Sio wary of multi-faceted Pumas

Mon, Oct 3, 2016, 8:42 AM
AAP
by AAP
Another bad blow for the Wallabies with backrower Sean McMahon ruled out of the Argentina clash with an ankle injury.

Australia is braced for another tough set-piece examination against Argentina in London but loosehead Scott Sio knows that's not all they'll need to watch out for.

Traditionally reliant on forward domination, these days Los Pumas have a few more tricks up their sleeve and the Wallabies will be on high alert in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash at Twickenham (Sunday morning AEST).

"It's what they've built their game around but the one thing I've loved to see is the little interplay they've had between their backs and their forwards - the skills they've brought with their offload game," Sio told reporters.

"They've always traditionally been a good set piece and kicking team but you can really see they're trying to evolve their game which is a great challenge for us."

Argentina should test Australia's defence in ways South Africa never did during the 18-10 defeat at Loftus Versfeld on the weekend.

The silver lining from the result was that the Springboks didn't come close to scoring a try, kicking their way to victory to stem the bleeding and ease the pressure on coach Alister Coetzee after three straight losses.

While Los Pumas are guilty of overdoing it at times when it comes to their offloading, a level of attacking exuberance is something the Wallabies are trying to add to their game as well.

Sio's debut Test try in Pretoria was a good example - quick hands from a number of players set up the opportunity and fellow prop Scott Sio provided the final pass.

"We've been practising that all week," he said.

"(Skills coach) Mick Byrne's been taking us aside after training and working on those skill sets and it's great to see it pay off.

"I don't get to score many tries untouched so I'll definitely savour that."

Sio said he was "bitterly disappointed" to have missed the chance to face Argentina in last year's World Cup semi-final at Twickenham, sitting out the clash with an elbow injury.

"I never played there before that World Cup so to play four games was pretty special and to play against a world class team like Argentina there would be great," he said.

"We had a great battle in Perth and it would be nice to go out there and really continue that at Twickenham."

The Wallabies arrived in London early this morning ahead of The Rugby Championship finale and Rugby World Cup semi-final replay against Argentina at Twickenham. Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.co.uk
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