Argentina vs. Australia: Winners and Losers in 2015 Rugby Championship Game

Australia buried the ghost of last season's defeat to Argentina with a 34-9 win in Mendoza, Argentina, on Sunday.

Tries from Joe Tomane, Dean Mumm, Tevita Kuridrani and Adam Ashley-Cooper sealed a handsome tally on the scoreboard in a performance that still leaves plenty of questions to answer for Michael Cheika.

Australia's scrum was suspect, and there remains a degree of uncertainty about the best creative axis Cheika should field come World Cup time.

For the Pumas, it's a second straight defeat in this year's Rugby Championship, but their gaze already seems fixed on matters in England later this year.

Here are the winners and losers from Mendoza.

Loser: Wallaby Scrum Still an Issue

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Despite the presence of former Pumas hooker Mario Ledesma on the coaching staff, the Australian scrum remains a problem.

The home side put Australia into trouble on a few occasions, sending yet more clear signals that this is where England and Wales can dominate them in their key World Cup pool clashes.

The Sydney Morning Herald's Paul Cully wrote: "The Wallabies still do not give the impression that they have a scrum that can win a World Cup. Last week's impact men, Greg Holmes and Scott Sio, both found themselves in retreat on occasion. ... England and Wales will still feel Australia's chronic weakness can be a fatal one."

Winner: Dean Mumm

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After a five-year absence from the green and gold, per Phil Lutton of the Sydney Morning Herald, second row Dean Mumm marked his return with a stunning try in Mendoza.

The big lock fended off five tackles as he powered down Australia's right touchline for a try that he will dine out on for some time. He told Lutton, "To be honest, I've been out of the Test arena for a couple of years, so I was stoked to touch the ball in a Test match, let alone get a try or a carry. I only had one Test try previously and it was about two metres out, so this was an improvement."

Loser: Pumas' Lack of Depth Showing Through

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Argentina still lack the numbers to rest players and remain competitive.

Without experienced backs such as Juan Martin Hernandez and Joaquin Tuculet, their attack lacked spark, and the hard running offered by Juan Manuel Leguizamon was also missed in the back row.

It is understandable that coach Daniel Hourcade has to look after many of his prized assets with the World Cup fast approaching, and it looks as though this championship has been sacrificed on the altar of World Cup 2015.

If nothing else, that is a shame for the passionate fans who turned up to cheer them on in Mendoza.

Winner: David Pocock

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Another man who was making a long-awaited start after an absence from the Test arena was David Pocock, and the flanker seized his opportunity.

Coach Michael Cheika was certainly impressed, per ESPN.co.uk. "I thought he was excellent," Cheika said. "He took a few opportunities on the ball and made a few runs, so he's improved his ball carry this year immensely."

ESPN's stats also point to Pocock's fine performance, with 18 tackles and 54 metres run with the ball. Open-side flanker is probably the Wallabies' strongest area, as Pocock and Michael Hooper are both world-class operators in the No. 7 shirt.

Loser: Quade Cooper

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The unlucky centre Matt Toomua departed with a head injury early in the contest and was curiously replaced by Quade Cooper.

The Reds fly-half did not enjoy a successful spell in that unfamiliar role, capping his evening with a yellow card for a high shot on Nicolas Sanchez.

Cooper is already under pressure for his starting place, as Bernard Foley and Matt Giteau are both viable options for Michael Cheika to consider, and this display did not do him any favours.

The Sydney Morning Herald's Paul Cully wrote: "Cooper ran sideways and foolishly earnt a yellow card with a high tackle that was more petulant than malicious. Of the candidates for the 10-12 roles, it may be that the injured Matt Giteau emerged with the most credit, or at least the fewest question marks."