Schmidt demands 'start-to finish' Wallabies performance against Pumas
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said Thursday only a "start-to-finish" performance will be good enough to beat a wounded Argentina this weekend and his team should be nervous at what was coming.
The Pumas, captained by Julian Montoya for a 50th time, are smarting from an agonising 28-24 defeat at the death last week in Townsville.
They were leading 21-7 at half-time, but lost focus as the Wallabies came roaring back to clinch victory with an 86th-minute try.
"I'd like to think that (my players) are feeling a little bit nervous, because that edge is something we're going to need again," said Schmidt ahead of the clash in Sydney on Saturday.
"The very fine margins that fell our way, and we pushed them our way, we'll have to try to make sure that that's delivered from start to finish and that's always a challenge for any team.
"On the back of those four tries last week, we've got to try to make sure that we galvanise any of those opportunities to exert that pressure and then finish it off," he added.
Playmaker Tane Edmed will make his starting debut, thrust into the cauldron ahead of veteran fly-half James O'Connor as the replacement for Tom Lynagh, who has a hamstring injury.
O'Connor was instrumental in helping rally the side when he came on last week, and will again be on the bench before departing to his new English club Leicester.
- Injuries 'a challenge' -
Edmed is one of two changes in the backs. Centre Hunter Paisami will play his first Test of the year, in for Len Ikitau who has a knee gash, and will partner last week's two-try hero Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
James Slipper returns for his 149th Test after missing the past two with concussion, combining with hooker Billy Pollard and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou in the front row.
Jeremy Williams is recalled to starting second row alongside Tom Hooper, with Nick Frost rested, while Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and skipper Harry Wilson continue in an unchanged back row.
Nic White is again at scrum-half, Andrew Kellaway at fullback with Max Jorgensen and Corey Toole on the wings.
"While managing injuries is always a challenge, we're excited to have some fresh bodies who have been training hard with the group for a number of weeks and are keen to contribute," added Schmidt.
Australia are looking to win their first Rugby Championship since 2015.
They currently sit one point behind New Zealand with three games remaining, two of them are against the All Blacks which makes victory on Saturday all the more important.
Argentina need a win to keep their title hopes alive and made three changes with Joaquin Oviedo elevated to the starting pack at the expense of flanker Pablo Matera while lock Guido Petti replaces Franco Molina.
Rodrigo Isgro rounds out the starting changes, in for Townsville try-scoring winger Bautista Delguy.
Australia (15-1): Andrew Kellaway; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Hunter Paisami, Corey Toole; Tane Edmed, Nic White; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini; Tom Hooper, Jeremy Williams; Taniela Tupou, Billy Pollard, James Slipper
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Filipo Daugunu
Argentina (15-1): Juan Cruz Mallia; Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras; Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Garcia; Joaquin Oviedo, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez; Pedro Rubiolo, Guido Petti; Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (capt), Mayco Vivas
Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Boris Wenger, Franciso Coria Marchetti, Franco Molina, Pablo Matera, Agustin Moyano, Justo Piccardo, Ignacio Mendy
T.Burns--EWJ
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