The Wallabies remained unbeaten in the Rugby Championship, taking a 34-9 win over a hapless Argentina.
>>MATCH REPORT: Wallabies overpower lacklustre Pumas 34-9
The Aussies weren’t necesarilly at their best, and will still need to step up when they face the also undefeated All Blacks, but were in good enough form to account for the Pumas.
Australia 34 def. Argentina 9
Can the Wallabies change the rugby world’s perceptions of their scrum power ahead of the World Cup? This crucial question will be answered as Michael Cheika’s scrum guru Mario Ledesma tests his boys against his old team, in Mendoza. Join The Roar for live commentary and scores from 8:40am AEST.
The Pumas are to scrums as the All Blacks are to hakas. You know what you’re going to get, you have ample time to prepare for it, and it still shocks you with its ferocity.
Mendoza is a pleasant city, 454 years old, in the Andean foothills. Their wine has become world famous, but 40,000 fired-up fans in the provocatively-named stadium of Estadio Malvinas Argentinas will be baying for another Wallaby scalp.
Argentina’s victory over Australia at the same place last year was the most momentous in Latin American rugby history. It was no fluke. Five of the last six tests between these squads have ended within seven points.
Australia will need to tighten up its ball retention. Last week, the Wallabies conceded a staggering 18 turnovers to the Springboks. Oddly enough, Argentina will need to show their scrum is still the best in the business, after the All Blacks shed doubt.
Both sides will crave a win. For Cheika, he is trying to breed a new attitude of swagger, leading into the Rugby World Cup pool of death. He cannot afford to be on the South Africa and New Zealand side of the knockout rounds; he is preparing to beat England and Wales. What better evidence would there be than successive wins against the ultra-physical Boks and Pumas?
Prediction
For Daniel Hourcade, this is an excellent example to prove to his players that his systems are working. The lineouts will be crucial; not just in winning the ball, but both sides will look to maul.
I think Cheika’s boys will suffer a let down after their Brisbane euphoria.
Argentina by two.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Beale was on for a cup of coffee in junk time. Not even worth discussing his play on the day relative to past history.
Lara
Guest
Trademanlike win , but players need to be more discipline eg Folau and Cooper , 14 men won't cut it against the better teams.
John
Guest
Good post - thanks
Mad Dutchman
Guest
1) Horne can tackle -have a look at Tomane's defensive efforts... Comical. 2) Did you not see Skelton's impact today? Some silly moments but a lot of good. Was rated 7/10 on Foxsports. Your judgement of him is out of its depth and comical.
Dannyray
Guest
"Tough for Quade"? Seriously ?? Poor QC, he can only start a game otherwise he's useless?.... C'mon, any players must be able to come onto the pitch at any time & slot into whats going on I'd have thought. Beale certainly had no issues with it today.
Dannyray
Guest
Agreed.....
Dink
Guest
Sorry I'll make sure not to read your comments literally in the future.
Dannyray
Guest
Guess the defenders didn't read Foley too well when he beat two and got an amazing ball away for a gimme to Kuridrani ? His goal kicking is not upto scratch, but then again who's is ? As for comparing Foley to Copper, I'd rather Foley's "solid' play to Coopers indifferent play - especially in RWC. Cooper needs to inject something to the play when he comes on off the bench. He certainly did not do that today. As for tackles missed, why is it that it's always the tackler who is at fault? Did the runner not simply beat the tackler ? Phipps looked very solid for large chunks of the game today. As for Skelton, he monstered several situations today - especially in the maul. While he is not a classic 2nd rower, he is providing 'something' that other teams don't have..... Absolute mass. I say give him some time. The combo we had today with the back 5 of the scrum seemed to go very well at times.
Loosey
Guest
Australian now Harry:) Cheers for the live call.
Harry Jones
Expert
Thx World's Biggest
Harry Jones
Expert
Foley missed 5 tackles.
Dopplerman
Guest
are you serious ........there isn't a wallaby first five or half back prospect for that matter who'd crack a kiwi super 15 team not one
Richie Walton
Roar Guru
Can't quite remember the details but the player profiles on channel 10 were hilariously wrong. I think I saw Nick Phipps as 104kg's.
Rob G
Guest
are you trying to tell me that you are confident every time an aussie lines up a penalty. Im on the edge of my seat even when they are right in front (with basically all of our kickers, not just those named above). compare this to DC, MS, JW. when they miss i am genuinely surprised, even from the side.
Rob G
Guest
Thats right, read everything literally. there are some real simpletons on this site. Ive never said foley is the answer. but cooper certainly isn't either. I would also pick toomua. CLL is prob 2nd on my list. People i would definitely not pick at 10 are giteau first and foremost followed by quade.
Rob G
Guest
its an opinion site mate. but ill name a few. GIteau against scotland (conversion but still pressure). giteau right in front vs england. JOC lions tour missed plenty. And quade shanks more than he hits cleanly and regularly misses from in front
Rob G
Guest
who mentioned NSW? As i have stated many times, personally i would pick CLL or toomua at 10.
Rob G
Guest
I'm actually not particularly pro foley. i believe he is a better option than cooper but 10 is a real problem area for us. If i was picking the team i would actually go with either toomua or CLL.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I agree. What was one headline here, a lacklustre Argentinian side. last week an unlucky SA side. The Wallabies won last week because they played 80 minutes of football. They won this morning because they did the same, the difference was today's game was an away one so a great effort.
Utah
Guest
Beale had some very good touches. The timing of this post is strange.