After the Wallabies come-from-behind win over the Boks 23-17 last week, Michael Cheika made a very pertinent point at the media conference.
“We’ve been getting a fair bit of heat (after six successive losses), but I believe we are rock solid as a group”.
That solidarity will be put to the acid test in Perth tonight with the Pumas playing better Wallaby rugby than the Wallabies.
The men in light blue and white bands boast a hardened and experienced pack led by 52-cap hooker Augustin Creevy, supported by slick backs who delight in spinning the ball wide in a flash, with inside passes deftly timed, and accurate.
The speed of possession up front will decide which backline wins the game tonight.
The 9-10-12 Wallaby combination of Will Genia-Quade Cooper-Bernard Foley will have an absorbing battle with Tomas Cubelli-Nicolas Sanchez and Santiago Gonzales Iglesias.
The Puma trio cut holes in the All Blacks defence last week, but they will be hounded by Michael Hooper and David Pocock tonight.
There’s no doubt the inclusion of the Pumas in the Rugby Championship since 2012, and the Jaquares in Super Rugby this year, has made an enormous difference to the Pumas experience base.
They have changed as a result, but then so have the Wallabies since these two team last met in the Rugby World Cup semis last year.
The Wallabies won 29-15 scoring four unanswered tries to five penalties.
But this is a very different Wallaby line-up with ten changes.
Gone are Adam Ashley-Cooper who scored a hat-trick in that Rugby World Cup semi, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Kane Douglas, and Scott Fardy from the starting line-up, plus Toby Smith, Greg Holmes, Ben McCalman, Matt Toomua, and Kurtley Beale from the bench.
The replacements – Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Dane Haylett-Petty, Adam Coleman, and Dean Mumm, with James Slipper, Tom Robertson, Rory Arnold, Lopeti Timani, and Sean McMahon the new bench men.
Timani will make a huge difference to the Wallaby pack when he makes his debut, where he’s likely to replace Mumm.
The Wallaby backrow of Hooper, Pocock, and Timani will keep the Puma backline quiet, providing Cheika introduces Timani early.
And it will be interesting to see how the Wallabies’ sixth new lock combination of Coleman and the re-instated Simmons click.
This a very vital game for both sides, but from the Wallabies point of view their last international at home.
The next eight to complete the year will be away.
Jerome
Guest
Yeah, and the Wallabies should not have reached the semis last year. Many say Sotland should have won but for ref Joubert's mistake. Get a grip Moniano. Are you still sore from the humiliation in Sydney and Wellington in the past weeks? Wait for Eden Park
Hero
Guest
I bet you are fat and depressed.
Hero
Guest
You are clearly an afl fan. Get a life.
Hero
Guest
David Lord ... you look like the Lord of the ring right about now. The pumas got smashed.
Hero
Guest
What a fkwit
double agent
Guest
Brilliant!!!!!
double agent
Guest
There's nothing wrong with Foley's heart or his technique. Size sometimes beats him but at least he has a go.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
For the Wallaby losses this year, there is no way you can blame the referee. Both England and the ABs were far superior. I am not happy with the selections. Players should be picked in their normal positions and those who won't be available because of going overseas should not be picked. Some whingeing about referees was at the Kiwi\Bok game with a few of the Kiwi supporters complaining about Gardner, who didn't have a bad game.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Considering it's been played on the Gold Coast twice or even 3 times surely they do move it around a bit. They have also taken the SA game to Perth in years when the Arg game was on the GC. This year with only 1 Bledisloe though, Suncorp got the SA game.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What do you call him being stationed at hooker on defensive line outs then? It's the same reason they moved Quade and the same reason they also moved Giteau who was a more reliable defender than both though. Moving the smallest players out of the front line. I don't think it's necessary, nor beneficial though.
Moniano
Guest
When Rod Macqueen won 1999 RWC and did a 3-0 Bledisloe on the ABs ... he was still praising the ABs. Where is the humility ex-ABs RWC winner coach. In the eyes of many your 2011 RWC should have been a French one. Ex-ABs half-back Justin Marshall said it publicly if not for the ref.
amband
Guest
why isn't kick off time in the article? More and more onlne journalists forget this fundamentally important info
Tatah
Guest
Clearly the answer with Barnes is for him to call Stevie Hanson, have him over for a Bbq, and give him a few tips after officiating him the week before. If that doesn't work, then perhaps have your captain offer to protect him should he dare to speak to the other captain. If that doesn't work, have your captain flap his arms at every ruck inside his own 22. If that doesn't work, then consistently whinge about him for years and years afterwards.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Yep spot on Lordyu, the Wallas really have to muscle up against the Argies.
Michael
Roar Rookie
Australia's backline defence will have to be at the top of its game to keep em out tonight, especially with our 12, 13 and 14 all playing out of position. If the Argentinian forwards can pick and drive as quickly as they did against NZ then the Aussie loose forwards will be drawn in and the backline vulnerable. The WB tight 5 need to stand up tonight so Hooper and Pocock can protect the backs. Otherwise I see a high scoring game.
riddler
Guest
biased garbage.. he is not hidden in defence.. watch the game without your dislike for the guy and actually watch the rugby... you might actually enjoy it..
riddler
Guest
so true ej.. thanks for putting it well..
riddler
Guest
connor33.. a 100% correct.. minute 2.15.. if memory serves me correctly.. foley is a very good tackler.. watch the world cup last year and some of his tackles against the welsh or english.. or this year against the english and his tackle on billy v as a classic example.. he is a very courageous tackler always going low, therefore making it easier for a teammate to come in over the top and complete the tackle if needed.. in contrast to cooper who nearly always goes high and there fore is impossible for the someone to get in underneath.. foley is also a superb cover defender.. doesn't sprint and then throw an arm out.. ant cover defender is taught to pace the run therefore reduce the risk of being easily stepped on the inside.. there is so much garbage written about foley's tackling, it is amazing what people are seeing because it is a very different game to the one i am.. today against the argies there will be a number of more examples of this situation, foley going low and giving it the best shot of making the tackle.. hopefully people will see it for what it is..
Internal Fixation
Guest
Why doesn't this home game rotate between Adelaide, Gold Coast and Perth? ARU would get good crowds at Adelaide Oval for an international. Was packed for RWC 2003. Perth has more Saffa expats but the mining kiwis are all gone and the Force crowds are poor. Why do they deserve a game in Perth every year?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yep, serves to illustrate the Jekyll and Hyde nature of this side...will the real Wallaby side please stand up?