Australia vs. Argentina: Biggest Deciding Factors in Rugby Championship Clash

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: September 11, 2014

commentComment        

All eyes might be on Wellington this weekend as world champions New Zealand face South Africa in the fourth round of the Rugby Championship, but Australia's clash against Argentina on the Gold Coast could be just as significant.

The Wallabies, who grabbed a dramatic late win over South Africa last weekend, know that only another victory will do if they are to have any chance of claiming the title.

But it will be far from straightforward against an Argentinian side that look to be edging ever closer to their first victory since joining the competition in 2012.

Both sides have been forced into changes ahead of the clash, with Australia missing vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper and No. 8 Wycliff Palu through injury and the Pumas without suspended lock Tomas Lavanini.

The return of hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau for his 50th cap will be a boost for the Wallabies, though. The 29-year-old has not played since injuring his knee in the Super Rugby final on Aug. 2, but he has been thrown straight back into the starting line-up by head coach Ewen McKenzie to replace James Hanson.

As reported by The Rugby Paper, McKenzie said:

Tatafu has been a true servant to the game of Rugby in Australia for a long time and I couldn’t be more pleased to see him earn his milestone 50th game for the Wallabies this week.

I’ve known Tatafu for a long time and he is guy who puts his body on the line each and every week for the benefit of the team. He gives it his all every time he takes the field and is also an outstanding teammate off it.

I think I speak for everyone when I congratulate Tatafu on this significant accomplishment.

The Wallabies will hope that Polota-Nau's return will strengthen their set piece, which has looked inconsistent so far.

They are the fourth-ranked team in lineout success (75.8 per cent) during the competition and also trail New Zealand (85 ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

Latest News


Comments

Comments are closed.

Sponsors

Bruins Tickets The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Red Wings Tickets The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.

Penguins Tickets The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New York Rangers Tickets play their home games at Madison Square Garden, they are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, having joined in 1926 as an expansion franchise, and are part of the group of teams referred to as the Original Six.

San Jose Sharks Tickets The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States.

Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New Jersey Devils Tickets The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Washington Capitals Tickets The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Sabres Tickets The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. Get the Sabres and all of your NHL Tickets here.

NASCAR season is on of the most attended sports in the world. NASCAR Tickets to the best tracks is a must every year. Some of these tracks are: Talladega Tickets, Lowes Motor Speedway Tickets, Pocono Raceway Tickets, located in Ridgeway Virginia you have Martinsville Speedway Tickets and southern US you have two of the most popular Atlanta Motor Speedway Tickets and Texas Motor Speedway Tickets. Don't miss all the racing events this year!

Boston Red Sox Tickets The Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since 1912, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. This is one of the hottest MLB Tickets sales of any team in the major league.

New York Yankees Tickets The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get tickets to one of the hottest games of the season Yankees Red Sox Tickets.

Chicago Cubs Tickets The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League.

Phillies Tickets The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883.

Orioles Tickets The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you love wrestling? Get your WWE Tickets and WWE Survivor Series Tickets today!