Beefed-up Wallabies ready for Pumas pounding

Embattled Australia coach Robbie Deans has beefed up his team in anticipation of a pounding from Argentina Saturday in the final fixture of the 2012 Rugby Championship. The New Zealand-born handler made five changes to the team crushed 31-8 by South Africa last weekend -- a third defeat in five southern hemisphere championship outings for the injury-stricken Wallabies.

Mike Harris replaces Berrick Barnes at full-back, Ben Tapuai comes in for Adam Ashley-Cooper at outside centre and Nick Cummins wins a first cap on the right wing with Dominic Shipperley relegated to the reserves.

James Slipper, who did not help the floundering Australian cause in South Africa by being sin binned after coming on as a replacement, starts ahead of Benn Robinson at loosehead prop for a team lying third on the table. Sitaleki Timani, whose previous six Test appearances have been as a lock, has been drafted into the back row on the blindside with Dave Dennis dropping to a bench comprising five forwards and just two backs.

Although last-place Argentina were swamped 54-15 by champions New Zealand in La Plata last weekend, Deans is under no illusions about the threat posed by the South Americans as they seek a first Championship victory.

“We know the Pumas will come straight at us, hoping to profit at the collisions the same way the Springboks did last weekend,” said the man who developed Canterbury Crusaders into the most potent Super Rugby force.

AFP