26′ Wallabies earn penalty inside Pumas’ 22
The Wallabies have a penalty deep inside the Pumas’ 22.
They opt for a tap.
Can they capitalise on this opportunity?
24′ Daugunu off the pitch
Filipo Daugunu left the field for an HIA.
Carter Gordon is on at fly half, with Ben Donaldson moving to fullback and Tom Wright shifting to the wing.
We’ll let you know if Daugunu is cleared to return to the match.
16′ Wallabies score … maybe?
Harry Wilson has crossed the stripe but the try may be disallowed, despite being awarded.
The TMO is looking at the phase play leading up to the potential try.
16′ Crowd getting restless
Still no score, and the crowd is responding.
Spectators have already performed a wave in the stands.
11′ Wallabies show promising signs
When they have had time with the ball, the Wallabies have looked solid in phase play.
But like the Pumas, they haven’t troubled the scorers as yet.
7′ No score yet
The Wallabies have been on the back foot early, but the Pumas haven’t converted on the possession and territory they have so far enjoyed.
A long way to go, it must be said!
HERE. WE. GO.
There’s the kick-off, with the Wallabies making an immediate error after Filipo Daugunu knocked-on.
Can the Wallabies sweep the series?
Or will the Pumas bounce back after last week’s loss?
We’re about to find out!
Wallabies and Pumas on the field
We’re only minutes away from kick-off in Mendoza.
Both teams have made their way out to the middle for the respective national anthems.
There’s a healthy crowd in the stands, although the weather may have discouraged many to attend.
Who are today’s match officials?
Here are the match officials for today’s Test:
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) and Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Foul play review officer: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
Around the grounds
Speaking of “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” …
The Springboks have moved ahead 2-1 in the series after defeating the All Blacks 29-24 at Soccer City.
The series concludes next weekend in Baltimore.
A slice of history
This is the latest two-Test series between the Pumas and Wallabies in Argentina.
It came about following the decision to pause the Rugby Championship this year.
South Africa and New Zealand decided they wanted to do their own thing, that being the four-Test series billed as “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry”.
The Wallabies toured Argentina back in 1979, marking the first time the teams had met at Test level.
The series was shared 1-1.
Should the Wallabies win in Mendoza, it will be a historic moment.
They haven’t previously swept a two-Test series in the South American nation.
Not long to go
It’s a cold one in Mendoza!
The temperature was hovering around 4 degrees Celsius earlier and it’s overcast.
Happy hunting ground
The Wallabies have a liking for Mendoza on their road trips to Argentina.
They have won three of their four meetings with the Pumas in the city.
The Wallabies’ most recent victory — their third on the trot — came in 2022, when they triumphed 41-26.
Overall, the Wallabies have won 31 Tests between the two nations.
The Pumas have claimed the ‘W’ on 10 occasions, with three Tests drawn.
And the Pumas?
Pumas coach Felipe Contepomi has made four changes to his starting line-up.
Tighthead prop Pedro Delgado, and locks Efraín Elías and Franco Molina were named in the pack, while Nicolás Roger was included at fly half.
Molina will be a familiar name for Australian readers following his stint with the Western Force in Super Rugby Pacific.
He will pack down opposite ex-Force teammate Jeremy Williams in the second row.
The Pumas’ reshaped match-day has forced some positional changes.
Guido Petti was moved from lock to flanker, while Santiago Carreras shifted to fullback.
Facundo Cardozo and Mateo Soler will make their Tests debuts, should they come off the bench.
Overseas club commitments have meant the Pumas are missing a host of their best players for this series.
Here’s the Pumas’ squad:
15. Santiago Carreras
14. Rodrigo Isgró
13. Lucio Cinti
12. Faustino Sánchez Valarolo
11. Ignacio Mendy
10. Nicolás Roger
9. Simón Benítez Cruz
8. Joaquín Moro
7. Guido Petti
6. Pablo Matera (c)
5. Franco Molina
4. Efraín Elías
3. Pedro Delgado
2. Ignacio Ruiz
1. Boris Wegner
Reserves:
16. Leonel Oviedo
17. Mayco Vivas
18. Francisco Moreno
19. Tomas Lavanini
20. Juan Martin Scelzo
21. Facundo Cardozo
22. Gonzalo Bertranou
23. Mateo Soler
How are the Wallabies looking?
Coming off last week’s 27-21 victory in Jujuy, the Wallabies have made a series of changes to their starting XV.
Prominent among those is the return of skipper Harry Wilson at number eight.
Rob Valetini, who wore the eight jersey a week ago, shifts to blindside flanker.
Len Ikitau and Joseph Suaalii reunite in the centres and will play outside Ben Donaldson, who has replaced Carter Gordon at fly half.
Winger Filipo Daugunu is added to the back three, where he will team up with Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright.
Coach Les Kiss has opted for a fresh front row, with Taniela Tupou, Billy Pollard and Angus Bell earning starts.
Congratulations to Wright, who will be playing his 50th Test.
The Wallabies’ matchday squad is as follows:
15. Tom Wright
14. Max Jorgensen
13. Joseph Suaalii
12. Len Ikitau
11. Filipo Daugunu
10. Ben Donaldson
9. Ryan Lonergan
8. Harry Wilson (c)
7. Fraser McReight
6. Rob Valetini
5. Jeremy Williams
4. Josh Canham
3. Taniela Tupou
2. Billy Pollard
1. Angus Bell
Reserves:
16. Josh Nasser
17. Aidan Ross
18. Massimo De Lutiis
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
20. Charlie Cale
21. Kalani Thomas
22. Carter Gordon
23. Isaac Henry
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