Argentina v Australia, Rugby Championship
Sharpe: 'We must perform like men not boys'
ESPN Staff
October 5, 2012
Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe, Rugby WA Headquarters, Perth, Australia, June 20, 2011
Nathan Sharpe will make his 111th appearance for the Wallabies on Saturday © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Nathan Sharpe | James Slipper
Tournaments/Tours: Rugby Championship
Teams: Argentina | Australia

Australia skipper Nathan Sharpe has told his side that they must perform "like men, not boys" when they enter the cauldron of Rosario on Saturday against the Pumas.

The Wallabies are without many of their star names with the likes of Berrick Barnes, James Horwill, Will Genia, David Pocock and Quade Cooper all sidelined through injury and their starting XV contains seven players who have less than seven Test Appearances for the Australians. And they cannot expect an easy ride when they face an Argentinean outfit who at one stage led 19-3 in the return match back in Round 4 of the Championship.

Sharpe will lead the side - in what is his 111th appearance - and he has sounded a rallying call to his side ahead of the match. "Sharpey said 'get your head around what you're walking into - you have to be men, not boys. It's going to be a hostile environment','' prop James Slipper told the Sydney Morning Herald. ''It's going to be tough. We know that. We're not going to be walking into this game with our heads up. It will be head down and working hard this week."

The Wallabies have opted for a massive pack for their match with Argentina with Sitaleki Timani providing some physical bulk behind Sharpe and Kane Douglas in the second-row. And coach Robbie Deans - who has seen his side record just two victories in this year's competition - is anticipating a physical tussle up front when the two teams come face to face on Saturday.

Deans said: ''They will look to take us on physically as a pack. They will want to maul us and our selections are reflective of what we expect from them".

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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