Wallabies wary of disgraceful Argentinian crowd tactic
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The Wallabies are bracing for an intimidating atmosphere, and the possibility of lasers, in Sunday’s (AEST) Test against Argentina in the small mountain city of San Salvador de Jujuy.
Wallabies playmaker Ben Donaldson recalled the infamous 2014 match in which Bernard Foley repeatedly had a green laser beam directed at his eyes when kicking for goal in a 21-17 loss in Mendoza.
Bernard Foley was targeted by lasers in Mendoza in 2014. nna\sworthington
Kurtley Beale and Mike Harris have also copped the laser treatment in Argentina and fans will be close to the action in the intimate and intense Estadio 23 de Agosto.
Normally a football ground, last year’s game between Gimnasia de Jujuy and Deportivo Madryn was reportedly suspended by the referee because of threats from local officials.
“I was lucky enough to play the under-20s World Cup here in 2019, and that was just a small taste of what it is,” Donaldson, a goal-kicker, told reporters.
“Then in 2024, we played two games here, and the supporters were so passionate. When the Argies sing the national anthem, you can see how much it means to them. You hear stories of lasers, of people throwing stuff on the field and whatnot, but you’ve just got to embrace whatever comes.”
NSW Waratahs recruit Foley - who is hoping to make a Wallabies comeback at next year’s home Rugby World Cup, missed two crucial kicks in that 2014 clash - but did not blame the laser show.
“It’s not great, but I suppose it’s part of it. It’s not what made me miss the kicks so you can’t draw on it too much,” Foley said.
“It’s disappointing that it’s here and in the game, but it wasn’t the reason I missed the kicks.”
The Wallabies are riding a three-game winning streak but enforcer Lukhan Salakaia-Loto acknowledged that Argentina would be a big step up from Italy and Japan.
“I’ve only played over there a couple of times, but they’re very passionate people. People that really love representing their country and will do anything (to win), as you’ve seen, the way that they play in their sports.
“Going over to Argentina, the crowds are pretty ruthless and nothing probably compares to it. I think a tour to Argentina is perfect for us.
“We’re going into some deep waters now and the focus is on how we best prepare this week leading into next week’s game and, you know, trying to take the crowd away from them and use it against them.”
Wallabies coach Les Kiss will name his team on Friday (AEST), with his appetite for experimentation set to continue.
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