Wallabies gear up for Pumas challenge
sydney — A year after leaving Twickenham with heads held high following their surprise run to the World Cup final, a more humble Wallabies side will return to the storied venue for their final Rugby Championship match against Argentina on Saturday.
Michael Cheika’s team have a far different complexion to the swashbuckling band that swept aside all in their path at last year’s global showpiece before they ran into the familiar brick wall of the All Blacks in the decider.
Australia left the tournament with high hopes of challenging the All Blacks’ superiority the following season and continuing rugby’s revival at home after a tumultuous period on and off the field.
The Pretoria disappointment showed the Wallabies remain vulnerable as they continue their rebuild but another win over the Pumas on Saturday
In my experience, you go through great times and you can go through tougher times
Michael Cheika
would back Cheika’s claim that better times lie ahead.
“I think they have been good,” the 49-year-old told local media in London when asked about the roller-coaster 12 months. “I can’t complain at all. I know everyone sees things always — and I understand totally — from a results point of view but part of this year for us was going to be about change. We knew we had to bring in new players with a view to the future.
“In my experience in this game, you go through great times and then you can go through tougher times and they’ll always lead to giving you the scars on the inside to have better times later on.”—