Australia look to bounce back in Rugby Championship opener against Cheika's Argentina
The teams come into the game in Mendoza fresh from contrasting results in their respective three-test series last month.
While the Wallabies were beaten 2-1 by England, Argentina scrapped a last-gasp series success over Scotland despite multiple injuries as they hosted test rugby for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was a winning start to Cheika’s tenure with Argentina, who have won just six of 52 previous Rugby Championship games.
They will be hoping to turn that around whilst also rectifying their head-to-head record against the Wallabies. In 36 previous clashes, Argentina has only won six times, with three draws and 27 wins for Australia.
Cheika was Australia's coach from 2014-19 but he does not expect any inside knowledge to make much of a difference on Saturday.
"I know a few things about the Australian players and they know a few things about me, but it's been a long time and there have been a lot of changes in the team," he said at the pre-match news conference.
“At the end of the day, it's about how the team prepares for the game. One may have some qualified information about the other, but it is something insignificant, it is not decisive."
Argentina's pack is back to full strength and the Wallabies have opted for a six-two split of forwards and backs on the bench, with Australia coach Dave Rennie expecting a battle up front.
“We’ve got genuine guys who can change the game on the bench as well, get us go forward and then defensively give us massive work rate," Rennie said after naming his team on Thursday August 4th.
“We’re certainly aware of the enemy, we know what’s coming. That’s a good side that will take confidence from a series win against Scotland.”
Both coaches have freshened up their sides for Saturday's battle.
Rennie has made seven changes from the team that lost their series decider against England last month, including a return from injury for mercurial fly-half Quade Cooper (34) and a debut for blindside Jed Holloway (29). There could be another debutant off the bench for the Wallabies in prop Matt Gibbon (27).
Meanwhile, Cheika has made six changes to the side he picked for their most recent clash with Scotland. Captain and hooker Julian Montoya (28) returns in a completely new front row while Cheika has also made two changes in the back row and one at lock.
Australia will play successive matches in Argentina before returning home to face South Africa and New Zealand next month whereas Argentina will travel to face the All Blacks following the double-header with the Wallabies.
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