The Wallabies have ended their Rugby Championship campaign with a 12-point win over Argentina at Twickenham to finish second behind an undefeated New Zealand.
All the wash-up from the Wallabies’ win over Argentina
» Match report: Wallabies win at Twickenham
» Six talking points
» What changes should the Wallabies make for Bledisloe 3?
» DIY player ratings
» WATCH: All the highlights from the match
Final score
Argentina 21
Australia 33
The Wallabies will be fighting for pride in their final Rugby Championship match this morning, taking on a determined Argentina outfit that has taken their home game to Twickenham. Join The Roar for all the live scores and coverage from 5:30am (AEDT).
This will be the first ever Rugby Championship match in the northern hemisphere as the two sides return to the same venue they contested the World Cup semi-final last year.
This will actually be the seventh test match the Wallabies have played at the famous English ground since November 2014, so they have no shortage of experience in London.
Both teams are coming into the final game off the back of losses, with the Pumas going down 36-17 to the All Blacks, and the Wallabies being outplayed late in the game by South Africa to lose by eight.
Australia has already beaten the Pumas in this Rugby Championship campaign, running home 16 point winners in Perth, but have struggled across the tournament as a whole, picking up just one other win from their other four games.
Argentina haven’t faired much better, sitting last in the standings with one win from five games.
Team News
Lopeti Timani will make his starting debut as the Wallabies No. 8 woes continue. He will replace an injured Sean McMahon who went down in the first half of Australia’s loss to South Africa last week.
Rory Arnold will also be starting in the second row at the expense of Rob Simmons in an attempt to bolster a struggling line out for the Wallabies.
Stephen Moore will knock off a milestone in his 111th test for the green and gold, equalling George Smith as the fourth most capped Wallaby of all time.
For Argentina, Facundo Isa has been rested to allow Leonardo Senatore to take his place in the back row.
An injury to Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro has ruled him out of the clash leaving Lucas Noguera to take his place and pack into the scrum as prop.
Some late injury concerns continue to hover over five-eighth Nicolas Sanchez and winger Manuel Montero, but they’re expected to pass the game day fitness test and take their place in the side.
Prediction
Both sides will undoubtedly be keen to finish disappointing Rugby Championship campaigns on a high.
Australia had a great start against the Springboks last week but just shot themselves in the foot in the second half with errors and mistakes.
If they can recapture the form they displayed early in that contest, then they will be a very hard opposition to stop for Argentina.
Australia to win by 14
RobC
Roar Guru
Yes Pete. WBs will not maintain it if they don't improve
PeterK
Roar Guru
Timani topped the tackle count and actually drove them back in the tackle, also hit rucks hard
PeterK
Roar Guru
they are currently ranked #3
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Connor, good blog Pumas could have won that. Perhaps one day they will. Good win by the WBs. A good team effort. But they need to improve a lot more. This team will not reach #1 or #2 otherwise. Maybe not even #3 or #4. And that means changes by Check. And plan for changes after Check.
beowulf
Guest
Folau was hardly sighted and needs to go to the wing or the pine. In contrast, I thought DHP was one of our best
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Both YC offences started with Numm looking like a statue in defence end a covering player taking somebody high. LO was ok, his maul work was good.
Digby
Roar Guru
You note i said blog Chook? ;)
correct sometimes
Guest
why does folau need a rest? making excuses?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Connor are you saying that you cannot tackle a physio with the ball?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
With respect, Connor, (and grateful for your call) this comment adds pressure to your neutral status. The Pumas try came off an obvious offside. The WB try came off a ball lost backward from the hand, if it was lost at all. Happy to consider contradictory evidence.
Digby
Roar Guru
Yeah, he was reasonable I thought tonight was Mumm, try was good reward for a solid effort.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Thought it was god awful Digger... not Connor's call but the game. :)
Coconut
Guest
Congrats to the Aussies, and commiserations to the Argies... both teams looked pretty good with ball in hand, but both still make silly errors. I think the Argies poor decision making at critical times (like right on the Wallaby tryline, for example), really let them down. Kerevi looks good running good lines and busting tackles - starting to play with more confidence, which comes with winning more games obviously. Score was probably a fair reflection of the game, but the Argies are not too far away - I just hope we're not still saying that 12 months from now...
moaman
Roar Guru
No picnic in the garden of Eden Chook?
Connor Bennett
Editor
Timani was solid. I think it was a pretty good effort, mistake free. The line out was pretty good compared to the scrum for Australia I thought.
Ray
Guest
Mumm’s late unconverted try put some credibility to the final score. Fulau needs a rest and Cooper did nothing. That said, we got what would be expected from French referee best summed up with the penalty against Phipps for pushing the Argie physio who came in direct contact with the ball. In terms of discipline this side still has a long way to go. Despite our Foxtel commentary team claiming both tackles were reactionary; they were still 2 yellow cards and totally unacceptable. Where does this place the Wallabies, marginally better than the Pumas and light years away still from the AB’s.
Connor Bennett
Editor
As a neutral commentator I won't be commenting on the refereeing performance, but bugger me it certainly could have been better. Some penalties were a bit questionable, as were a few advantage calls that were and weren't made. Argentina's first try was a tough one to deny and then Australia's first was a tough one to award if that's the kind of officiating they were going for. But other than that. The referees were alright....
SlytheeTove
Roar Rookie
A 15 pts thrashing is my optimistic scoreline, as for realistic I dare not think about it
Connor Bennett
Editor
They've played quite well in the Championship, especially against South Africa, but unfortunately they just lack that final touch to get them over the line more often than not. It will be difficult for them but they should be proud of their performances against some pretty tough competition
Digby
Roar Guru
Thank you Connor, great blog.