ARGENTINA v AUSTRALIA: Rugby Championship

14.09.2013

Venue: Patersons Stadium

Referee: Nigel Paterson (Wales)

Preview
Every so often the destiny of a rugby nation may well rest with it’s next rugby test match. For Australia, more so than Argentina, today’s test match in Perth may well be a case in point.

Australia has failed to win a test match under its new coach Ewan MacKenzie. With the demise of Robbie Deans came with it a wave, almost a surge, of optimism. Surely Australia’s fortunes must turn. They haven’t. Australian rugby, and MacKenzie face the daunting task of fighting for survival in world rugby and the Rugby Championship in particular. Another loss and Australian rugby will plummet depths not seen since the mid seventies.

Argentina also need a win. They are beginning to match it with the big boys of test rugby but are yet to record a win in this competition. The last two tests has seen a vast improvement (Graham Henry’s presence in the coaching room no coincidence) and a feeling that Argentina is ‘almost there’. Whilst not yet at any crossroad another loss may dampen the rugby euphoria being experienced in the South American nation.

During the week I wrote ‘Argentina and Australia will be battling for the Wooden Spoon. Neither are yet to win and both have problems leading into this game. Argentina showed they can perform away from home by pushing the All Blacks last weekend in Hamilton. But they have been on the road for two weeks and the travel will take its toll.

Australia have injury and form problems. Captain James Horwell is still unavailable and Will Genia, who replaced Horwell as captain has been placed on the bench. Coach MacKenzie has made five changes to the side that lost heavily to South Africa last weekend. Whoever loses this match will have an uphill battle to stay away from the bottom of the table.’

Last Five Encounters
06.10.2012 Australia 26-19 in Rosario (Rugby Championship)
15.09.2012 Australia 23-19 in Gold Coast (Rugby Championship)
10.10.2003 Australia 25-8 in Sydney (World Cup, Pool A)
02.11.2002 Australia 17-6 in Buenos Aires
24.06.2000 Australia 32-25 in Canberra

Argentina last defeated Australia in 1997, winning 18-16 in Buenos Aires

Australia Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
07.09.2013 v South Africa L 12-38 in Brisbane (Rugby Championship)24.08.2013 v New Zealand L 16-27 in Wellington (Rugby Champ.Bled. Cup)
17.08.2013 v New Zealand L 29-47 in Sydney (Rugby Champ. Bled. Cup)06.07.2013 v British and Irish Lions L 16-41 in Sydney
29.06.2013 v British and Irish Lions W 16-15 in Melbourne

Argentina Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
07.09.2013 v New Zealand L 13-28 in Hamilton (Rugby Championship)24.08.2013 v South Africa L 17-22 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
17.08.2013 v South Africa L 13-73 in Bloemfontein (Rugby Championship)22.06.2013 v Georgia W 29-18 in San Juan
15.06.2013 v England L 26-51 in Buenos Aires

GWC Rugby Rankings
Australia 11th, Argentina 15th

IRB Ranking Points
Australia 83.67, Argentina 76.41

Prediction: Australia should win this but I’m picking Argentina to win on the basis of their rapid recent improvement, Australia’s poor form and that Graham Henry factor.
Argentina by 3 points.

TEAMS

Australia

15		Israel Folau	NSW Waratahs
14		James O’Connor	Melbourne Rebels
13		Adam Ashley-Cooper	NSW Waratahs
12		Christian Leali’ifano	ACT Brumbies
11		Nicholas Cummings	WA Western Force
10		Quade Cooper	Queensland Reds
9		Nicholas White	ACT Brumbies
8		Benjamin Mowen (Capt.)	ACT Brumbies
7		Michael Hooper	NSW Waratahs
6		Scott Fardy	ACT Brumbies
5		Kane Douglas	NSW Waratahs
4		Robert Simmons	Queensland Reds
3		Benjamin Alexander	ACT Brumbies
2		Stephan Moore	ACT Brumbies
1		James Slipper	Queensland Reds
16		Saia Fainga’a	Queensland Reds
17		Scott Sio	ACT Brumbies
18		Sekope Kepu	NSW Waratahs
19		Sitaleki Timani	NSW Waratahs
20		Benjamin McCalman	WA Western Force
21		William Genia	Queensland Reds
22		Matthew Toomua	ACT Brumbies
23		Tevita Kuridrani	ACT Brumbies
		HEAD COACH: Ewan MacKenzie

Argentina

15		Juan Martín Hernández	Racing Metro 92, France
14		Horacio Agulla	Bath Rugby, England
13		Gonzalo Tiesi	London Welsh, England
12		Felipe Contepomi	Stade Français, France
11		Juan José Imhoff	Racing Metro, France
10		Nicolás Sánchez	Union Bordeaux Bègles, France
9		Tomás Cubelli	Belgrano Athletic
8		Juan Manuel Leguizamón	RC Toulonnais, France
7		Pablo Matera	Asociación Alumni
6		Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Capt.)	Sale, England
5		Julio Farías Cabello	London Welsh, England
4		Manuel Carizza	Racing Metro 92, France
3		Juan Figallo	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
2		Agustín Creevy	Worcester Warriors, England
1		Marcos Ayerza	Leicester Tigers
16		Eusebio Guiñazú	Bath Rugby, England
17		Nahuel Lobo	Newcastle Falcons, England
18		Juan Pablo Orlandi	Bath Rugby, England
19		Mariano Galarza	Leinster, Ireland
20		Benjamín Macome	Tucuman Rugby
21		Martin Landajo	Club Atletico San Isidro
22		Santiago Fernández	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
23		Lucas González Amorosino	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
		HEAD COACH: Santiago Phelan

Copyright: This article is protected by copyright. No copying of any part of this content is permitted without permission of the owner.