Puma backline strikes fear into Wallabies

As the Argentinian backline strengthened further with the return of Marcelo Bosch, the Wallabies conceded they can never drop their guard against a team with a dedication for all-out attack.

Argentina showed their desire to attack from anywhere on the field in their 43-20 quarter-final mauling of Ireland, scoring several length of the field tries as winger Juan Imhoff and Joaquin Tuculet shredded the Irish defence.

The return of outside centre Bosch, who slots back into the starting lineup having served a one-week suspension for a spear tackle, should only add to their attacking prowess.

“Our systems have to be in place,” said Wallabies winger Adam Ashley-Cooper.

“We have to be defending front-line, have our backfield sorted. Because they’re going to test us all over the field.

“They’re going to run from deep in their half, they’re going to put up high balls.

“They’re going to test us all around the park – tactically and technically.”

Winger Drew Mitchell, who plays at French club Toulon, knows the talents of Imhoff and his allies well – having matched up against them in the Top 14, where Imhoff represents Racing Metro.

He sent out a warning to teammates that it wasn’t just out wide that Argentina have been attacking and that lazy play anywhere on the field will be punished.

“(It’s) not just for us out wide to have to worry about containing them, it’s for our defence entirely,” Mitchell said.

“Because they’re looking for lazy defenders and guys who might knock off on the inside and make the most of the opportunities on the inside as well.

“They’ve shown the hand that they’re prepared to play from anywhere.

“Some teams prefer to kick out of certain situations, these guys are more than happy to really attack, so it means there’s just no room for assumption against the Argentinians.”

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