Wallabies outside back Harry Potter is confident the Wallabies have the depth to deal with the 'slick' Pumas.
The Wallabies are set to welcome back versatile winger Potter into the squad among several key returns for the men in gold to face Argentina.
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Joe Schmidt’s team will assemble to prepare for the two-match series on Sunday, and find themselves coming off several strong performances against the Lions and Springboks.
However, it has come at a massive cost, with ten notable players out due to injury - including Noah Lolesio, Dylan Pietsch, Matt Faessler and Tom Wright.
The side will also be without Will Skelton, who will return to club duties for La Rochelle.
The Pumas series comes with a chance for several players to make their way back into the side, with Potter among them after a suffering a hamstring injury.
“[I’m] really stoked to be back in the squad,” Potter said to reporters after the squad announcement on Thursday.
“It was not ideal timing of the exit from the squad during the Lions there, but fortunately the rehab has not been too lengthy. It's all in good time, certainly good to be back.
“[It’s been] awesome watching the games, like waking up at one o'clock in the morning to watch the first Test match there looked to be a bit of an ordeal, but unbelievable finish and certainly worth getting up for.
“[I] missed out being over there, but what an incredible job the boys did, particularly that first performance, [it was] great watching from afar.
“No doubt that's been a shot in the arm getting that first win and I think playing reasonably well in that second game as well, although not getting the result, put a bit of wind in the sails for the upcoming Test match.”
Potter and the other members of the squad will have a lot of work on their hands, with the Pumas putting together a strong performance to defeat the All Blacks for the first time ever at home.
It’s a challenge Potter is excited to try his hand at, being one of Australia’s most successful competitors in the air during the Super Rugby Pacific season.
“From an outside back's perspective they've got some serious threats there on the edges,” Potter said of the Pumas.
“A reasonably slick backline all together and they've also got some real ability to get ball back in the air … they're quick wingers, they get up in the air and win that aerial battle, [they] did a lot of the time against the All Blacks.
“I think that's going to be a large part of the game, at least for myself as an outside back, something that we're going to have to be conscious of in that space.
“It's an area of the game that I really enjoy and want to get better at.
“I think the boys are doing a really good job with that at the moment, I think with the law changes over the last year, I think it has changed that area of the game a lot.
“It is incredibly hard to retain ball when it's kicked to you, because wingers are so good at getting in the air and teams aren't able to shut them out.”
The Wallabies will not only have to sort out their aerial game, but several players in their backline are set for long sideline stints.
The most significant is that of Tom Wright, who has had a stranglehold on the Wallaby fullback position and is likely set for a long recovery on the sidelines.
However, Potter believes the Wallabies will not only be able to bounce back from his loss and have depth to pick from, but has proven versatility across the wider team to remain competitive.
“[It’s] huge boots to fill,” Potter said of his back three teammate. “I think he's been so good, Super Rugby and then for the few games that he's managed to play this year, it's certainly a big loss for us.
“Playing with him is incredible, some of the stuff he's capable of doing on the field is world class, and seeing him siding through a defensive line is very impressive.
“But at the same time, I think that the injuries that we have had over the last few weeks, it's been incredible to watch players and the coaches and how well they have gone [playing] in so many different positions,
“We have had injuries, and I think players, particularly in the outside backs, have performed incredibly well.
“Corey [Toole], for example, after Dylan [Pietsch] hurt himself at Ellis Park, was unbelievable at the weekend.
“I think, no doubt those shoes will be filled. But a massive, massive loss, no doubt for us.”
