Australia
27
Match Complete
Argentina
8
| J. O'Connor |  | 70 | ||
| A. Kellaway |  | 69 | ||
| J. O'Connor |  | 59 | ||
| 42 | | J. Montoya | ||
| Q. Cooper | | 31 | ||
| 20 | | E. Boffelli | ||
| Q. Cooper | | 18 | ||
| S. Kerevi | | 18 | ||
| Q. Cooper | | 6 | ||
| R. Hodge | | 4 |
| 3 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Wallabies will be hoping they can challenge for second place on The Rugby Championship ladder when they take on Argentina at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:05pm (AEST).
Both Dave Rennie and Mario Ledesma have opted for continuity in their selections this week and there’s very little change in the starting line ups for both sides compared to their matches last weekend.
For the Wallabies, Reece Hodge has been chosen to replace Tom Banks at fullback. Rennie did admit that Hodge had struggled under the high ball against the Springboks but felt that he’d done enough to earn the opportunity to start against Argentina.
The only other change to the starting XV from Rennie is giving Rob Leota his run on debut. Rennie has been impressed with the effort on and off the field from the young Melbourne Rebels back rower and Leota has managed to force his way ahead of both Lachie Swinton and Sean McMahon.
On the bench, fans will be excited to see James O’Connor return to match duty after his long injury. Will we get to see O’Connor and Quade Cooper playing together for the Wallabies once again?
Ledesma has kept exactly the same starting lineup as went down to the All Blacks last weekend. Whilst the Pumas have lost all four of their TRC games so far, Ledesma felt that his side put in a much better performance last round, especially in the second half where they lost the half by only two points against New Zealand.
This means Santiago Carreras will start again at fly half. The 23 year old looked comfortable against the All Blacks and despite his pack going backwards for much of the game, he gave his team some real go forward and created a number of good breaks and their only try.
Prediction
The Pumas have a number of weapons that could see them overcome the Wallabies and pick up their first win of the tournament. However, if the Wallabies can play with the same intensity and composure as they did against the Boks, then they should pick up their third win in a row for the first time since 2017.
Wallabies by 10.
Game information
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Kick-off: 8:05pm (AEST)
TV: 9Gem
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Australia $1.33, Argentina $3.30 – odds via PlayUp
Referee: Matthew Carley
Teams
Australia
1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Rob Leota, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Nic White, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Samu Kerevi, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Reece Hodge
Replacements
16. Feleti Kaitu’u, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Tom Robertson, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. James O’Connor, 23. Jordan Petaia
Argentina
15. Juan Cruz Mallia, 14. Santiago Cordero, 13. Lucio Cinti, 12. Santiago Chocobares, 11. Emiliano Boffelli, 10. Santiago Carreras, 9. Gonzalo Bertranou, 8. Pablo Matera, 7. Marcos Kremer, 6. Juan Martín González, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 4. Matias Alemanno, 3. Santiago Medrano, 2. Julian Montoya (c), 1. Facundo Gigena
Replacements:
16. Santiago Socino, 17. Carlos Muzzio, 18. Enrique Pieretto, 19. Guido Petti, 20. Tomás Lezana, 21. Gonzalo Garcia, 22. Domingo Miotti, 23. Matias Moroni
Agree about Japan! Players seem to come back fitter and more regressed. Lifestyle me thinks too.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
He's not good enough for Brad's team apparently.
piru
Roar Rookie
We're already claiming him mate!
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
How long was Tate on for against the Springboks? And were they chasing a bonus point or keeping it tight? I’d like to see him do his core job well before he starts trying to run and accelerate the game. I don’t know if there was a need to increase the speed of the game, they looked dangerous at the speed they were playing.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Great post Hurles.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Some players are born with a 10 on their back. JOC through sheer talent became one, but the default mentality is wider. There is another player in the squad, who, while being imperfect and a shadow of his former self, will inspire books on 10 play.
Hurles
Roar Rookie
Agree David that Tate caused some of the issues and certainly wasn’t at his best. But it’s worth noting the backline wasn’t organised or structured once Cooper and White left the field. Also worth noting that the wallabies looked calculated and structured in attack against the Bokkies With a Cooper/Tate axis. It’s no slight on NL. He’s a fantastic player but just needs time. I hope the redefined culture within the Wallabies grants him that. At the moment I think we need either Cooper or white on the field at all times. Preferably both.
The Yabbie
Roar Rookie
How many try's do we score via maul v's how many do we concede? Simple
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
dfenda. Trouble is RA is skint while Japanese clubs have huge corporations behind them. Its a no-contest. I think RA should do similar deals that RNZ has with Japan. Allow your players to go there for a year on the proviso they are available for some International duty (though not all if clashes with club duty). This is far far better than losing the best players to English and French clubs for years. The European clubs resist any of their players turning up for their nations plus its a long haul from Europe to Oz for a couple of matches then back to Frogland, whereever. That is one big problem for the PI nations and likely had a bearing on SA to look North to Europe.
Yeah, I like Merts!
Definitely a Rennievation! @Ken where are you?
Mate, I'm just happy that Hodge didn't drop a ball! I don't think he dropped one!
Whoever has the purse in Aus Rugby should buy out their contracts - gotta have those guys in the team to maintain some continuity!
There was a strong easterly :silly:
- This win by itself has shown that the Wallas have improved from last year! Well done! Or have the Argies have regressed? - Dare I say it, but this game was more exciting than the ABs game. - felt the ref killed the spectacle in t. ABs/boks game - that Number 6 for Wallas has to be permanent! - Geez I'm like Cooper more and more - so calm and assured @10. Refreshing to see TBH! - To be a person who lives in QLD right now - you are blessed!
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Hey Piru, I can see a reason for the ethanol outrage. Not only did both your teams win but you even had a sprinkling of Force players in the Puma and WB sides (nice comment re: D.Miotti and F.Kaitu’u subbing at the same time). The lack of Reds in the WB team has caused many a fan from there to call Quade, S.Kerevi and I.Rodda as Reds, seeing as all are former players with years of service to boost up the "Reds" numbers in the 23. So when does Izaac Rodda transmogify from a Red to a Force player? :silly:
piru
Roar Rookie
Haha, I got through 8 x 150 lashes stubbies and half a bottle of George Dickel yesterday. I have to admit by the time I got to taking shots for every water break I was drinking straight from the bottle. Feeling fine today strangely
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
The heat and humidity would have affected all teams.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
yep. The people's economic empire of McGowan is funding the country!
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Keep you out of trouble