Australia
16
Match Complete
Argentina
16
| R. Hodge |  | 67 | ||
| M. Hooper |  | 66 | ||
| 60 |  | D. Miotti | ||
| R. Hodge | | 50 | ||
| R. Hodge | | 42 | ||
| 35 | | D. Miotti | ||
| 33 | | B. Delguy | ||
| 29 | | D. Miotti | ||
| 17 | | N. Sanchez | ||
| R. Hodge | | 15 |
| 1 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Wallabies host the Pumas on Saturday night at Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:45pm (AEDT).
In their last match of the year, it seems the Wallabies’ line-up and player combinations have settled in. Today, the Wallabies are bolstered by a couple of Queenslanders returning from injury.
Although Lukhan Salakaia-Loto comes in from the bench, he will probably come on strong and angry, wanting to finish off his opponents. Expect some fireworks.
James O’Connor is back to create more opportunities against the Pumas, an element the Wallabies lacked in their last match.
The Pumas have regained their captain Pablo Matera. But he will not be playing. Today, the Pumas have lost a player in each row due to social media controversy.
What they lack in lost firepower, they will make up for in tough defence and winning more turnovers. While they were unable to score any points last week against the All Blacks, Nicolas Sanchez is expected to play and to rack up some points. He has scored 40 points so far in this tournament.
Both Dave Rennie and Mario Ledesma’s teams have not yet delivered a consistent attack model. Having said that, the form of Ian Foster’s All Blacks has not been consistent either. But they seemed to have blown out some of the cobwebs last week.
The Wallabies have a good chance to do the same today. But they should never underestimate this well drilled opponent, bristling with talent and passion.
Prediction
Due to the recent controversy and missing Matera, the Pumas are probably a greater disadvantage. The Wallabies’ set piece, especially the line out, should hold up today.
Both sides have excellent attacking potential. They both have pretty good defence. The first one to break will probably be vanquished. The Wallabies have a more settled side, and are expected to deliver the goods this time.
For the Pumas to score an upset, they need to amp up their attacking game and dominate the Wallabies’ bench in the breakdown again.
Game information
Venue: Bankwest Stadium
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEDT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Nic Berry (Australia)
TMO: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Teams
Australia
Scott Sio, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Matt Philip, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (captain), Harry Wilson, Nic White, James O’Connor, Marika Koroibete, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Tom Wright, Reece Hodge. Reserves: Folau Fainga’a, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Jake Gordon, Irae Simone, Tom Banks.
Argentina
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Julian Montoya, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Matias Alemanno, Marco Kremer, Santiago Grondona, Facundo Isa, Rodrigo Bruni, Felipe Ezcurra, Nicolas Sanchez, Emiliano Boffelli, Jeronimo de la Fuente (c), Matias Orlando, Bautista Delguy, Santiago Carreras. Reserves: Jose Luis Gonzalez, Mayco Vivas, Juan Pablo Zeiss, Lucas Paulos, Francisco Gorrissen, Gonzalo Bertranou, Domingo Miotti, Santiago Chocobares.
MO
Guest
Yeah we do need to improve the second phase. too many runners. There was a good clean out by JOC (and I think White) on the weekend but there should have been a forward a bit closer to support them properly.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Hanigan off next year though. Feels like one of Wright, Swinton, Valetini, Naisarani or Dempsey really need to step up. I’m for a breakdown merchant which if Wright can put some size on might see him in the box seat. Will have to see if the other four can improve that part of their game.
Mo
Guest
Hi Jez it is interesting that Rennie is backing Hannigan as a 6. Seems he wants a bigger body at all costs. I reckon Swindon can get there coz he’ll learn to tackle low but I think he’ll be the guy with the short career from concussion.
Mo
Guest
Will Miller. Good player.
Mo
Guest
Steal his phone.
Josh
Roar Rookie
fingers crossed Rhys we can properly develop recent u20s and aus schools teams, which have shown a lot of promise.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
I think it has to upwards, we can't go lower than last year. A young side like this is going take a while to develop and we shouldn't have really expected too much this year but I think we were all hoping for more after Bled 1. Still, I think there's glimmers ahead but it's going to take some more time unfortunately.
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
Yes Josh, and it is incredible his mobility considering his build. Cheers.
Josh
Roar Rookie
I was watching the scrums yesterday and TT's legs were twice the size of the opposing loose head...that is no exaggeration.
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
TT needs careful personal coaching to improve his playing skills, read the play and psychologically too. To switch his mentality to smile at the niggles and know he can pay back by destroying them with his play and also avoid the cheap shots that will give away penalities and get him a card. It may mean his team mates giving him the niggles until they become like water off a ducks back but I would be hesitent myself to do that. One pat with those ham like arms would knock me flat. :silly:
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
Yes - when the day is done!
jeznez
Roar Guru
I suspect the pack weights weren't that dissimilar but that we had much more weight in our front row while they were a lot bigger in the back five. Big men and athletic with it.
Josh
Roar Rookie
Jeznez, did you think they were a massive team?. To me they almost looked like Saffa size.
Kiwiburger
Guest
There's a great 1014 video on 2019 RWC tactics where the sling wide style is referred to as fools gold. Effective when successful, slim chase mce of success though.
jeznez
Roar Guru
That was huge as well, the inside pass from Wilson.
RobC
Roar Guru
thanks RT. Good match for you mate. ABs didnt lose! :laughing:
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers TCFB. Same to you
Josh
Roar Rookie
Very thoughtful comments Poco Loco. I am struggling to work out best positions for O'Connor and Petaia. O'Connor is one of my favourites but at this stage of his career, where can we best use him. Petaia is very gifted, but maybe playing him on the wing for while will help him to keep developing. Tana, Ma'a, Mortlock and many others have come in on the wing before shifting in. I think when Toomua is back give Hunter a chance at outside and Jordan on the wing. I thought Hodge played solid at fullback, but don't have any issues with Banks either. Also trying to work out what to do with Tupou. He was the biggest reason why we beat the all blacks and got out with a draw last night. In the first draw after being replaced we were totally out muscled. He is the only world class player we have, until our 2nd rower comes back from overseas. That said you just can't give away silly penalties in bunches. Really want to see more of Swindon, a very explosive half hour, which was close to the highlight of my season as a wallabies fan.
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers Monorchild. Same to you. Keep well meantime
Josh
Roar Rookie
Hooper also on the receiving end of a massive shot, I think off an inside ball off the line out.