The Wallabies have endured more suffering on their hellish trek from Cape Town, with the squad’s luggage not making it to Buenos Aires.
After leaving Cape Town at 4.30am on Monday, the Wallabies arrived in Argentina almost 24 hours later with only their carry-on bags.
Players and officials were walking around the team hotel in slippers and the same attire as they left South Africa in as they awaited the arrival of their gear, including training kits and equipment.
Coach Ewen McKenzie was giving his charges most of the day off to relax and recover from Saturday’s torrid clash with the Springboks before completing their Rugby Championship campaign this weekend against the Pumas in Mendoza.
The taxing three-flight journey from Cape Town to Buenos Aires is one of the toughest in world sport but prop Sekope Kepu said the Wallabies just had to suck it up and cop the latest hit on the chin.
“We’ve just got to regroup. I mean, it’s not ideal that our luggage and all that stuff’s not here, but that’s life; you’ve just got to get through it,” Kepu said.
“It’s just part of the obstacle of getting to the end goal and that’s putting on a performance this weekend.”
In the intensity and physicality stakes, Kepu rated Australia’s 28-10 loss to South Africa – after the Wallabies led until the 69th minute – among the most torrid of his 46-Test career and said the challenge now was to immediately bounce back and be ready for the abrasive Argentines on Saturday.
“It’s just a rollercoaster,” he said.
“It’s an emotional rollercoaster where you build yourself towards the end of the week and you either win or lose and, regardless, you’ve just got to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and look forward to your next challenge.
“It’s another Test-match opportunity to represent Australia and I guess bounce back.
“Going back to last year, it was a pretty similar result. We lost in Cape Town and came back and we won by 50 (in Rosario).
“I’m not saying that will happen this week but, as Ewen would say, a week in rugby is a long time.
“Anything can happen in a week.”
atlas
Guest
no big deal, just that he had his duty-free as carry-on and didn't want to share
Bakkies
Guest
Maybe Beale is the reason why there is no manager.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
They arrived with no luggage but plenty of baggage. Apparently the messiah of Australian rugby according to 30% of the drop kicks out there has caused another incident. He can't catch, can't tackle and is as bad as Cooper ever was coping with his forwards being dominated. The 'real deal' Beale.
DCNZ
Guest
Los Pumas have made five changes i think Roarers need to start studying the competition, the Argentinians will see this as their big chance for a win, so kudos to the Wallabies if they take this match...
jeznez
Roar Guru
It's ok. They are in BA, there are still empenadas, asado and malbec. There are worse situations to be in.
GD
Guest
So should we take this as a sign to punt a few dollars on the Argies?
Magic Sponge
Guest
Classic Melon Suzy gave all the wallabies bogie boards . 15 wallabies will be convicted Schappelle Corby style this week.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Suzy the waitress now works in customs? Mood in camp mustn't be the best at the moment.
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
Ba boom - tish! "thank you, I am here all week!!"
moaman
Guest
Hey! At least they aren't carrying any 'baggage' from their loss at Newlands ;-)
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
Obviously qantas are sick of not getting value for their sponsorship and decided to flog off the gear to get some recovery of costs...
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I believe that they are travelling without a manager this trip due to costs. This is an unfortunate outcome and not exactly what the team needs. Hopefully a few days off will sort them but I think they need more than a few days off to come good. They need a good recovery, good training and good result to gain some confidence for the return Bledisloe clash. Talk about chickens coming home to roost.