When Michael Cheika took over as coach of Argentina he stated his predominant intention was to construct a group for subsequent 12 months’s Rugby World Cup, but ahead of Saturday’s clash with South Africa in Buenos Aires, he’s nonetheless dreaming of successful the Rugby Championship.
Argentina’s Australian coach Michael Cheika (C) talks to the gamers as they heat up earlier than the series-deciding worldwide rugby union third check match towards Scotland on the Madre de Ciudades Stadium in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, on 16 July 2022. Picture: Pablo GASPARINI/AFP
BUENOS AIRES – When Michael Cheika took over as coach of Argentina he stated his predominant intention was to construct a group for subsequent 12 months’s Rugby World Cup, but ahead of Saturday’s clash with South Africa in Buenos Aires, he’s nonetheless dreaming of successful the Rugby Championship.
The Pumas started this week backside of the desk however solely some extent off the leaders New Zealand, who thrashed them 53-3 of their earlier outing.
Ahead of that match, although, Argentina had been prime of the standings with all 4 sides successful two and shedding two of their opening 4 video games.
It’s a mark of how shut this season’s championship has been.
The Pumas are actually 5 factors behind the All Blacks, who earned a controversial and dramatic final gasp 39-37 win in Australia on Thursday, having performed a recreation much less.
But all 4 sides can nonetheless win the competitors.
“It is up to us to keep The Rugby Championship open and alive,” stated Australian Cheika after making seven modifications to his group.
Two weeks in the past, Argentina suffered their heaviest ever Rugby Championship defeat to the All Blacks, per week after recording their first ever victory in New Zealand.
Cheika insisted there will likely be no hangover from their hiding.
“When we got back to work at the start of the week, everyone had a good attitude, very positive and have concentrated on the strategy for the game,” he stated.
“It will be important to impose our way of playing. South Africa are a lot different to play against than Australia and New Zealand. It will be a different dynamic.”
‘TOUGH PLAYERS’
With New Zealand taking part in at dwelling to Australia subsequent week, South Africa scrum-half Faf De Klerk is aware of that realistically his facet might want to win their closing two matches towards Argentina to have any likelihood of ending prime.
“All the teams are aware of how close the log is in the competition, so we know that we probably need to get five points in (each of) our next two matches,” stated De Klerk this week.
“If we play to our potential, hopefully we can achieve that this weekend, and then we’ll see next week exactly what we need to do in Durban.”
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named an unchanged line-up following their bonus level 24-8 win in Australia final day trip.
He made three modifications to the bench, bringing in Harlequins’ wrecking ball Andre Esterhuizen, who’s wanting ahead to a midfield battle ought to he come on.
“They have good centres. I’ve played against Jeronimo de la Fuente and Matias Moroni and they are tough players who run good lines and are solid on defence,” he stated.
De la Fuente begins after recovering from damage whereas Moroni drops to the bench.
Argentina have solely gained three of their 32 matches towards the Boks, the final of these coming in 2018.
They have had 4 successive defeats since.
But on this event they’ve already recorded their document victory over Australia (48-17) and their first win away to New Zealand (24-18) so confidence is excessive.
Teams (15-1):
Argentina:
Juan Cruz Mallia; Emiliano Boffelli, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Matias Orlando, Lucio Cinti; Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou; Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez; Tomas Lavanini, Matias Alemanno; Eduardo Bello, Julian Montoya (capt), Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Thomas Gallo, Joel Sclavi, Guido Petti, Rodrigo Bruni, Tomas Cubelli, Benjamin Urdapilleta, Matias Moroni
Coach: Michael Cheika (AUS)
South Africa:
Willie le Roux; Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Damian Willemse, Jaden Hendrikse; Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (capt); Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Faf De Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Frans Steyn
Coach: Jacques Nienaber (RSA)
Referee: James Doleman (NZL)