A bloodied Scott Fardy emerged from a fierce training session confident the Wallabies are better prepared for Argentina's physicality than last year.
It was the Wallabies' first hitout since arriving in Argentina ahead of Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with the Pumas.
Fardy had the cuts to prove how tough it was, with the flanker requiring plenty of stitches after copping an elbow and a boot to the head.
Fardy joked that his headgear would cover most of the damage from clashes with locks Dean Mumm and Rob Simmons on Tuesday.
"Mummy kicked me in the head in a pretty benign little drill that we were doing and towards the end of the session, Simmo elbowed me in the head," said Fardy, who continued training with thick bandages around his head.
"It's a pretty disappointing session for me, but I'll be right for Saturday."
The Wallabies suffered a humiliating 21-17 loss to Argentina - the Pumas' first and only Rugby Championship win - last year in Mendoza.
But Fardy said the Australians were in much better shape for the clash this year from the moment they stepped off the plane.
"I think last time we had about 12 flights from Cape Town to get over here. I remember being extremely jetlagged," Fardy said.
"Our preparation has been a bit better than it was last time in terms of logistically getting here and with that comes the really good session that we had today. We were able to fly into it and we're really confident about what we can do on Saturday.
"The physical part of the game is really important, so this is what comes with it."
Any cobwebs the Wallabies had were blasted out by coach Michael Cheika, who barked orders during the session which included plenty of work on driving mauls after the Pumas shocked the All Blacks with two perfectly executed tries from lineout mauls last weekend.
"It's (driving maul) going to be a big focus this week and I think it's going to be a focus going forward to the World Cup," said Fardy
"It's such a key part of the game. You have to really dominate that area and the Argies are very good at it."
Cheika is set to make several changes to the side that scored a late and unconvincing victory over South Africa last weekend with David Pocock and No.7 Michael Hooper expected to start together against the Pumas.
Pocock excelled off the bench at No.8, while halfback Nick Phipps and playmaker Matt Toomua are expected to replace the injured Will Genia and Matt Giteau.
Queensland Reds tighthead prop Greg Holmes is a strong chance for a starting berth, while in the second row, former captain James Horwill might gain promotion to start alongside his Reds teammate Simmons.
Argentina went down 39-18 to the All Blacks in the opening game of the Rugby Championship in Christchurch last Friday.
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