The weary Wallabies’ deep injury woes have lifted slightly in a much-needed boost for the weekend’s tournament-ending clash with a hungry Argentina.
With more than a star-studded starting 15 already on the sidelines, Australia are expecting some relief on the injury front with powerful trio Digby Ioane, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Radike Samo all set for action in Rosario.
Winger Ioane (knee), hooker Polota-Nau (head, shoulder) and No.8 Samo (shoulder) all suffered painful blows in the second half of last weekend’s 31-8 hammering by South Africa.
The trio – arguably the Wallabies most destructive ball-runners – had initially been in serious doubt for their first Rugby Championship visit to South America but coach Robbie Deans reported on Monday all were recovering well and should be available.
“There’s a couple with niggles but nothing that should rule them out of selection,” said Deans, who badly needs a backs-to-the-wall victory to take the heat off his position.
“We’re hopeful and that is the expectation of the medical staff, that they will all be okay, but obviously we will know more as we start to move.
“It should be clear by Thursday.”
Deans will also have centre Anthony Faingaa (cleared of concussion) available to slot into the midfield but he does have dilemmas in naming his starting 15 on Thursday.
The dual loss of Berrick Barnes and Adam Ashley-Cooper leaves a vacancy at fullback that he is unlikely to fill with new squad addition Luke Morahan, who only arrives in Rosario on Monday night and has had little time in the Australian camp since debuting against Scotland four months ago.
Kurtley Beale is the only other backline member with proper Test experience at No.15 but his display under pressure at five-eighth against the rampant Springboks was a shining light amid the gloom.
Deans listed Mike Harris, Pat McCabe and Dom Shipperley all as fullback options as he must reconfigure a new backline.
The Pumas, searching for their maiden win in the expanded tournament, have far less disruptions and should name a similar team to that which went down swinging against the unbeaten All Blacks 54-15 in La Plata.
Only utility back Martin Rodriguez, who will undergo shoulder surgery, is out of their 22.
Deans denied the 39-point margin in La Plata accurately reflected Argentina’s willing last-start performance.
“The All Blacks made six line breaks and the Pumas made five – the ABs scored seven tries, that’s the nature of the All Blacks,” he said.
“It’s (Argentina’s) last match so they’ll put everything into it but it’s also our last match and we’ll be doing likewise.
“It’s just as important to us.”