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Just like last week, the advertised kick-off time of 2pm is a bald-faced lie. The host broadcaster countdown clock indicates we’ll be underway around 2:16pm. I think I’ll mute the next 38 minutes of uncritical cheerleading.
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Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia v Argentina in round four of the 2025 Rugby Championship. Kick-off at Allianz Stadium in Sydney will be sometime around, but not before, 2pm (AEST).
The feelgood factor in Australian rugby prevails – just – after last week’s nail-biting victory over Argentina in Townsville. Despite the Pumas leading for 81 minutes of play it was the Wallabies who ran out winners, executing a spirited second-half comeback and holding their nerve at the death, finding the match-winning try after repeatedly declining point-blank shots for goal that would have earned a draw.
It was a performance of two halves from the men in gold. The first period was bad old Australia, full of handling errors, indiscipline at the breakdown, and poor kicking options. After a rollicking from the increasingly impressive Joe Schmidt at the break, Australia were transformed at the ruck, the interchange dominated, and confidence began to return.
It was another demonstration of the split personality of this Australian group, one full of potential, but still lacking game management nous. The majority of first XV names are aged 26 or under: Max Jorgensen is a star at 21, Joseph Sua’ali’i a worthy marquee at 22, and Angus Bell is a world-leading prop at 24. There remains a gaping hole in the halves, and the constant chopping and changing of 9s and 10s through form and fitness continues to deny the Wallabies a clear identity. With Tom Lynagh going down again Schmidt is onto his third starting flyhalf in four matches, all of their partnering a scrumhalf who announced his retirement a month ago.
For Argentina last week was further confirmation that they belong at this elite level. A stronger interchange would have surely sealed a deserved victory, one built on power up front and dash behind, especially in the centres where Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti were dynamic.
The Pumas have a decent record in the Harbour City with two wins and a draw from their last three visits, although these matches were all played at Commbank Stadium in the western suburbs, not Allianz Stadium in the east.
I’ll be back with the line-ups shortly. If you want to get in touch this afternoon, the address is jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com.