Wallabies winger Max Jorgensen says their record 67-27 loss to Argentina in Santa Fe a year ago, sparked the team’s turnaround.
That heavy loss sparked wild calls for the Lions tour to be shifted to South Africa.
“It’s hard to say it helped,” Jorgensen reflected this week. “No one really likes losing games by that much, especially when we’re up by 15. But it was definitely a turning point. We knew we had to really dig deep and turn things around so that wouldn’t happen again.”
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Since then, Joe Schmidt’s side has avoided another blowout, toppled long-standing hoodoos at Twickenham and Ellis Park, and even claimed a famous win against the British & Irish Lions. Yet the scars of Santa Fe linger, and the Wallabies have been re-watching the game in the build-up to Saturday’s rematch in Townsville.
Jorgensen, who turned 21 this week, says the improvement comes down to connection and consistency.
“We’re building that connection, which is massive. A couple of years ago it was one good game, one bad game. Now, even in South Africa, we put together two strong performances. There’s still work-ons, but as a squad and a group, we’ve developed so much.”
Schmidt is expected to stick largely with the winning core despite injury disruptions. Tom Wright (ACL) and Will Skelton (returning to France) are unavailable, but captain Harry Wilson is set to return, while Allan Alaalatoa, Pete Samu and Tom Lynagh are also back in contention. Nic White and Joe Suaalii have cleared concussion protocols.
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Jorgensen is ready to shift to fullback if required, though Andrew Kellaway, Harry Potter and Suaalii are also options.
“I’ve played fair share of fullback at the Tahs, but there are plenty of boys who can play there. Ultimately, it’s up to Joe,” he said.
The Pumas, buoyed by their historic home win over the All Blacks, will test Australia’s defence in the air after dominating that facet in Buenos Aires.
Jorgensen, though, is confident the Wallabies are prepared after the aerial onslaught they endured in South Africa.
“We’ve been pretty good in the air against South Africa. We know Argentina are a threat, but if we stick to what we’re doing, it’ll work out for us.”
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
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