Home pride to see Aussies cage Pumas
The form of both teams and the manner in which the game is played will be of extreme interest to Ireland.
For Argentina, playing Australia the obvious pool favourite in the first match, may, however, be a bonus. The opening matches of previous World Cups have been stop-start affairs as officials and players alike come to terms with the way the IRB has decreed the games should be refereed.
In past tournaments early games have been often marred by pedantic refereeing, and although international referees are now travelling and experiencing different rugby cultures, World Cups seem to throw up one or two interpretations on points of law which confuse everyone.
There is no doubt Argentina have the ability to cause an upset if the game becomes stop-start and set phase orientated. Of all teams in this World Cup, the Pumas have, possibly, made the most progress since the last one.
From a previously amateur base they have now taken to selecting players who travel overseas to play rugby professionally, with 22 players in the current squad either playing, or who have played, full-time in Europe.
Two victories at home this summer against France and a narrow one-point loss to South Africa in South Africa is a measure of their recent improvement. In particular, against the Springboks, there was a marked improvement in the defensive structure of the team.
Their game is still overly set-piece orientated with huge emphasis on scrums and a lack of real penetration in the three-quarters. The loss of captain Lisandro Arbizu to injury in the centres has further exacerbated the problem.
Australia, on the other hand, are in the middle of their biggest slump in form for years. Over the last decade they have become increasingly structured with predictable defensive and attacking systems. This has progressively stifled the attacking flair, and opposition teams are now more able to compete.
Coach Eddie Jones recognises the problem; he knows Australia possess a wealth of backline attacking talent, but seems unsure of his best combination. As a consequence, teamwork is suffering.
Like the All Blacks in 1999, Australia are lacking a tight five who can consistently control possession. It is in this area that Ireland attacked them late last year and it will certainly be the target for the Argentinean pack.
Like most other teams, Australia have had a series of preparatory training camps, and it will be of interest to see if they have been able to address any of their recent problems.
The introduction of Al Baxter at tighthead prop in the recent Bledisloe Cup game was Australia's success story of that match and may well prove to be a bit of a turning point.
Not only did he hold the All Black scrum when Australia were down to seven men in the pack, but he showed much more mobility and aggression in the loose than his immediate predecessors.
Against Argentina who will try to attack through their front row Baxter's good form could be vital.
Argentina will want to keep the game tight and control field position, with scrum-half Agustin Pichot in particular, directing a lot of play down the short side. They are unlikely to attack from long range, and as against South Africa, will look to score from forward drives or kicks for their wingers close to the line.
Meanwhile, don't be surprised if Australia try to prove they can play a more flowing game than they've shown of late.
To do this they will need to be able to guarantee their first phase possession and captain George Gregan must regain his decision-making skills and distribution ability without taking a couple of steps first, as he has been guilty of doing recently.
Argentina have admitted their real target is the match against Ireland on October 26 but the emotion of playing the opening game, and no burdensome expectations of a win, may just suit the Pumas on Friday.
The pressure is all on Australia.
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