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Argentina fell in what was a familiar final quarter failing. Los Pumas were beaten 45-20 by Australia in Canberra this morning. The defeat came despite Argentina having been leading 13-10 at half time.
Los Pumas’ performance was, in many ways, a repeat of prior outings this year. The defeat means that Argentina are now 1-6 in 2017. Daniel Hourcade’s one win was in Jujuy against Georgia in June.
Losses against New Zealand and Australia both came despite Argentina having been leading in the second half. Both the All Blacks and Wallabies were able to see the fall of Argentina in familiar final quarter performances.
Los Pumas also repeated errors from prior outings. A solid opening half from Argentina saw them having the better run of play. But in conceding just the one try, the Wallabies were able to cancel it out and build a lead after the interval.
Argentina’s first half try was the result of persistent raiding. Fine carrying from forwards Pablo Matera, Guido Petti, Matías Alemanno, Agustín Creevy and Tomás Lezana paved the way for Martín Landajo to cross from close range.
The 23rd minute score came after fly halves Bernard Foley and Nicolás Sánchez had traded early penalties. Foley’s fine performance would contribute to Australia’s opening try. It came from star fullback Israel Folau.
Foley converted the difficult conversion. It was a much improved evening with the boot for the Waratahs pivot. Having cost Australia a win over New Zealand, he landed a perfect 6 from 6 conversions in today’s match. Foley would also be on target with penalties.
Foley’s first conversion leveled the scoring. Argentina, though, went into the break leading, thanks to Sánchez landing a 36th minute attempt.
Argentina’s once formidable scrum was not to be seen in Canberra. This enabled Australia to get go-forward ball. It was evidenced in the 49th minute when the Wallabies went over for their second try. Scoring under the posts was prop Sekope Kepu.
Three minutes later Wallabies made it back-to-back tries. Scoring his second try for the match was Folau. In doing so Folau set a new Australian record as he became the first Wallaby ever to score four doubles in a season.
Folau’s double made it 24-13 to the Wallabies. There was still plenty of time to play, thereby presenting an opportunity to Argentina to launch a comeback. An outplayed side, though, fell in the final quarter. Argentina’s inferior endurance was clear and Australia capitalized.
Crossing in the 72nd minute was Will Genia. The scrum-half went over from an advancing Wallabies scrum. He did so by breezing past veteran Juan Manuel Leguizamón. In addition the try came following Argentina having lost replacement Enrique Pieretto to a yellow card.
An impressive break from Sean McMahon saw Australia adding another in quick time. The back-rower ran down the right flank before linking with an unmarked Nick Phipps. He was able to just get over as Tomás Cubelli tackled him around his ankles.
A solo try from Matías Moroni saw Argentina hit-back. The 78th minute score saw there CUBA center kicking over Folau and regathering. Notwithstanding it would not be the final points.
With time up the Wallabies underlined why they were the better team. Replacement hooker Jordan Uelese dove from close range to score a pick-and-go try. It gave the home side a bonus point victory and sees Argentina clearly being the bottom side in the competition.
Los Pumas now have two weeks to prepare for their next match, a home fixture against New Zealand. The September 30 game in Buenos Aires will be followed by taking-on Australia in Mendoza on October 07.
SCORING
AUSTRALIA
Try – Folau (2), Kepu, Genia, Phipps, Uelese
Conversion – Foley (6)
Penalty – Foley
ARGENTINA
Try – Landajo, Moroni
Conversion – Sánchez (2)
Penalty – Sánchez (2)
Yellow Card – Pieretto
TEAMS
AUSTRALIA
15 Israel Folau, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Reece Hodge, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 Michael Hooper (capt.), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Samu Kerevi, 23 Marika Koroibete
ARGENTINA
15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Matías Moroni, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Tomás Lezana, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustín Creevy (capt.), 1 Lucas Noguera Paz
Replacements: 16 Julían Montoya, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Marcos Kremer, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Manuel Montero
Attendance: 14,229
