Australia v Argentina Gold Coast, 10.05am Sky Sports 2
The sandy beaches and glitzy night-spots of the Gold Coast have long catered to Australians coming in from the cold and so they provide a suitable venue for the Wallabies to fire up their Rugby Championship hopes against Argentina on Saturday.
To the surprise of some, Australia remain in the hunt halfway through the four-nation southern-hemisphere tournament courtesy of a last-gasp 24-23 win over South Africa in Perth last weekend.
The victory was coach Ewen McKenzie’s first over a traditional southern-hemisphere power, easing the pressure after the humiliation at the hands of the world champion All Blacks the week before.
For Argentina, it’s deja vu. Another season of promise and another round of ringing endorsements from observers only to produce three straight losses and a reinforcement of doubts about the team’s mental fortitude when victory comes in sight.
Australia have used Argentina as a springboard to turn around their fortunes in their last two campaigns and will again be looking to open the floodgates at Robina Stadium.
The Pumas, as always, will pin their hope on their meaty pack, while the Wallabies will be grateful for parity at the set pieces to at least give their classy backs a chance to shine.
Key to McKenzie's hopes of anchoring the forwards is the return of Tatafu Polota-Nau, easing the "hooker's curse" that has seen a clutch of Australian rakes injured.
Peter Betham comes in on the right wing for Adam Ashley-Cooper, while Ben McCalman replaces number eight Wycliff Palu, who suffered a head knock against the South Africans.
McCalman’s selection, which sees backrow enforcer Scott Higginbotham remain in the replacements for another week, says much about McKenzie’s faith in his bench to get his team over the line.
Australia may ultimately have the edge in that respect, with live wire Kurtley Beale also resting on the pine for a second straight week.
Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade has rotated his wingers from the side that lost to the All Blacks 28-9 in Napier last week, bringing in the hulking Manuel Montero on the left wing and the dangerous Juan Imhoff on the right.
After damp conditions in New Zealand, Argentina will hope for better weather in Queensland to allow their wingers time and space to thrive but may not get their wish with rain and thunder-storms forecast for the usually sun-drenched Gold Coast.
