The Wallabies will attempt to make it two-in-a-row when they host Argentina in Week 4 of the Rugby Championship on Saturday night.
A couple of disappointing losses to the All Blacks were left behind when Australia muscled out a 23-13 win over South Africa last weekend, but they do remain fourth in overall standings on points difference.
Los Pumas have also posted one win over South Africa in 2018 and enter this match off the back of a spirited, but tough 46-24 loss to the All Blacks in New Zealand.
The Wallabies are clearly at their best on home soil and remain $1.25 favourites to defeat Argentina ($4) on the Gold Coast.
Australia
The renewed confidence in the Wallabies camp and support base prior to this year’s Rugby Championship and more directly, the Bledisloe Cup fixtures were immediately thrown in arears when they were all but steamrolled by the All Blacks.
New Zealand really are a class above every other nation in world rugby and the annual Rugby Championship is almost becoming a bit of a battle for second. With that in mind, the Wallabies did their campaign no harm whatsoever with their gritty win in Brisbane and are primed for another tough performance and victory on the Gold Coast, that could ultimately lift them into second position.
The Springboks looked the far better side in the first half, but two Matt Toomua penalties after the break gave Australia enough of a buffer to hold on and defend. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Australia’s win was that they did it without a number of key personnel, including David Pocock and Israel Folau.
Argentina
Argentina have steadily improved through the 2018 Rugby Championship and loom as a legitimately tough prospect for the Wallabies on Saturday.
A tight loss to the Springboks in South Africa was reversed when they took all the points in Mendoza, before arguably their best-ever showing against the All Blacks in Nelson that heralded three tries and some truly spectacular rugby.
Flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez was again the standout for his nation against the All Blacks and a similar performance from the front would go a long way towards Argentina recording another famous win over the Wallabies.
Rugby Championship Betting
Australia remain clear favourites in head-to-head betting, but Argentina really do look over the odds at their current price ($4) and are worth consideration.
The line is currently set at 9.5 points and even if they do not prove good enough to win, the Pumas certainly have the size and skill to finish within that margin.
