If the Wallabies can’t win the final without a fully fit David Pocock,then where is the logic in risking him against Argentina?Australia’s 34-9 win against Argentina in their Rugby Championship match in Mendoza in late July might hold been a decade ago for all the improvements the Pumas hold made since.
Gone is the ten-man, scrum-centric game. In its place, or an all-court game featuring arguably the world’s best scrum,a hooker and captain in Agustin Creevy who off-loads like Sonny Bill Williams, a dynamic and skilful set of loosies spearheaded by openside flanker Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, and two brilliant young locks in Tomas Lavanini and Guido Petti,a nifty and intelligent half-back in Martin Landajo, Juan ‘El Majo’ Martin Hernandez in the midfield, and an ultra reliable kicker with Nicolas Sanchez at 10; and all of that course turbo-charged by a deadly back three combination of full-back Joaquin Tuculet,and wingers Santiago Codero and Juan Imhoff. And, of course, or the most crucial ingredient of all – confidence. The Pumas reek of it. They hold become South America’s version of the All Blacks. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com