Argentina vs. Australia: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and 2015 TRC Preview

Rob BlanchetteJul 23, 2015

The southern hemisphere's Rugby Championship moves on to its second instalment in the late hours of Saturday night, as the much-fancied Australia travel to South America to face Argentina.

The Wallabies were successful in their opening tie of the competition as they edged out South Africa with a last-gasp try from Tevita Kuridrani. The Aussies took the game 24-20 to break the Springboks' hearts.

The Argentinians were not so lucky in their first match as they fell at the feet of the dominant New Zealand—the champions for the past three years.

Argentina To Halt Wallabies Charge

Argentina's Los Pumas' prop/hooker Lucas Noguera (C) vies for the ball with New Zealand's All Blacks' prop Joe Moody (C-R) during their Rugby Championship fifth round match at La Plata stadium in La Plata, Argentina on September 27, 2014. AFP PHOTO / AL

ALEJANDRO PAGNI/Getty Images

In years gone by, this game would have been a spectacle of Australian dominance against one of the minnows of world rugby, but times have now changed.

Argentina have grown from the lower echelons of the sport to become one of the fiercest competitors on the planet, leading the South American charge in the code.

The All Blacks found this out in the opening game of TRC 2015, and despite running over five tries against their plucky visitors—they had to play to a high capacity to take the win.

Argentina's main issue is how to deal with world-class individuals, while playing their swashbuckling style of rugby.

ESPN.co.uk's John Mitchell highlighted Argentina's problems, which are likely to repeat themselves in the immediate future:

"
As far as the Pumas are concerned, they are asking for trouble when trying to run the ball out of their exit area using their small backs. I admire their approach, but I don't believe it will bring them success at the World Cup. They should rather play like that once they are in the opposition half. Moreover, Argentina's scrum came off second best because the All Blacks started low and stayed low.
"

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Michael Hooper of the Wallabies and team mates pack down a scrum during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South Africa Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on July 18, 2015 in Brisbane, Australia

Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Despite the Pumas' troubles in the scrum, the Wallabies have also had problems with this part of the game and have looked to an Argentinian for help.

Buenos Aires native Mario Ledesma has been called upon by Australia to drill their players at the scrum, in preparation for their TRC campaign and World Cup charge, as reported by RugbyWeek.com.

Ledesma played 84 times for his nation over a 15-year period, and takes over as the Wallabies' forwards coach.

The Associated Press (h/t RugbyWeek) reported Ledesma's thoughts on his new role and what he is trying to achieve with the Australian scrum:

"
What we are trying to do here, and I think we did it really well during the Super Rugby, is change that perception everyone has of the Australian team. If you look at most of the Australian teams throughout the (Super Rugby) competition, they were dominating in the scrums, especially the Queensland Reds.
It's just showing everybody that we're there to scrum, and we want to contest. We want to dominate over there and we want the least amount of penalties possible and get the referee out of the picture.
"

James Horwill (L) embraces Scott Fardy (C) and Tatafu Polota-Nau (R) of Australia as they celebrate their victory after the Rugby Championship Test match between Australia and South Africa at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on July 18, 2015. AFP PHOTO / PATRIC

PATRICK HAMILTON/Getty Images

Argentina's successes against the All Blacks came from set pieces and driving mauls, and Ledesma knows his forwards need to deal with the pressure and threat much further up the field.

Australia are still heavy favourites for the tie, with Argentina only winning one TRC game in their history. But the home team do have some distinct strengths—that were on display against New Zealand—and the Aussies may find their own weaknesses play into Argentinian hands.

The presence of Ledesma could be the important factor here as he gives the Wallabies the lowdown on his countrymen, and their expected tactics.

But Argentina are no longer the poor man of international rugby union. They can run the ball with flair and verve, and the Australians might be in for a shock on Saturday night.