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Rugby Championship R2 preview: Lineups, team news, predictions

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Are the Wallabies rushing Max Jorgensen's development? (4:22)

The ESPN Scrum Reset discuss 19-year-old Max Jorgensen and whether the wider Wallabies squad is the best place for him to be. (4:22)

The Rugby Championship returned with a bang last weekend as the Springboks flexed their world champion credentials and the Pumas created another memorable moment in the history of Argentine rugby.

The South Americans' shock upset of the All Blacks has certainly created a stir in New Zealand, with Scott Robertson now fully aware that there is a different kind of coaching heat in the top job compared with Super Rugby.

As for the Wallabies, well, it might be a long old tournament as Joe Schmidt works out which of his players can mix it with the big boys of Test rugby. On the evidence of the weekend, he has only a few.

Read on as we bring you the latest team news below and look ahead to the Round 2 clashes.

Saturday, August 17

New Zealand vs. Argentina, Eden Park, Auckland, 5.05pm AEST [7.05pm NZT, 9.05am RSA, 4.05am ARG]

New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara; Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali'I, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa'i, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams.

Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Sam Cane, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Tele'a.

Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia, Matias Moroni, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou, Joaquin Oviedo, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Pablo Matera, Pedro Rubiolo, Marcos Kremer, Lucio Sordoni, Julian Montoya, Thomas Gallo.

Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Mayco Vivas, Joel Sclavi, Franco Molina, Tomas Lavanini, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Tomas Albornoz, Bautista Delguy

Team news: All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has stuck with his under-fire halves pairing of TJ Perenara and Damian McKenzie, but has otherwise ushered in four fresh faces to his run-on side. In the backline, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke are promoted at right wing, outside centre and left wing respectively, while Tamaiti Williams replaces Ethan de Groot at loosehead prop.

Anton Lienert-Brown and Mark Telea drop back to the bench, while Sevu Reece and de Groot are omitted altogether.

What they're looking for: Eden Park is the home of New Zealand rugby and a real fortress for the national team. They haven't lost there since 1994, when they were beaten by France. It has been 50 matches since that defeat, and the All Blacks have not lost at the ground since. Argentina will face a huge challenge after winning for the second time on Kiwi soil.

The first goal is to be able to be competitive again, a condition they haven´t been able to hold on to after a great win. What is more, every time they have beaten the All Blacks, they have regularly succumbed to the strength of the three-time world champions in the following match. Consistency, persisting over time with the same approach and being able to display the same attitude they showed in Wellington will be the challenges Los Pumas will face in Auckland.

New Zealand will be out for revenge and will be looking to change their image as much as they can, in order to move on from the criticism they received from the media after their poor performance.

Prediction: New Zealand by 13.

Australia vs. South Africa, Optus Stadium, Perth, 7.45pm AEST [9.05pm NZ, 11.05am SA, 6.05am ARG]

Australia: Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Nic White; Harry Wilson, Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell.

Replacements: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Seru Uru, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Max Jorgensen.

South Africa: Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg, Elrigh Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat, Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard.

Team news: Angus Bell will make his long-awaited return from injury against the Springboks this weekend, while rising star Max Jorgensen is poised to take his international bow as Australia seeks an unlikely win in Perth.

Joe Schmidt has rung in the changes after his side were walloped by the Springboks last week with Bell joining Josh Nasser in the front-row alongside Allan Alaalatoa, while Angus Blyth covers the concused Nick Frost and Nic White makes his first appearance for the Wallabies this year after Jake Gordon underwhelmed last week.

South Africa have made 10 changes to their starting line-up for the Rugby Championship Test with Australia in Perth on Saturday, including first starts for scrumhalf Morne van den Berg and lock Ruan Nortje.

Aphelele Fassi comes in at fullback, part of a back three that also includes Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi. Jesse Kriel keeps his place at outside centre and will partner Lukhanyo Am, who gets a rare run in the number 12 jersey.

Young flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 22, retains his place after an impressive display and there will be a first start for Van den Berg at scrumhalf.

Prediction: While Joe Schmidt has bolstered his front-row with the return of Angus Bell and brought in experienced heads in Nic White and Marika Koroibete, the Wallabies will still be up against in Perth as they look for redemption after they were hammered last week. They'll need Noah Lolesio and White to find some space for the backline who struggled against an impenetrable defensive wall in Brisbane, while their back-row will need to step up physically to meet the level of the world champions. Meanwhile, Rassie Erasmus has taken the opportunity to make mass changes. Disrespectful or not, the Wallabies can expect this 'B' team to be as formidable as their regular starters, with their bench featuring some of the world's best.

Boks by 15