The Wallabies are preparing to unleash a monster pack against Argentina, including the shock selection of twin towers Kane Douglas and Sitaleki Timani alongside skipper Nathan Sharpe.
All three locks appear set to start at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito in one of the biggest-ever forward packs fielded by Australia.
Bracing for another highly physical assault by the Pumas, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is looking to power up his forwards so they’re not belted out of the breakdown contest like they were by South Africa last weekend in Pretoria.
Deans will name his team on Thursday morning (Friday night AEST) but blind-side flanker Dave Dennis looks a certain fall guy for destructive NSW teammate Timani.
A shining light in the Wallabies pack before straining his hamstring last month, Timani trained in the No.6 position with the likely Australian starting 15 at Rosario’s high-society Jockey Club grounds on Tuesday afternoon.
Fellow 120kg-plus Waratahs lock Douglas lined up in the second-row with Sharpe, who will break George Smith’s record as the Wallabies’ most-capped forward when he plays his 111th and penultimate Test on Saturday night.
It gives the pack great height and weight – 916kg in all (average 114kg) – with No.8 Radike Samo shrugging off a shoulder knock to remain the fourth lineout jumper.
Queensland back-rower Scott Higginbotham (back) was rested from training but he appears unlikely to return ahead of Timani or Samo.
The increase in size comes as forwards coach Andrew Blades admitted the collision zone would be the most important part of the game for an Australian side battered 31-8 by the Springboks.
“To play well against the Pumas you first do the hard work and that’s where we suffered on the weekend – around the (breakdown),” Blades said.
“The Pumas are a very good team around the tackle (area). We need to improve well there to get momentum to play good rugby.”
Dennis may not be the only axing from Australia’s pack with prop Benn Robinson, who has regularly been replaced after 30 minutes in the Rugby Championship, under pressure from James Slipper.
Slipper trained with the main 15 but Robinson still packed down at loose-head for a lot of the scrummaging work.
There will be at least two forced changes to the backline, and possibly one more with winger Digby Ioane (knee) also rested from training.
Highlighting the Wallabies deep injury woes, New Zealand-born Queensland goalkicker Mike Harris is set to become Australia’s fourth different starting fullback in five matches following the dual loss of Berrick Barnes and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Deans will keep the other No.15 contender, Pat McCabe, at inside centre during training to continue his combination with rejuvenated five-eighth Kurtley Beale.
Anthony Faingaa will join McCabe in the midfield while winger Nick Cummins is on standby for Ioane, who is desperate to play.
Probable Wallabies starting team: Mike Harris, Dom Shipperley, Anthony Faingaa, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane/Nick Cummins, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps; Radike Samo, Michael Hooper, Sitaleki Timani, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Kane Douglas, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper.
