After each copping big losses in the first round, Australia and Argentina will look for improvement when they clash at the CommBank Stadium on Saturday.
The Rugby Championship: Round Two
Australia v Argentina
Saturday 15 July
CommBank Stadium
11:45
To Win
Australia 2/7 | Draw 25/1 | Argentina 11/4
Handicap
Australia (-8.5) 9/10 | Argentina (+8.5) 9/10
Eddie Jones’ return to the role of Wallabies head coach didn’t exactly go according to plan last week, with his new look side going down 43-12 to the world champions in Pretoria. He’ll look for some big improvement fast as the Aussies prepare for the first of two home Test matches, with former boss Michael Cheika’s Argentines heading to West Sydney this weekend.
Experienced co-captain Michael Hooper (calf injury) will be missed, with fellow co-captain James Slipper, Quade Cooper and Nick White needing to step up.
While playing at home will give the men in gold an advantage, another weak defensive effort against the South Americans will leave them vulnerable.
Sweet off the hip 🤌
— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 13, 2023
We've uploaded this 2021 match against Los Pumas in full on our YouTube channel!
Give it a watch to get pumped for Saturday 👉 https://t.co/B2M7EfiIbj#AUSvARG #Wallabies @eToroAU pic.twitter.com/HnIyOimC6j
Argentina fell 12-41 to the All Blacks in Mendoza in round one. It’s a disappointing result given the big steps forward the side has taken under Cheika, but they have the opportunity to right some wrongs here.
If they can bring their trademark physicality to this one they will cause the hosts trouble but it’s tough seeing them getting over the line this weekend.
Verdict: Argentina on the plus
While more teething problems from Australia are to be expected, they should still do enough to take the win.
Teams
Australia
15 Tom Wright, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper (c).
Subs: Jordan Uelese, Angus Bell, Pone Fa’amausili, Matt Philip, Rob Leota, Josh Kemeny, Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon.
Argentina
15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Santiago Grondona, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Thomas Gallo.
Subs: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Hahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Lucas Paulos, 20 Rodrigo Bruni, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Nicolas Sanchez, 23 Matias Moroni.
