Local Wallaby puts the pressure on his troops

NO ONE will remember back-to-back triumphs over the world champions, but everyone will remember a Townsville loss this weekend.

Those were the powerful words of Wallabies lock Darcy Swain ahead of a homecoming he never thought would eventuate.

The Babinda product is preparing to line up for his fifth Australia cap at Queensland Country Bank Stadium to take on Argentina.

Townsville’s historic double header – with the 100th

Test match played between New Zealand and South Africa – presents the chance for rugby union to expand its reach into a region typically dominated by its rival code.

Swain said he never thought he would get to represent his nation in front of a home North Queensland crowd, and that Saturday’s showcase could not be the last Townsville experiences.

“It’s pretty special,” he said. “I don’t think I ever thought I would be back here playing rugby union.

“There is a strong rugby culture, but league and AFL sort of dominate. Growing up it was always rugby league with AFL on the side, so it’s pretty special to play a game.

“Hopefully it’s not the last. Rugby has so much reach out here and there’s such a wide pool of talent. Indigenous players, Pacifica players and just Australians in general.

“There are so many players here the Wallabies can reach, and hopefully this game is just a small stepping stone to making a bigger rugby culture.”

Swain has only just launched his international career, debuting earlier this year against France, but already his eyes are on putting himself in World Cup contention.

The 24-year-old said each step the Wallabies took in bettering themselves was with the ultimate goal of global dominance in mind.

It is why thoughts of last week’s 30-17 win over world champions the Springboks have been cast from his mind.

Argentina is yet to win in this year’s Rugby Championship, but Swain said he and his teammates would be approaching the Pumas no different to their other rivals.

“From a team perspective it means bugger all if we don’t go out there and do it again,” Swain said.

“No one remembers winning two games against South Africa, everyone will remember us losing to Argentina.

“We have to be just as good, if not better, against the passion of Argentina.

“They (Argentina) are a great side. We know they play with a lot of physicality and passion. We’ll give them the same respect we give to South Africa, the same respect we give to New Zealand.

“We have to go out there focusing on our own game knowing there are a lot of threats.”