Recalled Foley ready to spark Test attack
Recalled and refreshed, Bernard Foley is hopeful he can help unlock the shackles on the Wallabies' attack and rediscover their try-scoring touch in Argentina.
Back in the starting side after three matches on the bench, Foley says the squad have worked hard on their finishing this week after a 2018 campaign marked by a maddening inability to cross the stripe.
With only 10 tries in five Rugby Championship matches so far, it's a trend that needs to be arrested if they are to be any hope of avoiding the wooden spoon in their clash with Argentina on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
Australia has never played in Salta before, but Tests at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena are traditionally high-scoring and the added altitude factor means there will be plenty of opportunities if they're good enough to take them.
"We've given ourselves a lot of opportunities. We probably just don't have that killer instinct at the moment," said Foley, who returns to five-eighth to renew his playmaking partnership with Kurtley Beale.
"We've got some amazing finishers. We've got to give them opportunities to try and score those tries early on, when we initially make the break.
"When we can convert straight away, the whole team has a different feeling ... a bit more energy and an ability to attack further."
Foley admitted his demotion - while Beale was tried at five eighth - was tough to take at first but said he had taken the opportunity to review his own game, improve his training application and believes he will be better for the experience.
Matt Toomua has been squeezed out of the run-on side at his expense, but coach Michael Cheika suggested he would get a crack at the No.10 jersey in the near future.
But with Toomua ineligible for the third Bledisloe Cup Test in Japan due to club commitments, Foley will get at least two matches to reassert himself in the position.
"It's been a challenging time," Foley said of Australia's recent struggles.
"(But) I'm excited for what these guys can do. There's so many great players in this team, so much potential.
"We've just got to crack it and then hopefully the floodgates open."
The midfield tweaks are the only changes made to the XV that was defeated 23-12 by South Africa in Port Elizabeth last weekend, a result that reduced Australia's record this year to just two wins from 10 games.
There are a couple of new faces on a nine-man bench, including speedy utility back Tom Banks, back-rower Caleb Timu and hooker Tolu Latu.
Cheika will finalise his reserves contingent on Saturday (AEST) and is expected to cut either Rob Simmons or Rory Arnold.
ARGENTINA VS AUSTRALIA - RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta
Kick-off: 9.45am (AEST) Sunday, October 6
Head to head: Played 30, Australia 23, Argentina 6, drawn 1
In Argentina: Played 12, Australia 7, Argentina 4, drawn 1
Last meeting: Argentina 23 bt Australia 19, Gold Coast, September 2018
LOS PUMAS: Emiliano Boffelli, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo De la Fuente, Ramiro Moyano, Nicolas Sanchez, Gonzalo Bertranou, Javier Ortega Desio, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Ramiro Herrera, Agustin Creevy, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro. Reserves: Julian Montoya, Santiago Garcia Botta, Santiago Medrano, Matias Alemanno, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Cubelli, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Sebastian Cancelliere.
WALLABIES: Dane Haylett-Petty, Israel Folau, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper (capt), Ned Hanigan, Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Folau Faingaa, Scott Sio. Reserves: Tolu Latu, Sekope Kepu, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Rory Arnold, Caleb Timu, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Tom Banks (one to be omitted).
