The statistics explain the Wallabies’ commanding start.

Australia have made just four visits to Argentina’s 22 but have scored 18 points, while Los Pumas have entered five times for only seven.

The Wallabies are also winning the breakdown battle, with 38 rucks won to Argentina’s 27. Interestingly, Argentina have been quicker when they retain possession: 78% of their rucks have been completed within three seconds, compared with 62% for Australia.

40+1 min: Another penalty, this one for straying offside at the line, will give Lonergan a shot at goal. It’s pretty much in front about 30-ish metres out.

39 min: Australia will have a final shot before the half time whistle as Isgro gives away a really soft penalty as he attempts to play the ball while on his backside on halfway. Gordon doesn’t have much room to work with as he kicks to touch in the left tram, but he kicks it out so the Aussies will work off the line-out.

36 min: Australia give away a free kick at the scrum so Moro taps and goes. He comes close. So does Lavanini. They have the penalty advantage. Cruz tries to pick and go himself but knocks on, perhaps sensing that Alaalatoa was lining up a big hit on him. The hit comes – late and off the ball if you ask me – but it’ll just be the penalty. Argentina choose to scrum bang in front of the sticks.

34 min: Argentina will have a five-metre scrum after outstanding work from Carreras off the line-out. At first receiver, he steps up and then dinks a kick over the rush defence. It bounces on and he chases. Lonergan mops up just before the try line but Carreras and a few pals tackle him over into the goal area. Great platform now for the Pumas to strike, right in front of the poles, they can go left or right here.

32 min: This time Gordon finds touch with a great clearing kick from inside his own 22. Efficient exit play there. But Argentina get a penalty advantage off the resulting line-out just inside halfway. Someone in gold jumped across at the set piece. That’s a bit of a coach killer, that. So Carreras will boot this back towards the Australian 22.

31 min: Argentina go short at the line-out again. Isgro and Cruz play a little one-two around the fringe of the ruck which almost breaks the Australian line, but the defence scrambles back and forces a knock-on on the Wallabies 22. Good defence from the visitors so far. They’re hanging tough off the ball.

29 min: After Gordon’s kick failed to find touch, Prisciantelli caught his own up and under. Keeping the ball alive, Carreras goes to the line himself but they run out of road down the right. Australia get the the line-out throw and just about get away with it after things got messy for Lonergan at the back. They keep their cool and manage to get their relieving kick away.

27 min: Wenger loses his rag as he gets into an off the ball tussle with Canham. That is out of frsutration as his team failed to convert another red zone entry from the line-out. Australia’s defence holds firm before Valetini wins a turnover on his own line then hacks a clearing kick away. Argentina have it back but run out of room down the left tram. That’s when Wenger shoved Canham with both players in touch, giving away a penalty which Gordon hoofs down town. He doesn’t find touch though so here come the Pumas again.

22 min: Argentina need a response and they have the ball back inside Australia’s 22 after the restart. They work the blind down the left. Cruz then hits Matera who carries within a few. They go right then left down the short side and come close again. Are they over? No! Held up. How can anyone tell through the morass of bodies. Lavanini argues his case, believing the ball was down. Nope says the ref. Still Argentina have the penalty advantage and Carreras kicks to the corner.

19 min: Another penalty from Argentina as Australia maul. Ben O’Keefe gives Matera a warning that another one will result in a penalty try. Gordon keeps the pressure on by kicking out to touch.

18 min: Canham hauls down the line-out and the maul gets to work. A Puma tries to stop it by entering from the side so Australia have the advantge. Gordon flings it right for Wright who steps in and then out before passing to Jorgensen. He’s wrapped up so they come back infield but the Pumas defence holds so we’ll come back for the pen. Once again Gordon nudgdes it into touch five out from the left corner.

15 min: That really was a brilliant try from Argentina. Is there a more hot-and-cold team in word rugby?

Now they’ve given away a penalty shortly after the restart. Or is that a penalty won by Canham who absolutely clattered Ruiz to allow Hooper an opportunity to steal. Gordon finds good touch in the corner.

10 min: Jorgensen makes a great chase, puts pressure on the Argentina sweeper after a long raking Gordon kick and wins a penalty. He timed his tackle on Mendy perfectly. Brilliant from Jorgensen and now the Wallabies are throwing to the line five out.

5 min: Big statement from the Wallabies pack! Scrum penalty at the first time of asking. Kailea getting the back slaps as Moreno popped up. Gordon’s kick to touch is a good one, over halfway.

4 min: Good ambition from Cruz. Had that gone to hand Argentina might have been away down the left wing. Instead we’ll have our first scrum – Aussie feed – after the knock on.

3 min: More sloppiness from Argentina. They give away a soft free kick at the line-out following the penalty. Australia then exit but the Pumas are back on it as they win the first contestable kick. Now down the blind Cruz snipes but Australia win it back as the off-load doesn’t find a teammate.

2 min: Argentina spill the kick-off and the Wallabies are on the ball. THey keep it for two minutes before McReight finds room down the left tram but then Carreras stoops in to make the steal. There’s a high shot from an Aussie – Paenga-Amosa I think – so the Pumas get an easy exit after holding firm.

After Australia’s anthem it’s Argentina’s retort.

I’ve never seen it played this way before. Traditional instruments, including what I’m guessing is a quena.

Tears from the players and in the crowd. That was cool.

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: