There are soccer markings on the field that looks a little ragged.
I did say this feels a little off-Broadway.
Still, once the whistle sounds I reckon it’ll be a belter.
It’s 7th (Argentina) v 8th (Australia) according to World Rugby’s rankings.
Dave Rennie, New Zealand’s coach, basically said the rankings are nonsense.
I disagree. Not the first thing Rennie and myself have diverted on this week.
How will altitude impact the players?
San Salvador de Jujuy sits at roughly 1,250 metres above sea level - about 4,130 feet. It is noticeable altitude, especially combined with heat, but nowhere near the extreme conditions of La Paz.
Still, every metre counts.
The tale of the tape:
This will be the 44th Test between Argentina and Australia. The Wallabies lead the head-to-head 30-10, with three matches drawn.
In Argentina, Australia lead 10-6, with one draw.
Australia have won five of the last 10 meetings; Argentina have won three, with two draws.
The most recent meeting ended in a record 67-27 victory for Argentina in Santa Fe in September 2024.
Argentina’s 67 points in that match were the most Australia had ever conceded in a Test.
Jack Snape has been busy.
Here are two pieces from him as we build towards kick-off:
Argentina team
Argentina have named an unchanged starting XV for their first Test against Australia in Jujuy, keeping faith with the side that pushed South Africa close in Buenos Aires earlier this month.
Pablo Matera again captains the Puma and Santiago Carreras – one of my favourite players – retains the No 10 jersey, with Simón Benítez Cruz continuing at scrum-half.
The backline is unchanged, with Gerónimo Prisciantelli at fullback and Rodrigo Isgró and Ignacio Mendy on the wings. Lucio Cinti partners Faustino Sánchez Valarolo in midfield.
Joaquín Moro starts at No 8, with Benjamin Grondona and Matera completing the back row. Tomás Lavanini and Guido Petti continue in the second row, while Francisco Moreno, Ignacio Ruiz and Boris Wenger make up the front row.
There are two changes on the bench. Dragons prop Rodrigo Martínez returns to the Test squad for the first time in five years, while Nicolás Roger provides additional backline cover. Argentina have opted for a five-three split among the replacements.
Julian Montoya, who usually skippers, is one of several senior players not considered due to club commitments. That group also includes Mateo Carreras, Santiago Chocobares, and Marcos Kremer.
Argentina: 15 Gerónimo Prisciantelli; 14 Rodrigo Isgró, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Faustino Sánchez Valarolo, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz; 8 Joaquín Moro, 7 Benjamin Grondona, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Moreno, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 1 Boris Wenger.
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Rodrigo Martínez, 18 Tomás Rapetti, 19 Efraín Elías, 20 Juan Penoucos, 21 Agustín Moyano, 22 Nicolás Roger, 23 Matías Moroni.
Australia team
Australia have completely reshaped their pack with Allan Alaalatoa taking over the captaincy from the rested Harry Wilson.
The Brumbies prop will lead the Wallabies for the seventh time, while Isaac Kailea returns to the starting side for his first Test since 2024. Brandon Paenga-Amosa starts at hooker, with Alaalatoa completing an entirely new front row.
Rob Valetini moves to No 8, with Tom Hooper and Fraser McReight selected on the flanks. Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams reunite in the second row.
There is continuity behind the pack, with Ryan Lonergan and Carter Gordon retained at half-back and Hunter Paisami and Isaac Henry continuing in midfield. Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen remain on the wings, with Tom Wright at fullback.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii returns from injury but starts on the bench, where he offers Australia another powerful option in the backline. Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson also provide experience among the replacements.
Australia: 15 Tom Wright; 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Harry Potter; 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Lonergan; 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Isaac Kailea.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Charlie Cale, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Preamble
Ever been sat at the kid’s table at a wedding?
This isn’t quite that, but there is a sense that this is off-Broadway as the Springboks and All Blacks busy themselves in their own personal tussle.
With the Rugby Championship on ice for the self-aggrandising Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, this is a chance for Argentina and Australia to prove they don’t belong on the scrapheap.
Does that put pressure on the sides, or take it off? We’ll find out as a developing Puma side with a propensity to self destruct takes on Les Kiss’s Aussies.
Whatever transpires I hope it’s a good spectacle. Not often a game of footy carries importance beyond the boundary but this is one of them. A message needs to be sent that will be heard in Cape Town and Auckland.
Will it land? We’ll find out when things kick off at 4pm local time/5am AEST.
Teams and updates to come.
