Rugby Championship round 5: preview

Argentina v New Zealand
Argentina have made six changes for their clash against  New Zealand in La Plata on Saturday.
After narrowly losing 14-13 to the Wallabies in Perth two weeks ago, head coach Santiago Phelan as called back Saracens-bound Marcelo Bosh in the midfield taking over from veteran Felipe Contepomi.
Bosh is one of four changes in the back line with Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Santiago Fernandez and Martin Landajo replacing Horacio Agulla, Gonzalo Tiesi and Tomas Cubelli at wing, centre and scrum-half.
Up front, the fit-again Patricio Albacete replaces Manuel Carizza while Eusebio Guinazu gets the nod ahead of Agustin Creevy.
Since their introduction to the Rugby Championship last year, the Pumas are chasing their maiden win but, with the narrow loss in Perth and a 22-17 defeat to the Springboks in La Plata in the opening round this year, they will be looking to make history in the next two weeks at home against the All Blacks and the Wallabies.
“We made the changes believing this is the best starting line-up to face the All Blacks,” said Phelan.
“I was in the pleasant situation of having options for each position. The squad is fresh, enthusiastic and ready for the huge challenge ahead.
“The players are adapting to facing the three best rugby nations.”
Meanwhile, Aaron Cruden will lead the New Zealand attack with Dan Carter out of action with a shoulder injury.
Veteran Andrew Hore also returns at hooker as Dane Coles drops to the bench in the only other change to the starting XV.
On the bench, Jeremy Thrush will provide the lock cover with Matt Todd out of the squad.
With only two games left, the All Blacks are the only unbeaten team in the competition and they will be looking to add to their seven wins on the trot.
Head coach Steve Hansen said: “We are very happy with where Dane is at and with his performances of late. But like a lot of the young players, we are also mindful of managing their game time as part of their development, so we have brought in Andrew to start this week.”
“This game has huge significance with regard to us having any chance of winning the Investec Rugby Championship. Playing Argentina at home is never an easy assignment so we have worked hard on, firstly, our recovery on arrival and, secondly, our preparation throughout the week. We know that we will have to be physically on top of our game and strategically smart.
Argentina: Juan Martin Hernandez; Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernandez, Juan Imhoff; Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo; Marcos Ayerza, Eusebio Guinazu, Juan Figallo; Patricio Albacete, Julio Farias Cabello; Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Capt.), Pablo Matera, Juan Manuel Leguizamon.
Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Nahuel Lobo, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Mariano Galarza, Benjamin Macome, Tomas Cubelli, Felipe Contepomi, Horacio Agulla.
New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea; Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Owen Franks; Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock; Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (Capt.).
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Jeremy Thrush, Steven Luatua, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Charles Piutau.
South Africa v Australia
Fourie du Preez will make his first start for South Africa since 2011 after being named at scrum-half to face Australia in the fifth round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday in Pretoria.
He replaces Ulster’s Ruan Pienaar in one of two changes in the starting XV that controversially lost to New Zealand two weeks ago with Adriaan Strauss taking over from Bismark du Plessis at hooker.
Du Plessis was controversially sent off with two yellow cards in Auckland but the IRB later ruled that the first yellow – for a tackle on Dan Carter – was an incorrect decision by referee Romain Poite and the red card has been rescinded so he sits on the bench.
“Bismark and Ruan always knew they would not play against Australia, there is nothing to be read into that,” said Heyneke Meyer.
“I can tell you now that Bismark will be back (on October 5) against New Zealand. Fourie is in a class of his own and it’s like having another coach on the field, he helps to organises the defence and lead attack. That takes the pressure off (captain) Jean de Villers. I believe Fourie will take us to another level.”
Meanwhile, Wallabies head coach Ewen McKenzie has made three changes to his team but there is still no room for superstar Will Genia as Nick White retains the scrum-half jersey.
James Horwill has recovered from a hamstring injury and he returns at lock taking over the captaincy from No.8 Ben Mowen.
In the back line, Tevita Kuridrani starts at outside centre with Adam Ashley-Cooper shifting to the wing to replace the injured Nick Cummins while Joe Tomane steps in for the suspended James O’Connor on the left wing.
Reds startlet Chris Feauai-Sautia could make his Test debut in Pretoria if he comes off the bench.
Mowen said: “Any time you play against a South African side you have to be able to take them on in the kicking battle because that’s a huge part of the way they play.
“Particularly when Morne is at 10 both with the Bulls and South Africa, that’s been a huge part of their game so you’ve got to understand that it’s coming and be able to take it on and challenge them in the same area.”
South Africa: Z Kirchner; W le Roux, JJ Engelbrecht, J de Villiers (Capt.), B Habana; M Steyn, F du Preez; T Mtawarira, A Strauss, J du Plessis; E Etzebeth, F van der Merwe; F Louw, W Alberts, D Vermeulen.
Replacements: B du Plessis, G Steenkamp, C Oosthuizen, J Kruger, S Kolisi, R Pienaar, P Lambie, J Serfontein.
Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane; Quade Cooper, Nic White; James Slipper, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander; Rob Simmons, James Horwill (Capt.); Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Ben Mowen.
Replacements: Saia Faingaa, Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Sitaleki Timani, Ben McCalman, Will Genia, Matt Toomua, Chris Feauai-Sautia.