Pumas fall to Wallabies at Twickenham

The historic Rugby Championship match in London, England went Australia’s way. Defensive errors and individual magic both worked against the South Americans as Australia won 33-21.

Errors from both sides dominated the early exchanges. This included a disallowed try to Los Pumas. A charged down kick from Will Genia was caught by an accidentally offside Santiago González Iglesias.

The Wallabies kicked deep from the penalty and camped themselves in the Pumas 22. Several plays later Joaquín Tuculet kicked back but failed to find touch. Dan Haylett-Petty then ran the ball back, breaking into within 10 meters of the try line. Quick play put Adam Coleman in the clear. Bernard Foley added the conversion to give Australia a 7-0 lead after 10 minutes.

A high early tackle count saw Agustín Creevy warned. Eleven minutes in Foley landed a penalty. González Iglesias had the opportunity to cancel it out but his 15th minute miss was wayward.

With Los Pumas enjoying a solid few minutes of possession the tall Australian team was put under pressure. High tackles followed, the third of which being from Michael Hooper. He was yellow carded in the 17th minute for the offense.

Argentina’s bad luck continued. In the 19th minute Matías Alemanno crossed for a second disallowed try. This time it was for a knock-on. Will play called back for a Coleman high tackle, Argentina kicked for the corner. Patient play saw Alemanno crossing. González Iglesias missed the conversion, making it 10-5 after 23 minutes.

The importance of goal kicking was underlined when, three minutes later, Foley found target again. The 13-5 lead remained when González Iglesias missed a penalty from in front.

Persistent Pumas attacking again resulted. A break from Ramiro Moyano got the team to within 10 meters. Coleman was then pressured and tackled high. The 31st minute incident would be Australia’s second yellow card for tackling high.

A lineout loss on their own throw saw Fijian-born Samu Kerevi swerving his way past Matías Orlando. There was enough time for one final first half play which Argentina used to kick for goal. González Iglesias’ off-day came to an end as he landed.

The half time score did, perhaps, not do justice to Argentina’s performance. A strong opening to the second half changed the flow of play. Smart thinking from Martín Landajo saw Argentina scoring their second try. Center Jerónimo de la Fuente spun past Foley to score in the 46th minute. González Iglesias made it 18-15.

In trying to be too adventurous Argentina then gifted Australia a try. A basic error handed Kerevi his second try. Foley added the conversion from in front. His opposite landed a penalty minutes later following a Wallabies scrum offense.

Changes saw Tomás Cubelli on with Landajo playing fly half. The dual scrum-half attack give Argentina rapid ball. A knock-on from Creevy prevented Argentina from scoring a third try.

Replacement Wallaby scrum-half Nick Phipps was penalized for shoving an official. Miraculously he was not red carded. González Iglesias took the opportunity to cut the deficit to four points only for Foley to kick his own three minutes later.

The result was secured in the 78th minute. A loose pass from Landajo was passed straight into the hands of Dean Mumm. Foley missed the conversion but it wrapped up a twelve point win.

Both teams will have a quick rest before playing further internationals. Australia will take-on New Zealand in a Bledisloe Cup fixture while Argentina travel to Tokyo to face Japan.

Attendance: 48,515

SCORERS
ARGENTINA
Try: Alemanno, de la Fuente
Conversion: González Iglesias
Penalty: González Iglesias (3)

AUSTRALIA
Try: Coleman, Kerevi (2), Mumm
Conversion: Foley (2)
Penalty: Foley (3)
Yellow Card: Hooper, Coleman

ARGENTINA
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Matías Moroni, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Santiago González Iglesias, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (capt.), 1 Lucas Noguera Paz
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Marcos Kremer, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizámon, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Gabriel Ascárate, 23 Lucas González Amorosino

AUSTRALIA

15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Bernard Foley, 11 Reece Hodge, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Lopeti Timani, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (capt.), 1 Scott Sio

Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Kane Douglas, 20 Scott Fardy, 21 Leroy Houston, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Tevita Kuridrani