies after Argentina dominated the All Black scrum last weekend.
‘The scrum is absolutely central to the way they play the game and they put a lot of importance on that part of the game, so as you saw last weekend against the All Blacks, they kept the ball at the back a scrummaged for penalties and they got a lot of reward there’.
‘We need to be better at gaining momentum in the game. I think we gave it away too easily last week particularly early on. We had moments in the game where we could have put the Springboks under pressure but we made errors or we turned the ball over or we gave away a penalty and that found us back at the wrong end of the field so build momentum early in the game and I think we can put these guys under some pressure and score points which is ultimately what we want to do’.
Last year the Wallabies won 25-19 in Rosario after being demolished by the Springboks the week before in Pretoria. Wallabies prop Ben Alexander considers the victory as one the best in his career.
‘We played reasonably well. We only scored one try but it was a tough gritty win. They’re the ones you remember, when people don’t give you a chance. You really fight it out away from home, get the win and it was very enjoyable.’
Despite this, the Wallabies only have four survivors from last year’s Test which includes Ben Alexander, James Slipper, Sitaleki Timani and Michael Hooper.
Key Match-ups
Juan Manuel Leguizamon v. Ben Mowen
Leguizamon has been one one the standouts for Argentina in the competition. He scored a try against the Wallabies last time and will no doubt be dangerous again this weekend. After not having his best game last time he played the Pumas, Ben Mowen was solid again last weekend at Newlands pulling off some big hits and big tackles with his trademark ruck defence.
Felipe Contepomi v. Christian Leali’ifano
The veteran against the new kid. Contepomi hasn’t been able to secure a run-on start this year but will add composure and experience to the side. Leali’ifano will be hoping to overcome Argentina’s infamous lasers and slot a few goals with his reliable boot.
[one_half last=”no”]
Wallabies
15. Israel Folau
14. Joe Tomane
13. Tevita Kuridrani
12. Christian Lealiifano
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper
10. Quade Cooper
9. Will Genia
8. Ben Mowen
7. Michael Hooper
6. Scott Fardy
5. James Horwill (c)
4. Rob Simmons
3. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
1. James Slipper
Replacements:
16. Saia Faingaa
17. Benn Robinson
18. Sekope Kepu
19. Sitaleki Timani
20. Ben McCalman
21. Nic White
22. Matt Toomua
23. Bernard Foley.[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Los Pumas
15. Juan Martin Hernandez
14. Horacio Agulla
13. Marcelo Bosch
12. Felipe Contepomi
11. Juan Imhoff
10. Nicolas Sanchez
9. Martin Landajo
8. Juan Manuel Leguizamon
7. Pablo Matera
6. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (c)
5. Patricio Albacete
4. Julio Farias Cabello
3. Juan Figallo
2. Eusebio Guinazu
1. Marcos Ayerza
Replacements:
16. Agustín Creevy
17. Nahuel Lobo
18. Juan Pablo Orlandi
19. Manuel Carizza
20. Benjamín Macome
21 Tomás Cubelli
22. Santiago Fernández
23. Lucas González Amorosino[/one_half]
