Tri Nations 2020: The Breakdown - Top spot up for grabs as Wallabies face Pumas

After the high of defeating New Zealand for the first time, Argentina will look to buck the trend again and claim a win against Australia in the Tri Nations on Saturday.

Argentina claimed a 25-15 win over the All Blacks at Bankwest Stadium last weekend, with fly-half Nicolas Sanchez scoring all of the Pumas' points as Ian Foster's team were condemned to back-to-back losses for the first time since 2011.

The Wallabies handed New Zealand the first of those defeats, however, when they triumphed 24-22 in Brisbane on November 7.

They will have their eyes on top spot when the teams meet at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday.

HISTORY

Australia have won 17 of their past 19 Tests against Argentina, including their last two on the bounce, and 14 of the previous 15 on home soil.

The Pumas won away against the Wallabies as recently as September 2018, though, and will be hoping to record a third straight victory for the first time in five years.

Australia lost their only previous Test at McDonald Jones Stadium – a 9-6 defeat to Scotland in June 2012 – and will hope to stop Argentina recording successive triumphs against tier one opponents for the first time since June 2016.

TRI NATIONS MATCH 4 Attention all @wallabies fans... get to Newcastle for the big clash against @lospumas this weekend! Winner will be in prime position to win the title after both had victories over @AllBlacks Tickets https://t.co/DY6Dlmeh4n#TriNations2020 #ARGvAUS pic.twitter.com/Gp84jaTSsX

— Super Rugby/Tri Nations (@SuperRugby) November 18, 2020

FORM

Australia are averaging eight clean breaks per game in this year's Tri Nations, which is the most of any team and twice the amount Argentina managed in their first outing of the tournament.

The Pumas took good care of the ball against the All Blacks, though. They conceded four turnovers in the match, fewer than half the amount any other team has had in a single game in the competition.

ONES TO WATCH

Sanchez is in good form with two tries and 40 points across his two most recent Test outings, but he has only dotted down once in his 13 previous appearances against the Wallabies.

Michael Hooper will hope to help keep the Argentina star on the back foot. The Australia captain has gained 4.4 metres per carry in the competition, the most of any forward with at least 10 attempts.

151 - @NicoFSanchez has now scored 151 points in 14 games vs the All Blacks, only Matt Burke (176) has scored more against them, whilst his average of 10.8 pts/game against them is the best of any player (5+ games v NZ). Hero. pic.twitter.com/SUjvmwsm1V

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) November 14, 2020