Preview: Argentina vs Australia

For Australia and Argentina, just as for New Zealand and South Africa, the 2015 Rugby Championship is all about testing selection options, trying to decide which game strategy options are most effective, and improving on execution. The coaches are in the process of specifying the players and strategies best suited to their quest to win the World Cup.

Australia’s fightback from what appeared likely defeat to score a winning try off the last movement against South Africa will have given the players a boost in confidence and a belief that they can beat any team if they execute accurately. Argentina fought strongly to remain competitive against New Zealand, but errors on defence cost them points and their ability to attack through skill and flair remains limited. Attacking from inside their own half cost them, because they don’t have the backs to penetrate from so far out.

After losing nine consecutive Tests against Australia, Argentina beat the Wallabies 21-17 in Mendoza last October to win their first-ever Rugby Championship match. A second win in a row against the Wallabies would be a major boost to Puma rugby, and their chances of doing so should not be discarded, as playing at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza can be intimidating for visitors, and the Pumas will be hyped up to deliver another victory for their passionately vociferous Cuyo supporters.

Areas where each team will be looking for specific improvement are for Australia to limit the number of turnovers conceded, with last week’s 18 a real worry, and for Argentina, their scrummaging – a traditional Puma strength, which made the 75% success rate against the low scrummaging New Zealand highly disappointing, and a woeful 82% tackle success rate last week.

Michael Cheika says he will give every player in his full Wallaby squad game-time during the Rugby Championship and his selection trials continue, with a host of players still in contention for the World Cup. He has, however, again eschewed the opportunity to play two of Rugby Union’s most influential players David Pocock and Michael Hooper in tandem.

Key players:
For Australia: The new 8-9-10 selection, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley. Matt Toomua, starting at inside centre with Matt Giteau injured. Tighthead Greg Holmes, effective as a sub against the Springboks last week, gets his first Test start since 2007. The inspirational Israel Folau and David Pocock. For Argentina: The new back three comprising Santiago Cordero at fullback and wings Gonzalo Camacho and Juan Imhoff, wily Martin Landajo, brought back in at 9, and captain Agustin Creevy, both as hooker and leader.

The big match-ups:
The potent Argentinian lineout driving maul vs the Australian forwards defence of it. In the scrums, Ramiro Herrera vs James Slipper, while Holmes faces a tough reintroduction to Test scrummaging up against powerful, technically astute Marcos Ayerza. At 9, Landajo vs Phipps. Out wide, Imhoff vs Adam Ashley-Cooper.