Preview: Australia v Argentina

Argentina will be sensing blood on the Gold Coast on Saturday when facing Australia, with their drought looking like ending sooner rather than later.

They have gone close several times now in this tournament and one feels the victory is coming - they might fancy their chances on Saturday.

Crazy talk? Maybe not, as one wonders what that late win over the Boks took out of the Wallabies and with rain forecast, this could be their time.

Twelve months ago the Wallabies claimed a narrow Round 4 win over the Pumas in Perth to seal their first points of the Rugby Championship. However, they'd count themselves fortunate to survive the expected scrum assault as they held on in the second 40 without scoring a point.

Yes, they did beat the Pumas comfortably in Rosario in the finale as Argentina's second Rugby Championship had clearly caught up with them. Surely though - and after what we have witnessed thus far in 2014 - the majority of Australian fans are expecting more Perth than Rosario.

Argentina are looking like the real deal in terms of becoming a threat to the big southern trio as there is depth, power, class, intelligence and hunger in their camp. Imagine what a victory would do to their psyche, especially with a Rugby World Cup fast approaching.

The Wallabies will in turn be determined not to let their good work of a week ago come to nothing as they will know by kick-off time whether second place is in their sights; or if South Africa shock New Zealand, the Rugby Championship title suddenly comes back into focus.

Of course, looking at the table is not something they will be doing as there are many areas that homework will have needed to be done should Australia come through this one without being defeated. You've guessed it, the scrum is where the Wallabies will be most concerned.

Tatafu Polota-Nau's comeback from an MCL injury is perfectly timed as bare bones does not come close to how Australia are stocked at hooker. Apologies to the incumbents - James Hanson didn't let himself down last weekend - but the absence of veterans Polota-Nau and Stephen Moore has been felt. There will be no easing back into matters, however, for the Waratah as in Agustín Creevy he faces one of the stand-out scrummaging hookers.

Everyone's favourite rugby celebrity's "up the guts" mantra (we miss him) will undoubtedly be adopted by Argentina and it's whether Australia can deal with such an assault that remains the prediction tipping point. If they can and don't leak points because of it, then threats such as Matt Toomua, Tevita Kuridrani and Israel Folau can do the necessary damage. Again though, wing depth is a worry with Henry Speight watching on waiting patiently for his bow.

Argentina have no such problem, as will be mentioned below, and with rain forecast in the day, they will fancy their chances up front before a familiar spine of their line-up - led by Nicolás Sánchez - looks to have their say going forward. Then will arrive the Wallaby artillery off the replacements bench in the form of Kurtley Beale and Scott Higginbotham so if Argentina do manage to win this Saturday, no one will argue that they didn't deserve it.

Ones to watch:

For Australia: A massive opportunity awaits Ben McCalman as he steps in for Wycliff Palu due to the Waratah's concussion. McCalman has been a consistent performer for both the Western Force and Wallabies over the years and we expect another strong showing from him on the Gold Coast, which would help silence those shocked by his elevation over Scott Higginbotham. Higginbotham will feature - and make an impact - off the bench, so it is a move McKenzie has got right on paper as McCalman's physical style should help combat the Pumas forward pack. Another man to watch if last week is to go by is replacement Kurtley Beale. What an impact he made for his side against the Boks in those final eight minutes.

For Argentina: This is arguably Argentina's strongest backline and with both Juan Imhoff and Manuel Montero having fresh legs from having played fifteen and zero minutes respectively in Napier, the Wallabies had better be alert to their threat. 22-year-old Montero continues to live up to his billing on the international scene and will be delighted to be back in light blue this week. Power, speed and ever growing in confidence, Peter Betham is set to have his hands full. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe will as always be a workhorse.

Head-to-head: We all saw what the Pumas front-row did to the Springboks and all eyes will therefore be fixated on the first set-piece on Saturday. Can the Wallaby scrum hold its own this weekend? That is a big question as Marcos Ayerza, Ramiro Herrera and Agustín Creevy are giving all their rivals a tough time this season. James Slipper, Sekope Kepu and the returning Tatafu Polota-Nau have to come to the party or the pressure and points will come.

Recent results:

2013: Australia won 54-17 in Rosario
2013: Australia won 14-13 in Perth
2012: Australia won 25-19 in Rosario
2012: Australia won 23-19 on Gold Coast
2003: Australia won 24-8 in Sydney
2002: Australia won 17-6 in Buenos Aires
2000: Australia won 32-25 in Canberra
2000: Australia won 53-6 in Brisbane

Prediction: Expect nothing in this for the majority before the cavalry arrive. Australia by 1!

The teams:

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 James Horwill, 20 Scott Higginbotham, 21 Matt Hodgson, 22 Nic White, 23 Kurtley Beale.

Argentina: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Juan Imhoff, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Manuel Montero, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Mariano Galarza, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Matías Cortese, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Benjamin Macome, 20 Rodrigo Báez, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 23 Lucas González Amorosino.

Date: Saturday, September 13
Kick-off: 20:05 local (11:05 BST, 10:05 GMT)
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Assessor: Donal Courtney