Genia returns for Wallabies

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Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia's running game is set to be used in Saturday's Test against Argentina in Rosario.

Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia's running game is set to be used in Saturday's Test against Argentina in Rosario.

Genia's promotion to the run-on side, at the expense of Nic White, is the only change to Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie's starting line-up after last weekend's 28-8 defeat against the Springboks in Cape Town.

McKenzie knows how dangerous and on-song Genia can be and has taken notice of New Zealand's victory over Argentina last weekend. The Pumas dominated the set-piece against the world champions but still conceded four tries.

In the only other change to the matchday squad, McKenzie also promotes uncapped Waratahs fly-half Bernard Foley to the bench at the expense of Chris Feauai-Sautia, who scored at try on debut for the Wallabies in last weekend's loss to the Boks.

Wallabies full-back Israel Folau is delighted to have Genia back in the run-on side as he felt more comfortable with a running game and was determined to get more involved.

“Some of the moves that we wanted to play last week were specifically set up for that but every time we set it up we'd get the ball turned over,” said Folau.

“It's frustrating because there's opportunities there, we've just got to take them.”

Wallabies prop Ben Alexander highlighted the importance of a stable scrum against los Pumas who got the better of the All Blacks at the set piece in La Plata last weekend.

“They don't care if they lose the game as long as they have won at scrum time,” he revealed.

“It is a badge of honour for them. Alexander said.

“It is a pride thing for us too. We are not happy with the way our scrum has been going. We took some steps in the right direction at the weekend, but for us it is about consistency, and about putting the performance out instead of talking about it, or saying we'll do it at training.”

Australia beat Argentina in a close-fought encounter in Rosario last year. Alexander counts the 25-19 victory as one of the best in his career.

“No-one gave us a chance,” he said.

“We had played very poorly the week before in Pretoria, similar circumstances to this.

“There was a lot of pressure on Robbie (Deans), on all of us. For the lot of us, other than [then-captain Nathan Sharpe], it was our first time playing in a Test match here.

“We played reasonably well. We only scored one try but it was a tough gritty win. They're the ones you remember, when people don't give you a chance. You really fight it out away from home, get the win and it was very enjoyable.”

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Sitaleki Timani, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Nic White, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Bernard Foley.

Date: Saturday, October 5
Kick-off: 19:40 (23:40 BST, 22:40 GMT)
Venue: Gigante de Arroyito Stadium, Rosario