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Ex-England No10 explains how Australia can exploit 'feeble' Argentina
By Liam Heagney
Former England player Stuart Barnes has claimed that a 3-0 British and Irish Lions series win next year over Australia would be “catastrophic” for the sport down under, but he isn’t yet writing off the Wallabies’ poor Rugby Championship campaign.
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The retired fly-half believes that rugby union is in dire need of a competitive Australia, especially as their recent efforts in heavy back-to-back defeats to South Africa in Brisbane and Perth left so much to be desired.
However, Barnes suggested there is one particular area where Joe Schmidt’s side can start their fightback towards credibility when they take on Argentina in La Plata next Saturday. Writing his latest column for The Times, he suggested: “The Wallabies have a chance by taking on the Pumas at their traditional game. Argentina were once a stronghold of the scrum.
“It can be argued that the absence of scrums for an hour in Wellington, and the plethora of them in Auckland a week later helped explain a thumping, great turnaround (along with a clear pattern of the Kiwis kicking complacency out of their system).
“The very thought of Australia dominating Argentina’s scrum would have been a joke a few years ago but while the South Americans have lost their edge, Australia have a potentially decent scrummaging pack.
“Angus Bell, coming back from injury, had a fine first 40 minutes against the Springboks until a cut above the eye ended his comeback Test match. He is a strong ball carrier but, more importantly, a fine technician in the front row.
“On the tighthead side, the charismatic Taniela Tupou – the Tongan Thor – is one of those players whose presence can lift those around him. Considering Allan Alaalatoa captains the Wallabies from prop, the front row is a potential match-winner.
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“It is not beyond the bounds that Australia will gain a psychological and tactical advantage in the scrums. Whereas South Africa are up there with the All Blacks as the best scrum, Argentina are a feeble reminder of a fabled past.”
Barnes gave his scrum verdict after seeing Los Pumas hammered 10-42 by the All Blacks seven days after they produced a surprise 38-30 round one win. He began his column with a focus on the dire long-term situation the Wallabies find themselves in.
“The Lions can help the Wallaby cause with a series to ignite the spluttering union presence but the home side has to be good enough to make a fight of the three games. A Lions whitewash would be catastrophic – the word is chosen more with care than hype – for one of the world’s great nations of the last 40 years.
“For the sake of world rugby and the Lions, let’s hope Joe Schmidt masterminds some sort of Australian comeback, starting next Saturday.”
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"The Lions can help Australia's cause with a series to ignite the spluttering union presence but the home side has to make a fight of it. A Lions whitewash would be catastrophic for the Wallabies." |??@SBarnesRugby
Tap for his column??https://t.co/vHfiKUhHDI
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) August 22, 2024
Escuchaste eso Argentina?
Los Australianos piensan que eres débil.
Quizás el scrum argentino pueda compartir este chiste...
We do read and speak English, you know?
This article was good for a morning laugh. Just as well JS doesnt pay much attention to the feeble Stuart Barnes. The Wobblies will be desperate, but Los Pumas will have the wood over them for both games.
Feeble Argentina? If they are feeble, then Australia must be nearly non existent. They are quite big mouth, considering Argentina is most likely, definitely going to kick their b*tts. It's 2 home games for the Pumas. They may be inconsistent, but Australia isn't the AB's and the Pumas isn't weak. What excuses will Australia have when the "Feeble" Argies goes back to back on them? Argentina will win both tests. That statement is without taste and won't age well. Don't worry, it will only age a week before reality sets in, then another week when horror joins the table. How are you going to explain the "Feeble" comment to the media then? Fans and haters alike, together with the media is going to rip the Aussies apart. That was a very distasteful choice of words and won't be harmful to Argentina, but definitely to the Australians. Not a good move son.
Stuart Barnes is English oh wonderous genius .....
Feeble Pumas? What is he suggesting? The Wallabies should purposely drop balls to cause scrums?
I’m not so sure the Wallabies scrum is any better than the Pumas, regardless of how poor they truly are in relative terms.
But Barnes is back at his obnoxious best. Never mind.
Typical Barnes. Argentina dropped a little in the second test, NZ were outstanding. The reasons Argentina dominated the first match had a lot of reasons: not lack of scrummaging.
In test 2. I thought ref Piardi's decision to make an example of Argentina deep in their 22 for the five second rule was ridiculous.
You either make your point in a less dangerous part if the pitch (10 metre line) or you verbally make it clear that a penalty is imminent.
Pumas will go double at home against the Aussies. I can't wait for the excuses when they lose both tests against "feeble" Argentina.