The Brumbies are preparing for a “Test team” in their Super Rugby semi-final against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Saturday morning (AEST).
Jaguares prop Mayco Vivas, 21, is the only player named in the starting XV this week who hasn’t represented Argentina, while their bench boasts a further 185 Test caps.
The Brumbies have 11 Wallabies in their game day 23, but still enter the clash confident they’ll progress to their first final since 2013.
The Canberra side are riding a single-season club record seven-game winning streak, but their most recent loss came against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
Brumbies skipper Christian Lealiifano will play his 150th game for the club and backed his men to silence one of the most hostile crowds in Super Rugby.
“It’s just about doing what we’ve done all year and continue to try and take our chances when they come,” Lealiifano told AAP.
“They’re a physical team, they defend well. They can create something from nothing and punish your mistakes so we’ve got to be clinical with our execution and our set-piece will have to be strong again, but I’m confident.
“The atmosphere is going to be amazing and our challenge is to keep them as quiet as possible by taking the game to them and dominating.”
The Brumbies have made one injury-forced change for the game, promoting Lachlan McCaffrey to No.8 for Wallabies back-rower Pete Samu.
Samu, who bagged two tries in the quarter-final before straining his hamstring, has won the past two Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders and is aiming to return for the final.
But he admits his teammates face a tough task in Argentina.
The Jagaures have won 10 of their past 11 games and are gunning for their first final in the club’s four-year history.
“It’s tough job going over there, they’re on a good roll,” Samu said.
“They’ve got some good forwards and their back-rowers especially, they’re a quality side around the park and have some elusive backs.
“They’re definitely a Test team.”
Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa believes the game will be decided in the forwards.
“We’re expecting a physical battle up front, they’re a strong pack with plenty of blokes who have played at Test level so we definitely know what to expect,” Alaalatoa said.
“They have a lot of pride and passion around their scrum and maul so I think the battle up front is going to be huge for us.”
Lock Murray Douglas takes McCaffrey’s spot on the bench.
Brumbies: Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Irae Simone, Toni Pulu, Christian Lealiifano (capt), Joe Powell, Lachlan McCaffrey, Tom Cusack, Rob Valetini, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio. Res: Connal McInerney, James Slipper, Les Makin, Darcy Swain, Murray Douglas, Jahrome Brown, Matt Lucas, Tom Wright.
