Live updates: Wallabies vs Argentina, The Rugby Championship in Sydney
Time for the anthemsSBy Simon SmaleThe Himno Nacional Argentino is being roared out by those in blue and white - and we've not even got past the instrumental party yet...There is a buzz from these supporters that is hard to replicate and what makes Argentina such a hard place to play.But this is Sydney so the Aussies in the crowd will need to be at their best to drown out the supporters, as urged by the stadium announcer to use their "full voices" in singing Advance Australia Fair.And they delivered.It's all set up for a cracker.Welcome one and allSBy Simon SmaleArvo Simon. Good to have you back a blogging. What a weekend for both rugby codes ! Deliver us a Wallabies' victory Simon and we'll all owe you a beer. Your glass is on the chill ....- Old timerTwo Wallabies, and Reds, fans following this from Vzncouver, Canada. Looking forward to your coverage.- David H.Hey Simon 😃👋 You went missing ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜- NattyAtmosphere in Sydnery is amazingSBy Simon SmaleThe Los Pumas fans are going absolutely ballistic in the crowd.They are chanting away from the southern end of the stadium, waving their flags and roaring their support, chanting incessantly.It's brilliant.Time for the Welcome to CountrySBy Simon SmaleUncle Lloyd Walker, former Wallaby number 671, is conducting the Welcome to Country.Walker, who played for Randwick, made eight appearances for the Wallabies at 10 or 12 in 1988 and 1989.Tane EdmedSBy Simon SmaleI am intrigued to see how Tane Edmed goes today in the 10 jersey.The former Waratah, heading to the Brumbies next season, has seemingly been on the cusp for a little while.I am a huge admirer of how Tom Lynagh orchestrates the Reds and feel that he deserves a bit of time in the Wallabies jersey (preferable with Tate McDermott inside him at scrum half more often than not) but Edmed has a real chance today to put pressure on the young Queenslander.He's the fourth fly half the Wallabies have used this year.Having James O'Connor on the bench is a pretty good safety net as well.Key statsSBy Simon SmaleThe Wallabies have not won multiple matches against Argentina in a calendar year since 2021.The Wallabies have won two of their last three against Argentina.A good first half is important - Argentina have not recovered from a half time deficit against the Wallabies since 2014. However, Los Pumas have not trailed at half time in any of their last six matches against Australia, but have gone on to lose three times.Australia have won three of their last four Tests in Sydney. Prior to that run, the record was not so good, with just one win in their last 12.Argentina have lost five of their last six Tests away from home, including their last three in a row.Sunny Sydney ready to turn it onSBy Simon SmalePoint takenSBy Simon SmaleHello Simon, I'd like to see the Wallabies lead from early on in this one - last week was a bit nerve wracking- MikeI don't think you'd be alone in thinking that, Mike.However, if you could always win a Test match after the siren, you would, right?Wallabies could go top with a winSBy Simon SmaleThe Rugby Championship table is tight as a button at the moment, with teams taking points off each other left, right and centre.In fact, if the Wallabies win today and the All Blacks lose to a no-doubt stinging Springboks team later on, then they will head into the final set of fixtures on top of the ladder.That would give the Wallabies some serious confidence heading into the Bledisloe fixtures...Would be a good birthday present...SBy Simon SmaleJoe Schmidt deserves the keys to the country after the Jones era- RodHappy Birthday Joe SchmidtSBy Simon SmaleSorry, we're a day late to this, but Happy Birthday to Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt!The New Zealander turned 60 years old yesterday and spent the day preparing for this match.At least his team had a little sing for him.Suaalii the superstarSBy Simon SmaleHey, in news you probably already knew, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is good, isn't he?He's been involved in five tries in his first five Tests for the Wallabies, scoring three and assisting one.He scored twice last week too.He has three tries so far in the Rugby Championship, making him the joint-leading try scorer in the competition alongside Samisoni Taukei-aho of New Zealand.Joe Schmidt couldn't get two extra tickets at sold out SydneySBy Simon SmaleNeed any more evidence that there is a curious outbreak of Wallabies fever at the moment in Australia?Not even the head coach of the national team could get an extra ticket for today's sold out match at the Sydney Football Stadium."The support is superb ... I couldn't actually get two extra tickets for myself," Joe Schmidt just told Stan Sport.He says that the support has been incredible off the back of the exceptional results that have been coming the Wallabies' way over the last 12 months.But when asked about how pleasing results like last weeks' win are to the side, Schmidt looked forward straight away."They are fantastic memories, but that's exactly what they are," he says."We need to keep building a way forward and earning a way forward."The players want to continue making that effort."What happened last week?SBy Simon SmaleHey, last week was good, wasn't it?The Wallabies trailed for almost the entire match before Angus Bell (of all people) crashed over the line six minutes after the siren to claim a thrilling victory.You can relive all the drama from that match, right here.Los Pumas make changes for rematchSBy Simon SmaleArgentina skipper Julián Montoya will lead Los Pumas for the 50th time when he takes to the field in Sydney.Backrower JoaquÃn Oviedo comes in as one of three changes to the side that lost last week in Townsville despite leading right up until stoppage time.Guido Petti also comes into the pack at lock, while Rodrigo Isgro of Sevens fame comes in on the right wing."We need to be better," Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi said during the week."But the squad is in good spirit and we had a very good week's training."Wallabies teamSBy Simon SmaleThere are four changes to the Wallabies team from last weekend.The biggest change is at flyhalf, where Tane Edmed comes in at 10 in place of the injured Tom Lynagh.Lynagh has suffered a hamstring injury despite undergoing an HIA after coming off the field in Townsville.Lynagh's Reds teammate Hunter Paisami will start however in the number 12 jersey, with Len Ikitau suffering a laceration on his knee.In the pack, James Slipper and Jeremy Williams come into the starting XV, while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will come off the bench in what is his first appearance for the Wallabies this year.You can read more here.What time is kick off?SBy Simon SmaleWhat time do you all need to start paying attention from?We'll, here is the official kick off time across the states and territories of Australia.Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, ACT: 2pm AESTSouth Australia and Northern Territory: 1:30pm ACSTWestern Australia: 12pm AWSTIf you're reading this from across the ditch, kick off is 4pm in New Zealand.If you're reading from Argentina, buenos dÃas y bienvenido! It's 1am there, you poor things, so go get yourself a coffee.
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