The Wallabies will take their most experienced front-row of the Rugby Championship into Saturday night’s Test against Argentina after vice-captain James Slipper has overcome injury and sickness concerns.
Slipper has been nursing a shoulder-neck injury, which forced him from the field in last week’s 24-23 win over South Africa, and had also been among five players laid low by a gastro bug.
Coach Ewen McKenzie always expected the hard-working prop to start against the confrontational Pumas pack but said he needed to train well on Thursday morning.
Slipper, and the entire 23-man squad, completed the session to end any worries sick players would fail to make the match at Cbus Super Stadium.
The 55-cap loosehead will line up with recalled hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, set for his 50th Test, and seasoned tighthead Sekope Kepu in a front-row braced for a pivotal scrum battle.
Argentina, aiming for a breakthrough Rugby Championship victory, haven’t beaten the Wallabies since 1997 and are also without a win over them in Australia for 31 years.