Playmaker Bernard Foley says victory over the Pumas is non-negotiable as the weary Wallabies strive to restore pride and avoid a dubious place in history with a successful end to the Rugby Championship.
The Wallabies were left physically and mentally battered by the Springboks before enduring a draining three-flight trek from Cape Town to Buenos Aires, but Foley insists there can no excuses for anything less than a bounce-back win in Mendoza on Saturday.
Defeat would hand the Pumas their first Rugby Championship victory in more than two years and 18 Tests of trying against Australia and fellow southern hemisphere heavyweights New Zealand and South Africa.
With rugby struggling to keep pace with the rival football codes in Australia, Foley knows the Wallabies are on a hiding to nothing and can’t afford a slip-up against the unfancied but improving South Americans.
“With the environment back home, every time we play we’re going to have to put on a show – get the result but also entertain,” he said.
“So for us this week is vitally important, especially coming off the back of the disappointing last few minutes of last weekend.”
The Wallabies trained for the first time in Buenos Aires on Tuesday following their 24-hour journey from South Africa, but Foley said the punishing schedule was all part of the deal.
“Every team has got to endure it. They do it when they come to us, so it’s not anything that we can use as an excuse,” he said.
“Some teams use it as a distraction and it’s not until later in the week that you get into your rhythm.
“But having yesterday off and a couple of good nights of sleep, you can really start preparing as early as possible.”
The Wallabies made 175 tackles – a hundred more than the bruising Boks – but Foley, ever confident and optimistic, even said that sapping workload was a “positive thing” ahead of what shapes as another torrid clash with the Pumas.
“Guys really dug deep and defended for each other and, as a side, that’s very pleasing,” he said.
“Disappointing in the end to let in 28 points but for the guys to show some resilience in that area with our backs to the wall, to grind it out, is something that we can take a lot of confidence from.”
Australian goalkickers Mike Harris and Kurtley Beale have been targeted by fervent fans shining lasers in their eyes in past visits to Argentina, but Foley is unfazed by the prospect of similar distracting antics in Mendoza.
“They’re very passionate; they can be hostile, but it’s exciting,” said the ice-cool No.10.
“I’ve only played here once before and that was my debut this time last year, so I’ve got very fond memories of the Argentinian crowd.
“Just the atmosphere, it’s very electric and exciting and it’s very unique to Argentina.”
Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade has made five changes to his starting side, the most significant being the loss of seasoned back-rowers Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Jean Manuel Leguizamon.
Lobbe has returned to his French base to be with his wife and newborn child, while Leguizamon has succumbed to a calf strain.
John
Guest
Something tells me that the Argies simply don't believe they can win. Mentally, they simply don't believe they can honestly beat one of the big 3. The 0-17 record (I think?) in the RC is playing on their mind.
Simon Bedard
Roar Pro
I am in rugby heartland in the north side of Sydney and the AFL were in my kids school leading the compulsory organised sport (public school). They are cashed up and have a string growth plan. Something we are lacking in rugby. I agree with BB that we cannot use this as an excuse for poor results on the field, and we need to focus on the positives. But there is no denying that as a sport the ARU will measure themselves against their competition....and unfortunately we are getting smashed in terms of crown numbers, tv rights and overall membership numbers. But it is not all doom and gloom. The NRC is in my view the best thing to happen to rugby in oz for years. We need to build on this initiative and continue to capture the imagination or our youngsters.....not to mention, stop losing school boy prodigies to league :-)
OZ Supporter in London
Guest
Hi Nobrain - thanks for the weather update. however I dont agree with you on the scrums. I tip WB to have it over Arg. We looked really good last week, with Horvill back there will be no loss in the engine roon for sure. I think we will dominate the line outs especially with the Faingaa/Horvill combination, this may espcially work against ARG in what looks like a more kicking orientated game if wet. IF catching the kicks at FB and I feel very confident we will win. BUT the WB really need to improve their kicking game, both the decision making of when to kick and what type of kick (bomb and chase/long for touch etc) and the execution. Hat tip to Carlos....nice to have Arg on the chat. I am always keen to see them do well and support them....so I feel a bit guilty admitting I want to see a very strong win for the WB but we really need this after the season we have had.
Nobrain
Guest
Weather prediction is heavy rain and windy, pretty rare for Mendoza in time of the year. I wonder which team will take the benefit of this conditions. My first impresion is that it will take a toll on the conditioning of the players. The most rested ones will have an edge, Pumas have made 5 changes and have the travelling factor as an advantage. But then both team will have to use the kicking game and I see Folau catching some balls and run like hell. Wet weather usually means more mistakes on ball handling and taht means more scrums , Pumas again seem to have an advantage on this area. Wheather has been a factor in thi edition of RCH, more than fifty porcent of the games have been played under the rain, taht is pretty rare.
Pau;l
Guest
I think Hanson's worst crime would've been seriously outshone by his Reds teammate. Aside from that it is probably just reward for Man-Rea to get a cap. Assuming it'll be an easier game up front than ther Boks, so I expect SF will play more minutes and Man-Rea will just play a cameo
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Very curious as to what Hanson did (hint - nothing, he has been solid if unspectacular) - my guess is nothing, they are just going to give Mann-Rea a cap as reward for his work with the team. I can't argue with that. Glad Toomua is fit. I agree with Beale being dropped, he has enough priors to be "stood down pending the results of the ARU integrity unit's investigations". I am surprised Link made that call though, I figured he'd do the whole Ireland thing again and slap him on the wrist after the fact.
Paul
Guest
Wallabies line up announced. Beale and Hanson dumped, Toomua fit. Higgers and Horwill starting with a 6/2 bench. James Slipper, Saia Fainga'a, Sekope Kepu, Sam Carter, James Horwill, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper (c), Scott Higginbotham, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Israel Folau. Res: Josh Mann-Rea, Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Will Skelton, Jake Schatz, Matt Hodgson, Nic White, Rob Horne.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Oh, that's right - there's a test match on this weekend, isn't there?!? :D
Magic Sponge
Guest
The aru abandoned grass roots and club rugby for the nrc
Red Kev
Roar Guru
I agree, without Lobbe and Leguizamon and at the end of TRC I can't see the Pumas getting it done. If the Wallabies (or Boks for that matter) face the Pumas in week one in Argentina...then I think they'll get their first scalp.
Fish
Guest
Unfortunately AFL has a much more aggressive marketing strategy, going into primary schools with Aussie Kick and the like, that it seems the war is being lost at the grass roots level, even here on the NSW/Qld border. Until there is some decent rugby on FTA TV, talk about "winning the hearts & minds" is rubbish.
The Other Steve
Guest
Losing to the Pumas might be better for the Wallabies - in that a win will lead to players and commentators assuming that the Wallabies have solved their problems. it's the old saying - you are only as good as your last game...
I agree with you Hog, grassroots is how rugby will grow. It starts with the kids. Our six year olds can by cub rugby at schools and if not there they can go to the 700 + rugby clubs in SA where they have the same opportunity. I just think this continuous harping on the disadvantages of rugby over AFL, League etc is a state of mind that negatively affects the mindset of everyone.
hog
Guest
Unfortunately Biltongbek, it will never be put to bed until the ARU develop a domestic structures so that 99% of the media is not about one team. As die hard above states what are the Wallabies, The national rugby team of Australia or entertainers. Rugby has to broaden its appeal, and it will only ever do that through grassroots, you can't do it with a the top down approach.
Waru (8)
Guest
I read on Stuff that Fardy says they ( the woblies) can beat Jet Lag.... Yeah right....
Carlos The Argie in the USA
Guest
Or, "The Pumas know they must beat the Wallabies"...they have no better chance!
You know, I have been hearing about the struggle against other codes for so long that it is in fact becoming boring. Yet the Aussies remain a top three team. It is time to put that debilitating excuse to bed and focus on the positives.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
“With the environment back home, every time we play we’re going to have to put on a show – get the result but also entertain,” That statement reads that the players are more concerned about political consequences as much as the game itself. Putting on a show, or trying too hard is a recipe for calamity. The popularity of the game could not and should not be measured by the success of the national team. Where are these messages coming from? “So for us this week is vitally important, especially coming off the back of the disappointing last few minutes of last weekend.” I sincerely hope that the Wallabies realise it was not just the last 10-15 minutes that ended the game in such fashion last week. I hope they are not thinking nearly there and that there is much more to work on.
Balotelli
Guest
Argentina in an effort to beat exhaustion and fatigure have made 5 changes to their team including Manuel Montero missing out all together.... Without Lobbe,Matera and Leguizemon means Argentina loses their best department altogether.. Pumas are there for the taking,the team selected is very weak