Wallabies wary of improving Pumas

Many have been crying for them, but Argentina believe their time has come and a “special day” awaits on the Gold Coast.

After three seasons and 15 matches, with only one draw to show for their time in The Rugby Championship, the Pumas say they are finally ready to pounce and close out a Test win.

In a worry for the Wallabies on Saturday night, inspirational captain Agustin Creevy declared his team had learned from heart-breaking fade-outs to be on the cusp of an historic performance.

“We have had a lot of chances to win,” the hooker said on Friday. “Every match we can win, but tomorrow is a special day for us.”

The Pumas’ last victory in Australia was way back in 1983 when their superboot Hugo Porta was acclaimed as the best flyhalf in the world.

It will take some more magic from sniping No.10 Nicolas Sanchez behind a powerhouse forward pack, hungry for scrum dominance, to break the drought.

Their Rugby Championship hoodoo looked over three weeks ago when they led South Africa 28-16 with 21 minutes left in Salta but wilted to fall 33-31 at the death.

It was the same story on the Gold Coast two years ago, up 19-9 with 20 minutes to go before falling 23-19, while Argentina failed to convert their forward dominance in pelting rain last season in Perth, when Australia held on by their fingernails to win 14-13.

Creevy has huge respect for the Wallabies, rating them even better now than when they blitzed his side 54-17 last year, but says his improved Pumas are far more confident and composed.

“We have grown up a lot and have confidence in our side,” he said.

“We have to have an excellent match for 80 minutes and concentrate for 80 minutes.”

The scrum battle between the front-rows, particularly at hooker where milestone man Tatafu Polota-Nau goes head to head with Creevy, will be pivotal to the result.

In Rosario last October, the Wallabies took the wind out of Argentina’s sails by luckily withstanding seven straight scrums, and having a man sin-binned in the process, before their backs cut loose in general play.

Wary Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper predicted a high-tempo attacking game if forecast rain stays away from Cbus Super Stadium, but he knows they also have to cope with the Pumas’ unique game of quick, short off-loads close to the ruck.

Hooper pointed to Polota-Nau, celebrating his 50th Test cap, as the man to fill the injured Wycliff Palu’s boots and lead the way in his long-awaited return from a knee injury.

“Taf, like Cliff, is always able to make game changing plays – big tackles and great runs,” Hooper said.

“He’s really stepped up as a scrum leader (this week), and has definitely dominated the scrum and given it direction.”

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