Wallabies vs Argentina highlights: Wallabies defeat Pumas 36-20

This Saturday night game sees the Wallabies hosting Argentina from NIB Stadium in Perth. Join The Roar from 8:05pm (AEST) for all the live action of this Rugby Championship fourth round match.

In this week’s Big Questions column the effects of last week’s results for these two sides was discussed along with the possible affects for tonight’s fixture.

Both sides have several positives to continue building on.

Obviously Australia will be looking to carry on the winning momentum after snapping a six game losing streak last weekend against the Springboks.

Argentina, despite suffering a heavy loss to the All Blacks, will no doubt look to carry on with the exciting style of play employed against the World Champions which has earned them numerous compliments from around the globe.

The Wallabies will want to build on the incremental gains they have made last week, continuing on with an improved set piece particularly in the lineout and on defence. Questions still remain around the Wallabies defence and the quick ball movement of the Pumas should provide a sterner test than what was served up by South Africa last weekend.

The Wallabies will also fancy their scrum against the Pumas, something many of us would have thought incredibly unlikely in years gone by. Yet the Wallabies are a quality scrummaging unit, while the Pumas are not quite the force they once were in this aspect of the game.

Both sides have made a few changes from last week’s line-up, most notable for the Wallabies is the recall of Rob Simmons into the starting side for Kane Douglas who drops out of the match day side altogether.

For the Pumas, a rather surprising change sees Tomas Cubelli starting at halfback ahead of Martin Landajo who was superb for the Pumas against New Zealand. Perhaps Coach Daniel Hourcade values Cubelli’s inside knowledge of the Wallaby opposition after playing his Super Rugby for the Brumbies this season.

Of interest this evening will be the play and cohesion between Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley at 10 and 12 for the Wallabies and whether they can work together more comfortably as part of the crucial axis of the side.

Nicholas Bishop in his weekly column expressed his concerns this week. This will be an interesting aspect to observe tonight.

Match-ups
Key match ups tonight to keep an eye on include at fullback, where the exciting and talented duo Israel Folau and Joaquin Tucalet go head to head.

Pumas 8, Facundo Isa, has been a revelation this season and provides an interesting contrast of styles up against the Wallabies David Pocock.

I suspect the most important match up will be between Cooper for Australia and Nicolas Sanchez for Argentina. Their respective performances from first five will likely be key to deciding the outcome of this match and how they direct their sides around the paddock will be key.

Prediction: Wallabies by nine. Home advantage is essentially what I believe will bring the Wallabies home tonight along with a more confident outlook after a hard earned win last weekend.

Join us live here on The Roar for all the action.

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