The Wallabies will look to build on their thrilling victory over the Springboks when they face Argentina at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast this Saturday night at 8:00pm.
Bernard Foley’s 79th minute conversion sealed the 24-23 win over a physical Springboks side, after winger Rob Horne finished an electric backline movement which set pulses racing and tongues wagging.
The testing encounter brought out the best in the Wallabies, with a backline chosen for composure over X-factor, and a forward pack seeking balance between experience and energy.
Wallabies line-up against Argentina:
1. James Slipper
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Sam Carter
5. Rob Simmons
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. Ben McCalman
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Rob Horne
12. Matt Toomua
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Peter Betham
15. Israel Folau
Replacements
James Hanson, Pek Cowan, Ben Alexander, James Horwill, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Nic White, Kurtley Beale.
Seeing a bearded James Horwill, whose form has been questionable in the lead up to this match, don the gold jersey once more was a nice moment, but came at the expense of Will Skelton, who most punters would like to have seen more of.
Los Pumas, on the other hand, were on the end of a 28-9 drubbing at the hand of a rampant All Blacks side, with the Kiwis running in four tries to nil.
The officiating has been called into question however, with many spectators believing the Pumas were robbed of a try when Leonardo Senatore charged down a Ma’a Nonu clearance and touched down, only to have his effort incorrectly ruled a knock-on.
While one could argue karma played a part (see Julian Savea being tackled without the ball with a clear view of the try line), it is incontrovertible that the Pumas are ever improving, and it won’t be long before they start beating their Southern Hemisphere opponents.
The Argentine forward pack will look to out-muscle the Wallabies’, and it is entirely possible that this might be the case.
Hooker and Captain Augustin Creevy will lead from the front, and his opposing rake will have a job to do to keep him under control.
However, should the Wallabies forward pack dominate the Pumas’, the backline should be a different matter entirely.
While the Argentine backline is considerably better than an average international side, it is also the case that Ewen McKenzie has one of the world’s best at his disposal.
The backline that the Wallabies finished the Springboks Test with has been what many Roarers have been calling for. Phipps, Foley, Toomua were solid, dependable as ever, and the outside backs Folau, Kuridrani, Ashley-Cooper and Horne excelled when given the chance, but none could break the deadline.
Enter the much-maligned Kurtley Beale.
McKenzie’s decision to inject the X-factor playmaker gave the Wallabies the boost they needed, and pressed the Springboks hard up against the wall for the last ten minutes, ultimately resulting in Horne’s try.
If Argentina can manage to contain the Australian backs, it could be a very, very interesting contest.
However, with injuries to Adam Ashley Cooper and Wycliff Palu, the Pumas might have an easier job than they might have otherwise.
