Rugby: Rejuvenated McCalman returns against Pumas

Ben McCalman.

The Wallabies' surprise No8 selection Ben McCalman has survived on the fringes for four seasons but now he's hellbent on using his new-found power to seize the day against Argentina.

Picked ahead of Scott Higginbotham due to his toughness in close-quarters combat, McCalman believes he's poised to produce career-best test form in tomorrow night's Rugby Championship clash on the Gold Coast.

The 26-year-old back-rower enjoyed a break-out Super Rugby season for the Western Force this year before a groin injury struck.

The secret to his success was an enhanced gym programme that gave him more leg drive and strength, helping him to become one of the leading tackle-breakers.

But the groin strain, suffered in late May, taxed McCalman's power game and has taken him almost four months to overcome.

With Wycliff Palu in form for the NSW Waratahs, and Higginbotham providing an impact off the bench for Australia, McCalman was completely overlooked for the opening Rugby Championship clashes with New Zealand and South Africa.

But he looks back at the omissions with some positivity as it's allowed him the rest and time in the gym to regain the strength and confidence he'll need to combat the confrontational Pumas pack.

With the sidelined Palu expected back from concussion for the South Africa-Argentina tour which follows, McCalman needs a huge game to end his run of fleeting appearances.

Not since starting 10 straight tests after debuting in 2010 has he held on for more than three games in a row, in a 32-test career that includes 15 caps off the bench.

McCalman doesn't have the brute force of 116kg Palu nor the pace or X-factor of Higginbotham, but coach Ewen McKenzie is a big fan of his work-rate and all-round abilities.

While 8kg lighter than Palu, McKenzie says his output is similar in combative games against big, abrasive opponents.

Argentina have dropped both starting wingers in making three changes to its lineup.

Lock Tomas Lavanini will miss the match after receiving a one-match suspension for dangerous play in the Pumas' 28-9 loss to New Zealand last weekend. Matias Alemanno replaces Lavanini in a still-powerful forward pack.

Wingers Horacio Agulla and Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino have both been discarded after mediocre performances. Juan Imhoff and Manuel Montero have been drafted into the starting side to add more dash to the backline.

Argentina have challenged South Africa and New Zealand in tests this season.

They lost 13-6 and 33-31 to the Springboks, and stretched the All Blacks despite losing by four tries to nil last weekend.

The Pumas haven't beaten Australia since 1997 and haven't won in Australia since 1984 , but lost by only one point in Perth last season.

Coach Daniel Hourcade has made three changes to his bench, promoting flyhalf Jeronimo De La Fuente, prop Bruno Postiglioni and lock Benjamin Macome into the match 23.

Australia have recalled hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau who has been sidelined with injury.