The final match of the 2016 Rugby Championship will be a historic first as Argentina will host Australia at Twickenham in London England.
Argentina chose to host the match in London after seeing how audiences flocked to the venue in the Rugby World Cup and they are hoping that this special event will be a money spinner.
The rematch of last year’s Rugby World Cup final at the same venue could bring in some much needed money for the Pumas but it has cost them home advantage.
Argentina set a target of improving on last year’s Rugby Championship campaign by winning two matches instead of one. They beat South Africa (as they did in 2015) and only have this match remaining to earn that second victory.
Should they beat Australia with a bonus point and prevent the Wallabies from earning a bonus point they will overtake the Australian side and finish in third place. A win without a bonus point will almost certainly see them finish in last place.
Australia could overtake South Africa with a victory and finish in second place if they beat Argentina in this match. South Africa host New Zealand and the All Blacks are hot favourites to win that match.
For this match Argentina have made four changes and could make another two as Nicolas Sanchez and Manuel Montero both face fitness tests before the match.
Leonardo Senatore comes into the starting line up replacing Facundo Isa who is injured while Lucas Noguera comes into the starting side replacing Nahuel Tetaz in the front row.
In the backs Matias Moroni moves from centre to the wing replacing Santiago Cordero and although Manuel Montero faces a fitness test he has been named to start on the wing in place of Ramiro Moyano who is benched.
Australia’s head coach Michael Cheika has made two changes for this week and Rebels back rower Lopeti Timani gets his first Test start. The only other change to the starting team is the return of Brumbies lock Rory Arnold who comes in to replace Rob Simmons and partners Adam Coleman in the second row.
The combination of Arnold with Coleman is the tallest second row combination in Wallabies history, with Coleman 2.05m and Arnold even taller at 2.08m.
Cheika has also named Leroy Houston on the replacements bench and if he comes on he will make his Test debut.
This Match will be shown on TV in NZ (Sky), Aus (Fox Sports), SA (SuperSport) and in the UK on Sky Sports 3/HD.
Average score: Argentina 16 Australia 27
Last five results
Sat, 17 Sep 2016 ARG v AUS 20-36 Perth
Sun, 25 Oct 2015 Semi ARG v AUS 15-29 Twickenham, London
Sat, 25 Jul 2015 ARG v AUS 9-34 Mendoza
Sat, 04 Oct 2014 ARG v AUS 21-17 Mendoza
Sat, 13 Sep 2014 ARG v AUS 25-32 Skilled Park, Gold Coast
Argentina’s overall record against Australia
Played 26, Wins 5 , Losses 20, Draws 1
Match No.12:Argentina v Australia
Date : 8 Oct 2016
Venue : Twickenham London
Kick Off local: 19.30
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Ref 1:JP Doyle (England)
Assistant Ref 2:Matthew Carley (England)
TMO : Rowan Kitt (England)
Teams
Australia
1. Scott Sio ,2. Stephen Moore (c) ,3. Sekope Kepu,4. Rory Arnold,5. Adam Coleman ,6. Dean Mumm,7. Michael Hooper ,8. Lopeti Timani ,9. Will Genia,10. Quade Cooper ,11. Reece Hodge ,12. Bernard Foley,13. Samu Kerevi ,14. Dane Haylett-Petty ,15. Israel Folau ,
Replacements : (one to be omitted)James Hanson ,Tom Robertson ,Allan Alaalatoa ,Kane Douglas,Scott Fardy ,Leroy Houston*Nick Phipps,Tevita Kuridrani ,Sefa Naivalu ,
*denotes uncapped player
Argentina
1. Lucas Noguera , 2. Agustín Creevy (c) , 3. Ramiro Herrera , 4. Guido Petti , 5. Matías Alemanno , 6. Pablo Matera , 7. Javier Ortega Desio , 8. Leonardo Senatore , 9. Martín Landajo , 10. Nicolás Sánchez * , 11. Manuel Montero * , 12. Santiago González Iglesias , 13. Matías Orlando , 14. Matías Moroni , 15. Joaquín Tuculet
Replacements : 16. Julian Montoya , 17. Santiago García Botta , 18. Enrique Pieretto , 19. Marcos Kremer , 20. Tomás Cubelli , 21. Juan Manuel Leguizamon , 22. Jerónimo De la Fuente / Gabriel Ascarate , 23. Ramiro Moyano / Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino
* Subject to a late fitness test