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Recap: Wallabies v Los Pumas LIVE | Rugby Championship
Follow all the action from the second round of The Rugby Championship live on RugbyPass as Australia host Argentina at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
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Australia come into the game under serious pressure, last weekend’s 17-35 defeat away to South Africa being their 10th in their last 14 matches.
Coach Michael Cheika has made five changes to his starting 15 and a further five to his reserves. Scott Sio is the only change to the forward pack as the 55-Test veteran returns from a hamstring injury that forced him out of last weekend’s loss in Johannesburg.
Will Genia, Christian Leali’ifano, Marika Koroibete and Kurtley Beale will all start in a new-look backline as combinations continue to be tested before the World Cup in Japan later this year.
? Willy G bids farewell to the Cauldron. #GoldBlooded #AUSvARG
?: https://t.co/wT54UslCo9 pic.twitter.com/6VMJdlHozM
— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 25, 2019
Saturday’s clash will be a memorable occasion for Genia, with the half-back set to play his last-ever game at Suncorp Stadium following his decision to retire from Test rugby at the end of 2019.
Suncorp Stadium has proven a happy hunting ground for the wily No9, who currently boasts 10 wins from his 12 games in the Wallaby jersey at the venue.
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Meanwhile, veteran hooker Agustin Creevy has been left out due to injury as Argentina coach Mario Ledesma made five changes to his side.
Mario Ledesma fue parte del staff de Australia y desde que se fue ya lo enfrentó dos veces, en el #PersonalRugbyChampionship 2018. Logró un triunfo (23-19 en Gold Coast) y una derrota (34-45 en Salta). pic.twitter.com/INnbIPTv9H
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) July 26, 2019
The Pumas came agonisingly close last weekend to a first-ever victory over New Zealand but succumbed to a 20-16 defeat.
Creevy did not travel with the squad to Australia due to a muscle problem and is replaced in the front row by Julian Montoya.
Toulon back row Facundo Isa comes in at No8 in place of Javier Ortega Desio while Tomas Lezana plays at blindside flanker instead of Marcos Kremer.
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After losses last week @qantaswallabies and @unionargentina meet at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – teams are out with Wallaby James O'Connor in squad after a 6-year absence
Team News: https://t.co/oMbfWyznuk pic.twitter.com/Sa079jg4es— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) July 25, 2019
Santiago Cordero, who moved from Exeter to Bordeaux-Begles during the off-season, comes in at right wing in place of Matias Moroni, who moves to outside centre as Matias Orlando drops to the bench. The final change sees Joaquin Tuculet picked at full-back ahead of Emiliano Boffelli.
AUSTRALIA – 15. Kurtley Beale (84 caps); 14. Reece Hodge (34), 13. Tevita Kuridrani (59), 12. Samu Kerevi (26), 11. Marika Koroibete (20); 10. Christian Lealiifano (19), 9. Will Genia (101); 1. Scott Sio (55), 2. Folau Fainga’a (8), 3. Sekope Kepu (104), 4. Izack Rodda (18), 5. Rory Arnold (20), 6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (12), 7. Michael Hooper – captain (92), 8. Isi Naisarani (1). Reps: 16. Tolu Latu (12), 17. James Slipper (87), 18. Taniela Tupou (12), 19. Rob Simmons (95), 20. Luke Jones (3), 21. Nic White (23), 22. Matt To’omua (43), 23. James O’Connor (44).
ARGENTINA – 15. Joaquin Tuculet (52 caps); 14. Santiago Cordero (33), 13. Matias Moroni (41), 12. Jeronimo de la Fuente (47), 11. Ramiro Moyano (31); 10. Nicolas Sanchez (75), 9. Tomas Cubelli (70); 1. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (51), 2. Julian Montoya (52), 3. Juan Figallo (27), 4. Guido Petti (24), 5. Tomas Lavanini (51), 6. Pablo Matera – captain (59), 7. Tomas Lezana (31), 8. Facundo Isa (25). Rep: 16. Santiago Socino (21), 17. Mayco Vivas (1), 18. Ramiro Herrera (39), 19. Matias Alemanno (54), 20. Juan Manuel Leguizamon (85), 21. Felipe Ezcurra (3), 22. Joaquin Diaz Bonilla (2), 23. Matias Orlando (40).
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