Rugby: McKenzie urges side to back up Pumas win

McKenzie has promoted Matt Toomua from the bench to inside centre. Photo / Gettyt Images

Coach Ewen McKenzie has challenged the Wallabies team to reproduce the sort of form that spanked Argentina when they face the All Blacks in Dunedin tomorrow.

Overcoming the world champions, unbeaten on their home turf in 29 tests since mid-2009, sounds a near-impossible task for a Wallabies team that has won just three of nine tests this year. But McKenzie is having none of that.

"You've got to fancy your chances," McKenzie said. "Hopefully we've bottomed out and are now climbing."

McKenzie stressed the importance of backing up the vastly improved performance the Wallabies gave in their 54-17 win over Argentina in Rosario two weeks ago - their highest scoreline against the Pumas.

While they've already lost the Bledisloe Cup for an 11th straight year, the Wallabies will march out under the roof of Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night wanting to prove they've closed the gap after being well beaten in the first two Cup games and also twice by South Africa.

McKenzie has promoted Matt Toomua from the bench to inside centre after an injury to his Brumbies teammate Christian Lealiifano.

Toomua started at five-eighths in the first two Bledisloe defeats at the start of the Rugby Championship but will line up outside Quade Cooper, who has reclaimed that role since.

A big question will be whether they can maintain the free-flowing attack Cooper orchestrated in Rosario against stronger opposition in New Zealand - especially with the booing that will echo in the stadium every time he touches the ball.

Having fellow five-eighths Toomua outside of him will ease some of that pressure.

"[Toomua's] got all the attributes to play [centre], and we've already made it quite clear that we're playing a first and second five-eighths arrangement," McKenzie said. "He'll have a good chance to impose himself in the game in defence and attack."

While known for his stout defence, Toomua said he would have his hands full against Ma'a Nonu and Ben Smith. "They are brilliant runners, and they also bring in [winger Julian] Savea to the attack," Toomua said.

- AAP