Wallabies star wary of ‘slick’ Argentina despite ‘shot in the arm’ Springboks victory
Wallabies winger Harry Potter scoring a try against Fiji in 2025
Wallabies winger Harry Potter believes his side have the wind in their sails heading into their Rugby Championship clash against Argentina, but is nevertheless wary of the threat posed by Los Pumas.
Joe Schmidt’s team are in pretty good touch heading into round three, with two wins from their past four Tests against the British and Irish Lions and Springboks respectively, and that could easily have been four wins from four as well if not for late heroics from Hugo Keenan and Eben Etzebeth.
‘They have got some serious threats there’
This run of good performances has flipped the narrative surrounding the Wallabies, which Potter feels has given them a big boost of confidence heading into next Saturday’s clash on Townsville.
“No doubt that’s been a shot in the arm getting that first win (in South Africa) and 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.”
A win over Argentina, though, is by no means guaranteed. Felipe Contepomi’s side recorded a historic success over the Lions back in June and they backed that up with their first home win over the All Blacks last weekend with a 29-23 victory.
These recent results have put the rest of the Rugby Championship on high alert, and Potter is fully aware of the threat facing his side next Saturday. “From an outside back’s perspective, they have got some serious threats there on the edges,” Potter said.
“A slick backline altogether and they have also got some real ability to get ball back in the air… they are quick wingers, they get up in the air and win that aerial battle, [they] did a lot of the time against the All Blacks.
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“That is 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, but the boys are doing a really good job with that at the moment.
“With the law changes over the last year, it has changed that area of the game a lot. It’s incredibly hard to retain the 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.”
Potter is among several changes to the Wallabies squad ahead of the Test, with the back making a return to full fitness following a hamstring injury. His comeback is timely, with fellow winger Dylan Pietsch absent through a fractured jaw.
“I’m stoked to be back in the squad,” he said. “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 has been awesome watching the games, like waking up at one o’clock in the morning to watch the first Test match there (in South Africa) 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.”
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