“We’re going to win. I’m telling you, we’re going to win.”
With those words Will Genia left no doubts as to the Wallabies’ mindset as they prepare for a must win clash against Argentina in Salta on Sunday morning (AEST).
While they may have dropped their sixth match of the season against the Springboks in Port Elizabeth there was certainly a more optimistic mood about the Australians post match.
They have every right to be more optimistic as there were signs of improvement in South Africa.
“I think we showed a lot of things in terms of heart, determination and character but more specifically the way we want to play the game,” the star halfback said.
“I thought there were really good bits of play throughout the contest, good interlink between forwards and backs and we were really disciplined in sticking to our shape.
“I think what let us down was just our execution errors - skill errors at times.
“But I think there were a hell of a lot of positives to take out of the game.
"Yeah we lost and we have to cop that which is really disappointing but we have a lot more to build on this week moving into the Argentina Test than possibly in weeks gone before.
“We’re going to get them back, 100 percent.”
The improvements Genia speaks of were on display in three facets of Australia’s performance against the Boks.
A specific focus on hurting the rush up Springboks defence out wide paid dividends and made serious metres upfield, the scrum was solid as a rock throughout and they did show resilience to take the match to the death after starting the match in disastrous fashion.
Kurtley Beale’s baffling brain snap was responsible for seven of the 14 points the Australians conceded in the first quarter but he had several dangerous touches in the 79 minutes which followed.
“Kurtley is one of those guys who gets a bit disappointed and down because we lose and we aren’t scoring the points that we would like,” Genia said.
“I guess rightly so because we feel like we are playing good rugby - we just aren’t scoring tries.
“The thing to reiterate to him is that we are doing good things, we are creating opportunities and we are creating scoring plays.
“We just have to stick at it and that’s a discipline in itself - to stick at it.”
Those overall facets of play and Beale’s best game to date at flyhalf has Genia mighty confident despite the worrying form of his side.
“You guys might think we are crazy but we believe in ourselves as individuals and as a team,” he said.
“We know that if we prepare well we go out every single time believing we are going to win.
“We’re gonna win (in Argentina). I’m telling you, we’re going to win”
The Argentinians will have the same mindset.
They have looked a vastly improved outfit through the entirety of The Rugby Championship and were the better side when these two teams met on the Gold Coast.
Add in the element of altitude at play in Salta and Mario Ledesma’s side should probably start as favourites.
The Wallabies must pull out a win against the odds.
If they don’t they’ll have finished last in The Rugby Championship for the first time since the four team format was introduced and the heat will really be on coach Michael Cheika.
“They’ll be difficult because they’re playing a really good brand of rugby and they’re confident,” Genia said.
“They’re coming off the back off a win over Australia and it will be tough.
“But we are going to go out there and we are going to win."
The Wallabies will face Argentina in Salta on Sunday morning AEST, kicking off at 8:40am, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
