After two major victories over world champions South Africa, the Wallabies have made it clear it’ll count for nothing if can't back it up against Argentina on Saturday.
Whilst Argentina sits on the bottom of the ladder, Los Pumas will be hungry to pull off a result in Townsville after a string of heavy defeats against South Africa and New Zealand.
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This is coupled with growing confidence against Australia, with their two encounters last year ending in draws.
Wallabies lock Darcy Swain reaffirmed they were refusing to take Argentina lightly, admitting their recent success will be overshadowed and forgotten with a bad performance.
“(We're) taking nothing away from them, they are a great side and we know they play with plenty of physicality and passion,” Swain said on Tuesday.
“We’re giving them the same respect as we give South Africa, New Zealand but we have to go out there and focus on our game knowing there are a lot of threats but also opportunities.
“We have to be good on both sides of the ball if we want to get away with the win.
“The last two games were great wins but count for nothing if we don’t back it up this week against Argentina. It’s not next week against Argentina but it’s this week, it’s today and what we’re doing each day and moment to get better and go as a team.
“No one remembers winning two games against South Africa but everyone will remember us losing against Argentina, everyone will remember that so have to be just as good, if not better against a passionate Argentina side.”
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This was shared by Len Ikitau, who has maintained his focus on shutting down Argentina despite inking a new two-year deal.
“The boys are happy that we got the win but it counts for nothing if we don’t step up against Argentina,” Ikitau said.
“We know that we have a job to do and we’re prepping towards that.”
With Ikitau looking to cement his spot in the side, he believes the added competition across the backline is helping to accelerate improvements and their development.
“There’s a lot of depth in the backline, especially in the centres with Samu and Hunter, Jordy (Petaia) can play as well so I guess it’s more of an opportunity to put heaps of depth in that backline,” he believes.
“I’m happy for whoever ends up playing in the centres.”
