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.
Loosey
Guest
'Butt-reaming'? Shouldn't you be on your XBox buddy?
Loosey
Guest
Wallabies scrum was absolutely better in Sydney, the only way the ABs kept their noses in it was by giving a cheeky little shove when the ball was about to be passed out. Ref was in the right except for his last call. Fortunately missed the auckland game :)
Loosey
Guest
Nothing old about that chestnut Woolly Arms. But hopefully this NRC goes well because it's the first time in a while the ARU has gotten their priorities right, more pathways, more talent, more performance, more money...in theory.
Loosey
Guest
Sound like McCaw's yellow card
markie362
Guest
What about hogson hes a champ
markie362
Guest
What about hogson hes a champ
Ethan
Guest
The blocker offence almost cost the WBs that try. The TMO had a hundred looks at it. Why not clean out past the ruck, you ask? Gee, I don't know, maybe because IT COST THE TEAM A TRY. If you are two metres from the line, you have to trust your team has the goods to get over the line legally. What Simmons did was very obvious, and they didn't go to the TMO. The ref called it straight away. Cowan may not have got over the line, but they would have recycled the ball and had another chance. Grabbing a man in the air at lineout IS stupid. A more subtle way is to push your jumper into their jumper, which not all refs blow up, but they will always see you wrap your arms around them in the air. Again, it's about being smart when giving away penalties, and with coaches like yourself, I can understand how our players grow up without those smarts. I hope Ewen has had a word with Simmons, but it is not exactly a one off offence. He has been giving away stupid penalties for years. Obviously not learning very well. (Don't get me wrong, apart from his constant penalties, I think he's a decent player.)
Train Without A Station
Guest
My point is other than Smith these are not proven test performers. Some are capped but never cemented a spot, others are not even capped for a reason.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Julian Salvi was 3rd choice openside at the Brumbies within a season after being picked to replace George Smith and he's considered the best 7 in the Aviva Premiership. Wow he must have become amazing at 27 years of age. Or just maybe, the competition isn't as strong as Super Rugby because of the gulf in the quality of sides and squad rotation. Refer that same comment to Houston. That's great what you think of Douglas. He must have become amazing less than a year after his 2013 international season where he was no better than Carter. Against the Lions he was worse. Mowen is a great line out forward. Pity he's a number 8 with a weak running game. He was excellent when Australia needed him in 2013 and I'm glad he's looking after himself at 29. Let's remember by the rugby championship last year people were calling for him to be dropped because he was unable to impose himself on games. Timani is a poor line out option who was picked for his size but failed to consistently impose himself on games. He had poor handling skills too. Smith a bench loosie? More like captain and starter. But players tend to look off-shore for life style decisions in their 30s and that's unavoidable. He's floating around France because he doesn't want to be away from his family for half of the year unfortunately. Surprised you didn't mention Dean Mumm and Mark Chisholm who at 30 with 30 odd caps each are allegedly in "career best form". The simple fact is you cannot compare players from Top 14 and the Aviva premiership to domestic players. There's 2 reasons for this. 1. With no salary caps, bigger caps and multiple competitions each team players in between squad rotations and the split in the competition players aren't playing against the best each one. One week they play Heinekin Cup, then they're playing a team about to be relegated/just promoted. In addition some are playing with a full international team around them in a domestic competition. As long as they are decent players they will look good but it cannot replicate the intensity of test match rugby and the pressure they will come up against when they're team isn't significantly superior. 2. A wallaby needs to play rugby from February to the end of November with less than a month of complete break in that period. These players are doing the equivalent of a Super Rugby season then getting a full break between to recover from injuries and get back into condition. You need to consider that is a huge factor why players like Mumm and Chisholm are suddenly better again.
kibui b
Guest
Smith served his time, Douglas was a Fringe 23 player, Timani never really put his heart into it. That said Longbottom was the biggest loss this year, even bigger than Digby the year before. Houston didn't reallly develop till he flew out, lost the baby fat and got stuck in it in the North. Mowen was a decent leader, never thought much of him when he was at the Tahs. He did a great job and played the best rugby of his life last year. He made the right decision to leave.
Hello
Roar Rookie
Sorry for the typo mike meant to say *week*
Mike
Guest
Hansens first choice Wallabies (I asked him): "F*** off Mike. I don't talk to Australians"
Mike
Guest
"He should be playing 80 min every errk in the nrc" What's an "errk"? Enquiring minds would like to know .
Mike
Guest
"I did pick the Wallabies to win the game, and that was more a blessing of luck that design." Which is an admission of incompetence on your behalf. Its big of you to admit that. Don't get me wrong - after reading a couple of your posts I never seriously doubted it, but its refreshing to see a man who can admit to what everyone else can see... :)
Mike
Guest
Glad we didn't use the word "rather" then.
Chivas
Guest
Not sure Horwill has either... but he is probably the best Australia has and as a person he stands tall on every occassion I have seen him. Sometimes a bit cliched and rhetorical in his responses, but considering the comments he gets if he shows his real feelings, I guess it is understandable he can come across a bit wooden and a suck up. As a senior player his on field leadership is missed quite a bit I think.
Mike
Guest
Its x-chromosome. Unavoidably necessary to have some in the team.
Chivas
Guest
Well after losing Kane Douglas and a few others, locking stocks are looking bare...Everyone banging on about Skelton, shows how desperate things are. Red Kev has a good point, this may be the best Australia have, which is a worry that they appear to lack any cohesion whatsoever.
Toomuaforpresident
Guest
yeah that old chestnut he wouldnt have got a cap but i was just making a point the all blacks dont get away with stuff becuase they intimidate the ref, its more because the ref just wants to let the game flow. For example, in the 2nd Bledisloe McCaw and some other guy were holding Kurtley Beale up, or at least tring to. Beale was alone so it wasnt a maul, and NZ managed to rip the ball off him, spread it wide as they often do on counter attack and shortly after they scored a try. The thing is, beale had his knees on the ground so it was technically a tackle and they had to release the player. The ref either didnt realise this or didnt really care, he was happy to let the game flow. Simmons giving away penalties is better than us not attempting to push the boundaries at all.
Shouts Chen
Guest
Good to see Michael Hooper coming back to the Wallabies Squad against Argentina at Gold Coast.