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Seven days on from a competitive battle in Mendoza, Argentina and Australia meet again in San Juan. The round two fixture of the 2022 Rugby Championship is important for both teams as the tournament unfolds. There are also prime opportunities for players to press as the World Cup draws closer.
Argentina’s preparations were affected; Pablo Matera, Matías Orlando and Santiago Cordero were all in doubt for the match. Matera has been delcared fit and will start at the back of the scrum. Orlando and Cordero will miss the match with Matías Moroni and Juan Imhoff starting in their places.
Michael Cheika has also gone for selection changes. The youth of Thomas Gallo replaces Argentina’s most capped prop, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro at loose head while Tomás Cubelli is replaced by Gonzalo Bertranou. The scrum-half change follows Bertranou’s strong matches against Scotland in July.
Australia’s line-up sees changes too. Backs Hunter Paisami and Quade Cooper miss the match injured and prop Allan Alaalatoa has also returned to Australia. Veteran Cooper is replaced by James O’Connor while Lalakai Foketi starts in the centers. Elsewhere, Rory Arnold comes in to the side to play in the second-row.
The Tongan Thor Taniela Tupou returns to start at tight head and was named to do so together in a front-row with Folau Fainga’a at hooker. Instead, a late change sees Fainga’a out of the test match and Lachlan Longeran named to start. Lonergan will have his first test start. His place on the bench goes to Billy Pollard, the third choice hooker at the Brumbies.
Tupou and Lonergan will be joined by captain James Slipper in the front-row. Slipper continues to lead the team with regular skipper, Michael Hooper taking time off.
Argentina seemingly had control in game one in Mendoza. Australia responded to take the lead in the final quarter for the first time in the match. From there the Wallabies dominated to finish with a bonus point win.
One lesson from Mendoza is the use of the replacements. Another is to maintain focused for the duration of the contest. Australia’s mental toughness was a factor in the outcome. Argentina need players to stand-up once Julián Montoya is replaced. This is a 23-man game.
San Juan has been a go-to venue for Argentina over the years. Saturday’s fixture will nonetheless be the first Rugby Championship match in the city. A large crowd is certain to be on hand. The cheering home supporters will be a factor to assist Montoya and his team.
TEAMS
ARGENTINA
1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Julián Montoya (capt.), 3 Francisco Goméz Kodela, 4 Matías Alemanno, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Juan Martín González, 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Pablo Matera, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Santiago Carreras, 11 Juan Imhoff, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 13 Matías Moroni, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 15 Juan Cruz Mallía
Replacements: 16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Facundo Isa, 20 Rodrigo Bruni, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Tomás Albornoz, 23 Lucio Cinti
AUSTRALIA
1 James Slipper (capt.), 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Rory Arnold, 5 Darcy Swain, 6 Jed Holloway, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Rob Valetini, 9 Nic White, 10 James O’Connor, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 13 Len Ikitau, 14 Jordan Petaia, 15 Tom Wright
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Irae Simone, 23 Reece Hodge
Date: Saturday, August 13
Kickoff: 4:10pm (AR)
Venue: Estádio del Bicentenario, San Juan (AR)
Referee: Karl Dickson (UK)
Assistant Referees: Mike Adamson (UK); Chris Busby (IR)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (ZA)
Broadcasts: ESPN, Star+ (Argentina)
RECENT RESULTS
2022/08/06 – Argentina 26, Australia 41 (Mendoza, AR)
2021/10/02 – Australia 32, Argentina 17 (Gold Coast, AU)
2021/09/25 – Australia 27, Argentina 08 (Townsville, AU)
2020/12/05 – Australia 16, Argentina 16 (Sydney, AU)
2020/11/21 – Australia 15, Argentina 15 (Newcastle, AU)
2019/07/27 – Australia 19, Argentina 10 (Brisbane, AU)
2018/10/06 – Argentina 34, Australia 45 (Salta, AR)
2018/09/15 – Australia 19, Argentina 23 (Gold Coast, AU)
2017/10/07 – Argentina 20, Australia 37 (Mendoza, AR)
2017/09/16 – Australia 45, Argentina 20 (Canberra, AU)
2016/10/08 – Argentina 21, Australia 33 (London, UK)
2016/09/17 – Australia 36, Argentina 20 (Perth, AU)
2015/10/25 – Australia 29, Argentina 15 (London, UK)
2015/07/25 – Argentina 9, Australia 34 (Mendoza, AR)
OVERALL RESULTS
Australia Wins 28
Argentina Wins 6
Draws 3
