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The sun is shining and Wallabies fans are filing into Allianz Stadium with thousands of gold Wallabies jerseys. The optimism after last weekend’s win is palpable. On the Dennis Denuto vibes scale, the mood is high.
Which just makes seasoned Wallabies fans all the more nervous.
The Pumas have a recent habit of bringing the Wallabies down to earth with a massive thud - and that includes on Schmidt’s watch.
Wallabies fan file into Allianz Stadium. Credit: Getty Images
In 2022, the Wallabies beat the Pumas in Mendoza but were then thumped by a record 48-17 a week later in San Juan.
In 2023, the Argentinians beat Australia at home on the bell and then last year, the 2022 tune got another spin: after a tight win by the Wallabies in La Plata the Pumas then came from behind to smash Australia by 67-27. It was the most points ever conceded by an Australian side.
Many players were sick that day, and it wasn’t used as an excuse.
But it still served to show how a fired-up Pumas side can cause enormous damage when they’re motivated, and after losing in extra time last week, the passion levels won’t be low.
The Joe Schmidt Wallabies appear, mostly, to have shaken off the old habit of being a yo-yo side, with wildly unpredictable swings between good and bad.
But after making some changes this week, the ingredients are there for a testing afternoon for Australia.
A general view of the Wallabies change room. Credit: Getty Images
