Argentina v Australia: Key points ahead of World Cup semi-final
Last Updated: 25/10/15 12:30pm
Argentina will be looking to make their first ever Rugby World Cup final when they take on Australia at Twickenham on Sunday.
Australia have been in the final three times - winning it twice - and are favourites to make it to a fourth. They have been the in-form team of the tournament and topped the 'Pool of Death' by beating England and Wales. They may have struggled against Scotland but still scored five tries to three and will be determined to get back to their best against Argentina.
The Pumas lost to New Zealand in their opening game but built solidly through the Pool games to set up a quarter-final against a much-fancied Ireland. However they produced one of their best performances ever to hammer the Irish 43-20.
Both sides have developed in recent years and are serous contenders for the title. We look at five key talking points.
The art of scrumming
Argentina will be looking to do what Wales and England failed to do and that is to take Australia apart up front. The Pumas front five have been formidable this World Cup - just ask Ireland who found themselves in reverse from the first scrum in their 43-20 loss to a rampant Argentina. However Australia's scrum has been pretty impressive thanks to former Puma's hooker and now Wallaby scrum-doctor Mario Ledesma.
Exactly what Ledesma has done is a bit of a mystery but it all boils down to the famed 'Bajada' scrum that his countrymen have perfected. The principles behind the Bajada scrum is a unified effort that is focused on one area - all eight players are focussing to get all their power through the hooker. Ledesma has introduced this to the Wallabies and it is showing impressive results already.
"If you want to get your scrum right then you bring in someone from Argentina," said former Wallaby hooker Phil Kearns.
"We know that they have had the best scrum in the world for a long, long time. He [Ledesma] has got them doing the basics right - you stay straight, you stay tight and you push."
Augustin Creevy and Stephen Moore are the two men that will feel plenty of pressure on Saturday - not only are they the two captains but they are also the hookers on whose shoulders the power of the scrum is on.
Australia may have lost loosehead prop Scott Sio but James Slipper is determined to make the most of his chances. Slipper will win his 73rd cap on Sunday making him Australia's most capped prop of all time, and they will need all of his experience when he comes up against Ramiro Herrera.
Herrera was very, very good in the set-piece against Ireland - although less so around the field where a shoulder charge on Keith Earls saw him yellow-carded. He was also warned a second time for not using his arms at the breakdown which could have easily led to a second yellow and therefore a red card.
The final piece of the Argentine's formidable front row is prop Marcos Ayerza, who is relishing the battle.
"It's another cherry to add to a world championship semi-final (and) a nice challenge to face a team looking to dominate in the scrum," hetold Argentine newspaper La Nacion.
"Let's hope it's a great contest."
A final thought for Ledesma on Sunday who will no doubt be torn between cheering on his countrymen or his Australian students. He has asked Australia head coach Michael Cheika permission to sing the Argentina national anthem in the coaching box before kick-off, and knowing rugby, that will be no problem at all.
Back to the Backs
Australia may have found a scrum but Argentina have found a pretty potent backline who love to attack. Traditionally Argentina have relied on their powerful pack and a fly-half with one heck of a boot. They still have that, but have developed a real attacking skill-set in their backs.
At No 12, Juan Martin Hernandez is a real playmaker with sublime hands who knows when to give the ball width and when to kick. Hernandez and No 10 Nicolas Sanchez play a very similar role to Australia's Bernard Foley and Matt Giteau; using space and excellent passing skills to create opportunities for their men out wide.
The Pumas back three - full-back Joaquin Tuculet and wingers Santiago Cordero and Juan Imhoff - have been superb this campaign and have tested any defence they have come up against. Australia are not too shabby themselves and the return of Israel Folau at full-back means their attacking options are back to full strength.
Bernard Foley v Nicolas Sanchez
Pumas fly-half Nicolas Sanchez has shown his class this tournament. He is a serious contender for the No 10 jersey in the World Cup XV as his boot has kept the scoreline ticking over. With 74 points to his name so far, he is the second highest points scorer this tournament behind Scotland's Greig Laidlaw and has slotted an impressive 26 out of 30 penalties and conversions.
But he is not all about the boot. Like all No 10's he seems to have plenty of time on the ball and is always looking for what is on. As stated above he has the impeccable Hernandez outside of him which helps in his decision making.
Foley has also been superb for Australia. Yes he may have stuttered against Scotland but he was the man the match against England and was excellent against Wales. Plus, he pulled himself together to slot that winning penalty against Scotland too.
Argentina will be wary of Foley's skill-set; his pace and awareness often catches defences on the hop and he loves to attack the gainline. He has the experience of Giteau outside him - a man who knows Sanchez very well from Toulon - and while all the talk may be about who is the better playmaker, it could come down to who gets their kicking right on the day.
All about the breakdown
The return of David Pocock is a massive boost for Australia. His impact at the breakdown is exceptional and Argentina will be looking to nullify him as much as they can.
"Last week we said the key was in the breakdown [against Ireland] and now we must multiply our defensive attributes because Australia are the best team in the world at the breakdown," said Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade
"Our defence is going to be fundamental... Australia's capacity in ball-winning is very high, they're a team with an average (per match) of 12-14 balls recovered at the breakdown."
Hourcade went on to say that Argentina will be looking to stop Australia in the first two phases of their attacks to be able to control them. Flankers Pablo Matera and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe have made some waves themselves with their breakdown play and will be the main men to stop the Wallaby attacks.
No 8 Leonardo Senatore's breakdown stats are not that impressive - in fact he hasn't won one - but he is one of the main ball carriers for the Pumas and a fantastic support runner.
Michael Hooper and unsung hero Scott Fardy join Pocock in Australia's back row and whether they are hunting as a pack or split up to cause maximum disruption, the Pumas will be looking to at least get parity at the breakdown.
Hooker Creevy has been like another flanker for Argentina in this area - on top of doing his No 2 duties to the highest level. Will he be the difference?
Who will handle the pressure?
Australia know a thing or two about knockout games and what it takes to win them. Argentina on the other hand are heading into uncharted waters. They made the semi-finals in 2007 losing to eventual winners South Africa 37-13. They did go on to beat France in the third-place play-off but they will be looking to go at least one better in 2015.
That South American passion and emotion runs strong through this Pumas team but they will need to keep that under check - especially in the first 20 minutes.
There has been a lot of talk in the Argentinian camp this week about playing without fear and to not worry about the pressure - easier said than done when you have the hopes of a nation relying on you. There is no doubt that the Rugby Championship has given Argentina the confidence that they can mix it with the big boys and they should not be overawed by the occasion.
A lot has been said about them over-celebrating their win against Ireland, but there is that South American joy and panache coming to the fore again. Australia may have that big match temperament but is it a match for the Latin temperament?
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia; 1 James Slipper, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Kane Douglas, 5 Rob Simmons, 6 Scott Fardy, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 David Pocock.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Argentina: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Juan Martin Hernandez, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Martin Landajo; 1 Marcos Ayerza, 2 Agustin Creevy (c), 3 Ramiro Herrera, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 8 Leonardo Senatore.
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 23 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.