Australia coach Michael Cheika insists playing David Pocock and Israel Folau

Influential flanker Pocock and full-back Folau were doubtful due to calf and ankle injuries which ruled them out of the dramatic quarter-final victory over Scotland last weekend, but the superstar duo will return against the Pumas.

The pair trained properly for the first time in a fortnight on Friday, with Pocock joining in line-out drills, as they convinced coach Michael Cheika they were fit be in contention to face the Pumas at Twickenham on Sunday (Monday 0300 AEDT).

Australia, world champions in 1991 and 1999, goes into Sunday’s match as slight favourites and while Cheika is confident of winning he said there was no complacency in his team whatsoever.

The players were given a rare day off on Thursday to rest their bodies before Cheika announces his team on Friday, with even the top leaders unsure if they will be picked.

“After training we’ll decide”.

Pocock’s ability to win turnovers at the breakdown should give Australia extra possession, while Folau’s size and speed make him a handful for any defensive lineup.

“We have to perform our role”.

The Wallabies have lost loosehead prop Scott Sio who has failed to recover from the arm injury he sustained against the Scots.

Vice-Captain Michael Hooper will have the honour of making his 50th Test appearance in the final four clash as the Wallabies battle for a place in the Rugby World Cup Final.

Utility back Kurtley Beale and backrower Ben McCalman revert to the bench.

“James has been pushing for a starting spot with his performances as a finisher and I know he’ll take it with both hands”, Cheika said in a statement.

“Argentina are a great team, they deserve to be there and we’re looking forward to a great semi-final”.

The Pumas blitzed Joe Schmidt’s Ireland in their World Cup quarter-final last weekend, emerging as convincing 43-20 victors in the Millennium Stadium. Argentina’s success at Test level – and now on a weekly basis on home soil with their best players – will also serve to bring through many more kids, inspired by their heroes.

15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Juan Martin Hernandez, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustin Creevy (captain), 1 Marcos Ayerza.