Australia V Argentina: 5 Key Battles That Will Shape Rugby Championship Clash
Argentina make their last away trip of this year's Rugby Championship on Saturday, travelling to the Gold Coast with the hope of stunting the Wallabies' recent rise in the rankings.
A more impressive showing in Week 3 saw Ewen McKenzie's men claim a 24-23 win over South Africa, while the Pumas lost to New Zealand 28-9, their most deserving defeat of the 2014 tournament thus far.
Daniel Hourcade's visitors are growing into a more significant challenge in the southern hemisphere competition, and the Wallabies aren't likely to treat their threat lightly come Saturday's clash.
Prior to the meeting, we examine a host of key head-to-head encounters likely to tip the balance as Australia go in search of back-to-back victories.
1. Matt Toomua vs. Juan Martin Hernandez
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Each holding past records at fly-half, Matt Toomua and Juan Martin Hernandez face off in what promises to be a stellar battle of brains at inside centre.
Both playmakers have shown their worth in a carrying capacity, but one can certainly expect a slowed line speed to feature prominently at the Cbus Super Stadium as those No. 12 combatants look to make use of their substantial kicking abilities, too.
In Israel Folau and Joaquin Tuculet, Toomua and Hernandez, respectively, each have talented fullback runners at their disposal who make the use of high ball. Another key factor will lie in how Tevita Kuridrani and Marcelo Bosch float off their partners' shoulder, making the midfield a particular point of intrigue.
It's been difficult for "El Mago" to find consistency among the international ranks after contending with injury setbacks for so long, but his wisdom in Argentina's core gives Hourcade a rounded and elusive X-factor.
2. Michael Hooper vs. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe
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A wealth of back-row icons in this competition hasn't made matters easy for Michael Hooper on the individual scale, especially as he attempts to guide his side through the fog as captain.
However, even with those specialists in view, the Waratahs staple has given a fine account of himself, and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe is just another giant obstacle now set in his sights.
The Pumas' openside hasn't been the star of his team's show this year, or perhaps at least not on the scale some may have expected, no longer the captain under Hourcade.
That being said, while Hooper may hold an advantage in the scrap for breakdown dominance, it's in the loose that these two are set for a most explosive collision. Every scrum and maul will likely be viewed as a carrying opportunity for these peel-and-run titans, the battle of the No. 7s poised for fireworks.
3. Bernard Foley vs. Nicolas Sanchez
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Bernard Foley showed some errors in judgement upon making his first Rugby Championship start last Saturday, but Australia's newly instated No. 10 grew into the role and eventually worked out the kinks.
That being said, Nicolas Sanchez promises to be a more to-the-point opponent on the Gold Coast than Morne Steyn perhaps was, with the South American being of a riskier variety than his South African counterpart.
Foley may not be afforded as much time in the pocket for decision-making, but Sanchez's fiery tempo also opens up holes of its own, evidenced in the three tackles he missed against the All Blacks, despite making just seven attempts.
The Wallabies' playmaker will look to exploit that potential gap with plenty of inside runners hoping to get in on the action, but lapses in judgement from Foley, such as sloppy kickoffs and poor territory attempts, need to be limited in number.
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4. Tatafu Polota-Nau vs. Agustin Creevy
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After suffering injury in the Super Rugby final against the Crusaders, Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau makes his way back into McKenzie's side this weekend to earn his 50th international cap.
And he'll need to reacclimatise quickly if Australia are to hold their own against an Argentina pack that brings some of the Pumas' biggest strengths with it, led by captain Agustin Creevy.
Even during their drubbing at the hands of the All Blacks, Argentina managed to do more than their part at the set piece, stealing two of the enemies' scrums and losing just one of their 16 line-out throws, per ESPN Scrum.
The slightest stumble from Polota-Nau could see Saturday's visitors gain an edge they'll be all too happy to pounce upon, with Creevy showing his own might in the three matches played.
5. Rob Horne vs. Juan Imhoff
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Nick Cummins' move to Japan may have left Australia wondering who would fill his void on the wing, and Rob Horne has made his presence felt after starting in every game as of yet.
Last week, it was his well-taken cross over the whitewash that led the Wallabies to the slightest of victories over the Springboks, and he'll be hoping to do even more damage against Juan Imhoff.
The Racing Metro speedster makes his full return from injury to get his first start of this year's Rugby Championship after managing a 15-minute cameo against New Zealand last time out.
While Horne may be a serious threat on Argentina's line, his own back has to be watched as his defensive skills are perhaps more questionable, his one tackling attempt against South Africa having been missed.
A fresher pair of legs for Imhoff could be a small factor worth considering for the clash, but what should be an accommodating setting on the Gold Coast makes for promising, fluid hands through the backs, giving these two their opportunity to duel directly.
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