RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Chance for Argentina

15.09.2012
Argentina v Australia in Gold Coast (Rugby Championship)

Venue: Skilled Park

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Preview
There is every reason to think that an upset is on the cards. Is this the occasion for Argentina to strike and cause the first turnover of this Rugby Championship?

Reasons why

• Argentina showed last weekend against the All Blacks that they can match if not better the opposition in the forwards. Roncero and co have got what it takes.
• The Pumas showed a steely resolve on defence. Some of their tackles would have made a Samoan raise his eyebrows with glee.
• Out wide they have the pace to outpace anybody if they get the ball.
• Nobody has more passion for the game than the Argies. Glimpses of blue and white support in the crowd last week showed that.
• Australia are at rock bottom..almost. Nathan Sharp becomes captain number four. Take out Genia, Pocock, Horwill etc and we are down to the non-playing reserves. Those left are mostly playing below usual form

Reasons why not

• Argentina has travelled around the earth in total several times since the start of the competition. Tiredness?
• Australia playing on home soil.
• That’s it! Argies to win.

What has been a bit of a surprise is that the last time these two teams faced each other was at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Last Five Encounters
10.10.2003 Australia 24-8 in Sydney (World Cup, Pool A)
02.11.2002 Australia 17-6 in Buenos Aires
24.06.2000 Australia 32-15 in Canberra
17.06.2000 Australia 53-6 in Brisbane
08.11.1997 Argentina 18-16 in Buenos Aires

Australia Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
08.09.2012 v South Africa W 26-19 in Perth (Mandela Cup, Rugby Ch.)
25.08.2012 v New Zealand L 0-22 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Ch.)
18.08.2012 v New Zealand L 19-27 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Ch.)23.06.2012 v Wales W 20-19 in Sydney
16.06.2012 v Wales W 25-23 in Melbourne

Argentina Last Five P 5, W 1, D1, L 3
08.09.2012 v New Zealand L 5-21 in Wellington (Rugby Championship)25.08.2012 v South Africa D 16-16 in Mendoza (Rugby Champ.)
18.08.2012 v South Africa L 6-27 in Capetown (Rugby Champ.)
23.06.2012 v France L 10-49 in Tucuman
16.06.2012 v France W 23-20 in Cordoba

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Australia 3rd, Argentina 5th

IRB Ranking Points
Australia 86.62, Argentina 79.34

Prediction: Argentina by 5 points

Teams

Australia
15 Berrick Barnes, 14 Domonic Shipperley, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper,
12 Patrick McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nicholas Phipps,
8 Radike Samo, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 David Dennis, 5 Nathan Sharpe (Capt),
4 Kane Douglas, 3 Benjamin Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements
16 Stephen Moore/Saia Fainga'a, 17 James Slipper, 18 Scott Higginbotham,
19 Liam Gill, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Anthony Fainga'a, 22 Kurtley Beale.
Head Coach: Robbie Deans

Argentina
15 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch,
12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez,
9 Martin Landajo, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (capt), 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Julio Faras Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza,
3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements
16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 18 Leonardo Senatore, 19 Tomas Leonardi, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 Martin Rodriguez, 22 Juan Imhoff.
Head Coach: Santiago Phelan