But Argentina coach David Hourcade showed the World Cup was his real priority in making a seven personnel changes as he weighs his options.
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Nick Phipps replaces the injured Will Genia at scrum-half, while Matt Toomua is rewarded for a fine performance off the bench against the Springboks with a start at inside centre in place of Matt Giteau, who is struggling with a sternum problem.
Cheika said his squad had the depth to cover for the injuries, and selection for the two-test Bledisloe Cup series against New Zealand was on the line against Argentina, where the Australians lost last season.
The Wallabies will now take on Argentina in Mendoza where last year the Pumas beat Australia to win their first Rugby Championship match.
FORMER captain David Pocock has shaken off a knee complaint to take his place in the Wallabies’ starting line-up for Sunday morning’s Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Mendoza.
Kuridrani, who scored in the first half of that match, was one of only three backs who started against South Africa last week who were retained for the Pumas match. Cooper is on the bench this week, and Genia and Giteau miss out through injury.
“That competitive nature of these trainings and of every session is really bringing out the best in the team”.
Holmes replaces Sekope Kepu at tighthead prop, Pocock steps into openside flanker for Michael Hooper and McCalman earns the number eight berth instead of Scott Higginbotham.
“The bench got us home against the Springboks last weekend and I will be looking for an even greater impact from our replacements this Saturday”, stressed Cheika.
Cheika wasn’t around last year when the side was hit by the off-field troubles involving Kurtley Beale which ultimately led to the resignations of coach Ewen McKenzie and team business manager Di Patston. Pocock’s strength at the breakdown will be crucial against the Pumas, who work a gameplan around a big forward pack, a strong kicking game and fast outside backs.
Camacho dislocated his shoulder so badly against New Zealand in September 2013 that he needed three operations.
“We have to believe we will win, not think we will, and focus on our game plan”, Lavanini said.
And in come wingers Gonzalo Camacho and Juan Imhoff, centres Matias Moroni and Juan Pablo Socino and scrum-half Martin Landajo. Reserves: Santiago Iglesias, Francisco Nahuel Tetaz, Matias Diaz, Leonardo Senatore, Tomas Cubelli, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Lucas Amorosino.
Wallabies team: J Slipper, S Moore (c), G Holmes, W Skelton, R Simmons, S Fardy, D Pocock, B McCalman, N Phipps, B Foley, J Tomane, M Toomua, T Kuridrani, A Ashley-Cooper (v-c), I Folau.
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Replacements: 16-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17-Scott Sio, 18-Sekope Kepu, 19-Dean Mumm, 20-Michael Hooper, 21-Nic White, 22-Quade Cooper, 23-Kurtley Beale.
