Preview: Argentina v Australia
Argentina are chasing their first win since joining the Rugby Championship and probably haven't had a better chance of victory than they get Saturday against a wounded and weary Australian squad.
The Pumas made five changes to take on the Wallabies, including moving Lyon-bound tighthead prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro into the starting line-up at the expense of Ramiro Herrera, who moves to the bench.
The Wallabies, meanwhile, come into the Test with troubles off the field.
Kurtley Beale was dropped from the 23-man match squad after being involved in an argument with a female Australian Rugby Union staffer during the team's trip over from South Africa after last weekend's loss to the Springboks.
The incident is under investigation by the ARU's integrity unit, but reportedly isn't entirely responsible for Beale's absence – the Australians opted for a six-forwards-two-backs split on the replacements bench, which meant no space for Beale.
The title race is over, anyway, with the undefeated New Zealand clinching the championship with a 34-13 win over the Pumas in Argentina last weekend.
The biggest surprise for the Pumas for their last Test of the campaign was centre Marcelo Bosch's demotion to the reserves bench, replaced by regular wing Horacio Agulla.
Bosch, who has missed only one Rugby Championship match in three years, needs a rest, head coach Daniel Hourcade explained.
Another change saw Rodrigo Baez in for France-based flank Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, who returned to Toulon last week for the birth of his second child, a boy.
"We've tried to balance the physical aspect without altering the team structure too much," Hourcade said.
"There are players who have had a long year and played almost every minute in the tournament and are starting to feel the wear and tear of such a demanding competition."
Hourcade says he likes the Australian style because it is "the most creative, the most compelling."
At the moment, it's probably the most controversial, too.
Australian coach Ewen McKenzie revealed in the hours leading up to his squad announcement that he'd referred the Beale matter to the ARU's integrity unit, and told local media it was a "complicated" matter.
Beale remained in Argentina with the squad and was available for selection, while the female staffer returned to Australia.
McKenzie's decision on the six-two bench meant Rob Horne was selected as the utility backline ahead of Beale. There was no comment on Beale, who played most of the second half in the 10-28 loss to South Africa last week.
Former skipper James Horwill and back row forward Scott Higginbotham were recalled to the starting line-up to replace lock Rob Simmons and No.8 Ben McCalman, who were both injured in the loss to South Africa.
"We recognize the need to have enough strike-power in the forwards to get us through the back end of the game, especially after such a physical encounter against South Africa followed by a difficult period of travel," McKenzie said.
Australia go into the Test with two wins, a draw against New Zealand and away losses to the All Blacks and Springboks.
With injuries and off-field distractions upsetting the Wallabies, the Pumas pose a big challenge on home soil.
The Australians beat Argentina 32-25 at the Gold Coast last month, taking a 29-13 lead then holding off a strong finish from the Pumas.
Players to watch:
For Argentina: The strike power in the Argentinean backline lies with fullback Joaquín Tuculet and centre Juan Martín Hernández, but flyhalf Nicolás Sánchez is the man who pulls the strings. The revamped loose trio of Leonardo Senatore, Benjamín Macome and Rodrigo Báez will also have their work cut out.
For Australia: You will always start with Israel Folau, even though he has been very effectively shut down by some opponents. Tevita Kuridrani will be a handful for the Pumas defence and Bernard Foley is under pressure to convince his detractors he is the answer to Australia's flyhalf poser. Scott Higginbotham will also have a point to prove at No.8.
Head to head: There's some interesting contests all over the park, but none more intriguing than the front row – where the interpretation of Welsh referee Nigel Owens will have a lot to do with the outcome of the set-piece contest between Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Agustín Creevy and Marcos Ayerza (Argentina) against Sekope Kepu, Saia Fainga'a and James Slipper (Australia).
Recent results:
2014: Australia won 32-25, Gold Coast
2013: Australia won 54-17, Rosario
2013: Australia won 14-13, Perth
2012: Australia won 25-19, Rosario
2012: Australia won 23-19, Gold Coast
2003: Australia won 24-8, Sydney (World Cup pool match)
2002: Australia won 17-6, Buenos Aires
2000: Australia won 32-25, Canberra
2000: Australia won 53-6, Brisbane
1997: Argentina won 18-16, Buenos Aires
Prediction: Argentina have lost each of their last nine Tests against the Wallabies, though four of the five Rugby Championship clashes between the sides have seen the Pumas pick up a losing bonus point. Argentina have played two Tests at this venue, losing 17-22 to South Africa last year and also playing out a 16-all draw against the same opposition a year before, their only non-defeat in this tournament. Despite making 33 fewer carries and having just 42 percent of possession in the first clash between the nations this season, the Pumas still managed eight clean breaks to the hosts' nine. Argentina have failed to score a try in four of 17 Rugby Championship Tests, but never against Australia. However, the Wallabies have scored at least one try in 21 of 22 meetings with Argentina, including 14 in five meetings in this tournament. Australia have the lowest line-out (79 percent) and scrum (76 percent) success rates in the tournament thus far. Argentina have won nine penalties or free-kicks from opposition scrums in this tournament, more than twice as many as any other nation. Argentina will never have a better chance to break their Rugby Championship duck than on Saturday and given the turmoil in the Wallaby camp, we back the home team to sneak in by about five points.
Teams:
Argentina: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Juan Imhoff, 13 Horacio Agulla, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Lucas González Amorosino, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Benjamín Macome, 6 Rodrigo Báez, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Mariano Galarza, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustín Creevy, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Matías Cortese, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Ramiro Herrera, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Javier Ortega Desio, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Marcelo Bosch, 23 Jerónimo De la Fuente.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Horwill, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Jake Schatz, 21 Matt Hodgson, 22 Nic White, 23 Rob Horne.
Date: Saturday, October 4
Venue: Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Kick-off: 19.40 (22.20 GMT, 09.40, Sunday, October 5 AEST)
Expected weather: Rain is very likely, at about 90 percent. High of 18°C and a low of 13°C
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Leighton Hodges (Wales)
TMO: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)
AP & rugby365
