Australia’s coach Michael Cheika gestures on the pitch before the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match between Australia and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, London, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)Frank Augstein/Associated Press

The Rugby Championship Odds: Betting Favorite Australia Tipped to Beat Argentina

OddsShark.comSep 13, 2016

The Wallabies gained a confidence boost after breaking a six-game losing streak, but coach Michael Cheika will be warning against complacency in this weekend's match against Argentina in Perth.

Australia came back from an 11-point deficit midway through the first half to beat South Africa 23-17 in the Rugby Championship on Saturday to end its longest losing streak in 11 years.

Sportsbooks now expect the Wallabies to beat the Pumas in Perth this Saturday, paying $1.25 for an Australian win, with $3.80 for Argentina to take the victory, according to website AustralianGambling.com.au.

An Australian win of up to 12 points will pay $2.80, with $5 for Argentina.

The Pumas will pay $14 if they get up by more than 12 points against just $2.10 for the Wallabies to win by the same margin.

With the Australian team yet to be named, the Sydney Morning Herald reported "Cheika hinted that the Wallabies could field another two debutants this week, with prop Tom Robertson and second-rower Lopeti Timani in the frame to be selected for the Argentina match." Seven players have made Test debuts for Australia in six games this year.

Allan Alaalatoa is ruled out of Saturday's Test with a knee injury, while Robertson and Rebels forward Toby Smith have been called into the squad.

The Pumas have proved themselves to be a legitimate competitor in this year's Rugby Championship, downing South Africa 26-24 in the second round before impressing in a loss to world champion New Zealand last week.

The speedy and innovative Argentina tested the All Blacks for much of the game; the 57-22 scoreline did not do them justice.

Wallabies scrum coach Mario Ledesma, a former Argentine international, has been credited with transforming the Wallabies scrum since joining the team, and with improvements in the lineouts evident in the South Africa win, Australia is confident of matching the traditionally bruising Argentine pack.

Australia and Argentina's fourth-round Rugby Championship match kicks off Saturday at 8:05 p.m. AEST.