Perth: The Wallabies confront an improved Argentina in the Rugby Championship on Saturday as they look to keep the winning habit after finally ending a six-match losing streak.
Michael Cheika’s Australians brought up their first win of the year after overcoming South Africa 23-17 last week, and they will be chasing further improvement against the Pumas.
But Argentina, who have shown the benefits of the Jaguares’ first season in Super Rugby, will be no pushovers in Perth.
The Pumas conquered South Africa 26-24 last month in Salta — their first home win over the Springboks, after going down by just a converted try the previous week.
Last week, Argentina also gave New Zealand problems before the All Blacks powered away in the final half-hour for a 57-22 victory.
“I know the Pumas very well, I know their footy. They can play,” Cheika said.
“They’re going to test us, they can play a lot more offloading and open play, (with) balls back inside.
“They’ll challenge our defence and we’ll need to take a step up, no doubt.”
Wallabies scrum coach and 84-capped Argentine hooker Mario Ledesma said the Pumas now played a different brand of rugby compared to his playing days.
“When I played we didn’t throw the ball around a lot and this team does it a lot. So, the DNA’s changed a little bit, they’re focusing on other skills,” Ledesma said.
He said Argentina’s offloading game against the All Blacks epitomised the improvements they have made.
“Before, they were only playing once every five years against Australia, once every seven years against the All Blacks so it was difficult to feel that you can beat them,” he said.
“Today they’re playing week in, week out against them, then they play Rugby Championship.”
Cheika on Thursday named his sixth different lock combination of the year as he recalled line-out general Rob Simmons in place of Kane Douglas.
Simmons, the only change to the starting side from last week’s much-needed win over South Africa, will partner Adam Coleman in the line-outs.
“I’m not looking for the right mix right now,” Cheika said. “Everyone’s always crying about us having no depth, well we’re taking the measure to create depth (in the second-row).”
Meanwhile, Argentina made four changes to the side that lost to the All Blacks with ACT Brumbies scrum-half Tomas Cubelli earning his first start since last year’s World Cup.
Juan Manuel Leguizamon returns at blindside flanker, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias replaces injured centre Juan Martin Hernandez and Javier Ortega Desio comes in for injured lock Guido Petti.
The Pumas have only won once in 12 Tests in Australia, but that was back in 1983. They have had three narrow defeats in the Rugby Championship away to the Wallabies.
