Argentina confirm side for Wallabies Test as Cheika welcomes Jones rematch

Argentina confirm side for Wallabies Test as Cheika welcomes Jones rematch

Michael Cheika knows one swallow doesn't make a summer as he tries to plot another rare coaching win over long-time friend and foe Eddie Jones.

In a twist few could have imagined only a few months ago, the former Randwick teammates will renew their rivalry in Sydney on Saturday when Cheika's Argentina side face Jones' Wallabies in the Rugby Championship.

 

 

Both sides are searching for their first victory of 2023 after copping hidings from New Zealand and South Africa respectively last weekend.


But, as ever, the narrative before the Commbank Stadium clash, is as much about the coaching duel between two of the best in the business who both readily admit hating to lose.

Much to his displeasure, Cheika lost seven times to Jones' England team before finally masterminding a Pumas victory over them at Twickenham last year, before Jones was sacked and then appointed to replace Dave Rennie as Wallabies coach in January.


Cheika on Thursday, though, was careful not to claim bragging rights or poke the bear who has previously revelled in getting under his fiery counterpart's skin with well-timed barbs.

"I wouldn't say on the overall ledger that that's the case. I'm still hungry for a few more, don't worry," he said after making four changes to his Pumas team that started in Sunday's 41-12 loss to the All Blacks in Mendoza.

"Eddie's a quality coach and I think that's why Australia wanted to have him back because he can add a lot to the team here, and I'm sure he will.

"They're just in construction like where we're starting our season too so he's a high quality coach and you always want to go up against high quality coaches just to test yourself."

Cheika has handed Sevens star Rodrigo Isgro his Pumas debut, starting on the wing.

Isgro was a part of the team that took bronze at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, joining fellow Olympian Lucio Cinti in the backline.

Prop Francisco Gómez Kodela also comes into the starting side after last week's defeat, with captain Julian Montoya remaining at hooker.

Cheika doesn't agree with the theory that he's under less pressure now coaching the Pumas than when he was while in charge of Australia.

"Pressure, there's two types," he said.

"There's the pressure that's applied from the outside and then there's the pressure that you apply on yourself, and I've always applied maximum pressure on myself because that's what I want to do.

"I want to test myself in the most difficult situations and see how I can help myself and the team come out on top. I want to be in that environment. I'm not worried about that environment.

"And that hardens you so that when you come to the external pressure, you've asked yourself all the questions that anyone wants to ask you anyway, if you're being genuine with yourself.

"It's more about ego. I want to win with Argentina as much as I've wanted to win with any other team I've coached."

Argentina: Emiliano Boffelli; Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Jeronimo De La Fuente; Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou; Juan Martin Gonzalez, Santiago Grondona, Pablo Matera; Tomas Lavanini, Matias Alemanno; Francisco Gomez Kodela, Julian Montoya (capt), Thomas Gallo

Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Hahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Eduardo Bello, Lucas Paulos, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Nicolas Sanchez, Matias Moroni

 

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