The greenhorn, depleted Wallabies have been urged to handle Argentine hostility “like men, not boys” to snare a momentous Test victory this weekend.
Missing more than half of their strongest starting 15, Australia will field one of it’s most inexperienced teams of the professional era against a Pumas outfit eying an historic first Rugby Championship win.
The promotion of backs Nick Cummins and Ben Tapuai for their run-on debuts puts them among a group of seven starting players who boast less than seven Tests experience.
But grizzled skipper Nathan Sharpe has laid down the law to his young, under-strength outfit – stand up and thrive in the extreme noise and pressure at the 41,000-capacity Estadio Gigante de Arroyito.
“Sharpey said ‘get your head around what you’re walking into – you have to be men, not boys. It’s going to be a hostile environment’,” said promoted prop James Slipper.
“It’s going to be tough. We know that. We’re not going to be walking into this game with our heads up. It will be head down and working hard this week.”
Sunday morning’s clash may be a tournament dead rubber but it’s certainly full of importance for both sides, and especially besieged Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
A backs-to-the-wall win will see Australia end the tournament with a palatable 3-3 record and ensure Deans stays in his job.
Tapuai, preferred at outside centre ahead of Reds teammate Anthony Faingaa, said a victory would be one worth celebrating following heavy criticism of their Rugby Championship form.
“If we win it would be even sweeter,” the 23-year-old said. “To prove everyone wrong, all the doubters who have been putting us down.”
After being bashed at the breakdown by the Springboks in their 31-8 loss in Pretoria, Deans has increased the strength and size his team in making five changes.
Slipper has replaced Benn Robinson, 122kg powerhouse Sitaleki Timani will play in the back-row, and Cummins and Mike Harris joins Tapuai in a near second-string backline following injuries to Berrick Barnes and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
It leaves the Wallabies backline – missing regulars Will Genia, Quade Cooper, James O’Connor, Drew Mitchell, Barnes and Ashley-Cooper – with a combined total of just 88 caps in experience.
Highlighting the new combination’s inexperience, 60 of which are held by five-eighth Kurtley Beale (30) and winger Digby Ioane (30), who has overcome a knee problem.
In stark contrast to the Wallabies disruptions, the Pumas have the luxury of fielding the same team for the third match in succession.
Local pundits predict Argentina will again go against their normal instincts and play an expansive game as they did in the 54-15 loss to New Zealand.
But Deans fully expects the home side to unleash their traditionally brutality up front, where the collisions will be huge.
“They will look to take us on physically as a pack,” he said. “They will want to maul us and our selections are reflective of what we expect from them.”
Chivas
Guest
And how are you so sure that changing RD will change Wallaby fortunes. Where do you go to. What facts do you have to know that changing deans will be the answer to your prayers. What do you know of the inner sanctums of Wallaby rugby that isn't based on hearsay and conjecture. Big call to say deal in facts when you provide none. And we were talking about the Wallabies not the super 12 sides. My question was do people just push to drop deans for there own prejudices, because you should put Campo up for CEO. To be honest I have heard NO facts about what exactly another coach would bring. Just opinions based on very little. Facts, pfffft. If you are going to throw that up at least put some facts up!
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I would make sure i was correct before making a comment like that. You obviously did not pay attention during this years Super 15 because that's exactly what happened at multiple clubs.
Chivas
Guest
Are people really so dumb as to believe that changing the coach will change your fortunes. I presume life is simple when you are this ignorant
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
I just watched this too. Good call. Fascinating to see what happens next for the young fellers. Club rugby? *sigh*
Dave
Guest
This Wallaby side is far superior to last week. Yes most are out of position, but considering that we have no tactics or gameplans anyway, the individual talents of our players should get us over the line. Taps and Cummins should have been playing far earlier than this considering how 'bad' our injury situation is (in reality as others have pointed out this week, we only have had crucial injuries going into last week's test - prior to that only JOC and Horwill were major blows). Beale is NOT a No.10, but is an individual freak, and should cause trouble to the Argentinian defence, beating them on the outside. Unfortunately in Brisbane we will be found out, as 15 individuals cannot defeat a team - especially the all blacks, and Beale's solo tricks wont work against their well drilled defence. We should win this one, but the best result would be a heavy loss. Surely that will bring about a new coach and we can see some creative Wallabies rugby once again, and be proud to support out team. Come on the Puma's. Do it for Australia
Aussie in NZ
Guest
Totally agree. The low skill level of the back line this year has been depressing. Let us hope Kurtly at 10 can make a difference
Internal Fixation
Guest
The title is completely round the wrong way. I just watched an amazing game of rugby played by the Aussie Schoolboys 1st 15 in Auckland with literally 2 supporters aside from their parents in the crowd. The last minute victory over the NZ side was filled with courageous moments including tackling some NZ "man size" boys at full speed, incredibly entertaining back line play, reasonable scrummaging and a hooker kicking penalties (whilst still not getting the line-out quite right). I enjoyed this game 10 times more than the international drivel we have been served up this season. The backline skills make a mockery of those like Campo claiming schoolboy errors from the Wallabies - if only Deans' men were this capable! The game could have gone either way but it bodes well for the future that the Western Island schoolboys have heart and skills to match.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Cliff - Interesting you should mention school boys. I've only just watched the Australian schoolboys taking on their NZ counterparts in a highly enjoyable match. Absolutely nothing in it and both teams slogged it out to the end. On Taps - Don't forget his caveat of IF.... I'm just putting it out there that the Wallabies have my support 100%. I see no point in sitting on the fence & wishing we had more players, better skills before I'll back them or only supporting a winning team. They 'can' do this and if they do I'll be even more proud of them. Hats off to the Argies and their fans. I'm mighty impressed with them.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Hi BBB, As much as I like Taps -- I am afraid I take substance with his "prove the doubters wrong". Does he honsetly belive that the Australian Rugby Supporters are all wrong in their assessment of this team and its Coach? This Team has "some" character and courage - but not a hell of a lot --- they continue to play like schoolboys. There was more mongrel in my University As Team then I have ever seen come out of this bunch. Cheers
Chivas
Guest
I don't think he will be a smashing success, but if he holds his own, it would be a start. I think the Wallabies are weak in their no. 8 and blindside. If Timani, could improve his speed, work hard on his aerobic fitness, lateral movement, maintain the aggression and drop a couple of Kgs (which I am pretty confident is not all lean hard muscle), he has the potential to stand out, but I think at the moment he may be a bit too lumbering and slow Personally I doubt he will play the entire game, but rather be used to handle the intitial interchanges, when it is more about the forwards trying to smash overtop of one another. And for that he will be fine and then make the change around half time. I could be wrong, but I can guarantee RD has not locked himself into one approach for the entire game. I think the simple approach promoted by many articles is to suggest it's all about the run on 15. If that were the case then it would be a 10 minute game, not an 80 minute game.
redsnut
Guest
Wouldn't it be one in the eye for the so-called "stars" if the third string had a good win! And one up the bum for Deans for not selecting the in form players instead of the "glory boys" One can dream!!!
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Tapuai had this to say “If we win it would be even sweeter,” the 23-year-old said. “To prove everyone wrong, all the doubters who have been putting us down.” That's the way mate. Use it to your advantage. While it's true that I'm not what could be called 'overly confident' about a win, I've never doubted our blokes for character & courage, and I'll support them to the bitter end. I reckon Sharpie is a good choice of Skipper to pull this one out of the fire and motivate the team. Who will win? Personally I'd reckon the bookies have it pretty right. It's a 50/50. If Robbie's gamble with the pack and a few key positions with the back line don't come too unstuck, then we're a chance. But surely Sir Graham is looking at our composition and figuring on where to dismantle us move by move. And you can bank on the Argie supporters creating a really tough environment for the Wallabies. But hey it's all good. ;) Carn the Wallabies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugo
Guest
Playing a second rower at 6 doesn't happen all that much. Imagine Bekker or Ritalick playing on the flank. However, if Timani is a smashing success at 6, it may send a few coaches back to the drawing board. And if Cummins and Tapuai star, they could face the ABs in the 3rd Bledisloe. That's three big ifs. We shall see.