Michael Hooper's withdrawal wasn't exactly music to the ears of David Pocock, though the industrious loose forward has embraced taking over the captaincy for the Wallabies Test with Argentina.
Jimmy Barnes' classic 'Working Class Man' blared from the Cbus Super Stadium speakers at Friday's captain's run on the Gold Coast as news of regular skipper Michael Hooper's unavailability due to a hamstring strain filtered through.
The Barnes' anthem doesn't feature on Pocock's play list but, like an injury-disrupted squad, the veteran has had to go with the flow ahead of Saturday's Rugby Championship clash.
Yet again the Wallabies have had to deal with late disruptions to their line-up following Pocock (neck), Israel Folau (ankle) and new father Adam Coleman pulling out of the team to face South Africa last Saturday.
"You've got to share the load," said Pocock, who prefers Australian indigenous rappers Baker Boy or Briggs.
Getting in sync after losing personnel has been a theme throughout the Rugby Championship with coach Michael Cheika having to make unexpected changes in three of their four games.
Before last weekend's trio pulled out, impact prop Taniela Tupou was also a last-minute withdrawal from the series-opening loss to New Zealand in Sydney due to a hamstring strain.
The quartet are back in the side to face the Pumas, though Folau is on the wing rather than his usual position at fullback.
Pete Samu moves from the bench to start at No.8 alongside new openside Pocock, while Ned Hanigan has been added to the reserves for the Wallabies last home test of the year.
Pocock captains the side for the first time since 2016 and although he described it as a huge honour, the on-field leadership was not just his responsibility.
He said "different leaders in different areas" will simplify his task.
Pocock also felt with disruptions becoming the norm in 2018, they might actually benefit Cheika's side.
"I think it does. It forces you to adapt and one of the things Cheik has done really well is bring in a bunch of new talent," he said.
"If this (run of injuries) had happened before the last World Cup I think we'd be in some serious strife."
The Wallabies will start as comfortable favourites with bookies but the hosts are wary of a side that pushed New Zealand last weekend and beat South Africa in their last start at home.
"They mix a big, abrasive forward pack with some real flair out wide so you've really got to cater for everything in defence," he said.
Australia: Dane Haylett-Petty, Israel Folau, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia, Pete Samu, David Pocock (capt), Lukhan Tui, Izack Rodda, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio. Res: Folau Faingaa, Sekope Kepu, Taniela Tupou, Adam Coleman, Ned Hanigan, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Jack Maddocks.
Argentina: Emiliano Boffelli, Bautista Delguy, Matias Moroni, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Ramiro Moyano, Nicolas Sanchez, Gonzalo Bertranou, Javier Ortega Desio, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Santiago Medrano, Agustin Creevy (capt), Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro. Res: Julian Montoya, Santiago Garcia Botta, Juan Pablo Zeiss, Matias Alemanno, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Martin Landajo, Bautista Ezcurra, Juan Cruz Mallia.
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