The second round of the Rugby Championship sees both teams that lost last week face off as Australia welcomes Argentina to their backyard.
Both teams have been named for the clash and Planet Rugby takes a closer look at what a combined XV would look like.
Combined XV
15 Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina): A bit tough on Tom Wright of the Wallabies who is always a keen runner and one looking to make things happen. What separates the Argentine is his kicking ability both out of hand and at goal. He, like all his team-mates, will have to wipe the horrors of last weekend from memory and come out with a solid performance. Expect the Boff to the back at his mercurial best.
14 Mark Nawaqanitawase (Australia): The star wing was harshly left out last weekend by Eddie Jones in a decision that truly backfired. However, the Waratah is back and will make an immediate impact. He looked so comfortable in the Test arena at the end of last year and will add much more potency to the backline.
What a performance from Mark Nawaqanitawase 🥵
The young winger scored 2️⃣ in the thriller against @WelshRugbyUnion#WALvAUS #Wallabies @eToroAU pic.twitter.com/OAs10QAtgb
— Wallabies (@wallabies) November 26, 2022
13 Len Ikitau (Australia): It is hard to play behind a retreating pack and Ikitau found that out last weekend. He is a quality player who will be desperate to make his mark this weekend. His overall skill-set has always been very impressive, particularly in his link-up play. Nevertheless, a big game is required from the Wallaby if he is to give his team something to hold onto.
12 Samu Kerevi (Australia): Sorely missed last weekend but is back against Argentina. The robust world-class running of Kerevi is up there with the best in the world. His ability to make metres in contact, beat defenders and offload make him a key player in Wallaby Gold. He is just back from injury but that means little for a man of his quality. Expect the veteran to be in and around all the good coming from the Australian backline.
11 Marika Koroibete (Australia): The powerhouse wing did not have any chance to make a difference last weekend and will be eager to do so this weekend. The quality of the man is obvious, physically he is powerful, quick and has a great engine on him. Outside of that, he has that natural finishers instinct that simply cannot be coached. There are few better than Koroibete at his best and he is never far from it.
10 Santiago Carreras (Argentina): Whilst both the Argentine and Quade Cooper did not have their best games last weekend, Carreras earned selection through his Test form over the last year. At times he has attacked the line with guile and stunning skill, pulling the strings in the Argentina attack. He will need to be back on his game and get a one-up on his opposite number for his side to down the Wallabies.
9 Nic White (Australia): The veteran scrum-half was quick to admit how far off the Wallabies were last week and no doubt would have been working tremendously hard to right that. If he can get a better platform from his pack he can make a more tangible influence on the game. He still is a quality star and will be hoping to show that.
Powerful set of forwards
8 Rob Valetini (Australia): The Brumbies back-row has been a stalwart for club and country in recent years and seldoms disappoints at the base of the scrum. Blessed with a brilliant skill-set, the 24-year-old enjoys the physical nature of the game and presents a genuine threat on attack but also renowned for putting in big hits on defence.
7 Fraser McReight (Australia): The 24-year-old has shone at club level for the Reds of late and was one of the best openside flankers on display in Super Rugby Pacific this year. A brilliant breakdown exponent, McReight usually wins his fair share of turnovers but also thrives as a ball carrier and gets through plenty of work on defence.
6 Pablo Matera (Argentina): The former Los Pumas captain is one of the best back-rows in the world and will walk into just about any international team based on his excellent all-round ability. A fierce competitor, with a high work-rate, Matera is sure to empty the tank whether that is on attack or defence and he is also competitive at the breakdowns.
¡Mirá los mejores momentos de Pablo Matera con Los Pumas en 2022! 🇦🇷#VamosLosPumas pic.twitter.com/aTwstNz19z
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) November 20, 2022
5 Will Skelton (Australia): The La Rochelle man’s return to international rugby has brought plenty of physicality to the Wallabies’ ranks and he will be crucial in that aspect as they build towards the Rugby World Cup in France later this year. Apart from that, the behemoth lock does well in the execution of his core duties and he comes into our team ahead of Tomas Lavanini.
4 Matias Alemanno (Argentina): The Gloucester second-row is a valuable source of possession with his excellent work in the lineouts and his vast experience at international level gives him an edge over Wallabies rookie Richie Arnold. Apart from his prowess at the lineouts, Alemanno is a willing ball carrier and prolific on defence, especially at close quarters.
3 Allan Alaalatoa (Australia): Although the 29-year-old came off second best in the scrums against the Springboks last week, it doesn’t mean he’s a bad player and expect him to bounce back with a strong performance in Sydney this week. Lively in the loose, he will be in the thick of the action from the outset and give nothing less than 100% throughout.
2 Julian Montoya (Argentina): Wallabies hooker David Porecki has shown considerable improvement in his game but it’s not enough to come in ahead of Montoya in our team. Argentina’s skipper is an experienced campaigner, who usually empties the tank for the Pumas cause and seldom takes a backward step on attack and defence.
1 James Slipper (Australia): The Wallabies skipper is one of the most experienced front-rows around and his presence will be crucial in Sydney, especially after co-captain withdrew through injury. A solid scrummager, Slipper will be hoping to dominate in that department against Francisco Gomez Kodela. He will also be expected to give his team momentum as a ball carrier.
READ MORE: The simply RIDICULOUS combined All Blacks and Springboks XV
Article courtesy of
Source link
