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There was no winner today in Sydney. In a repeat of the same outcome from two weeks ago, Argentina secured a draw on foreign soil against the Wallabies. Today’s result was a 16-16 draw with one try scored by the Wallabies and one by Los Pumas.
There was a bright start for the Wallabies. A knock-on from Rodrigo Bruni gave Australia the ball back from the kick-off. The home team enjoyed the better of early play, controlling possession and territory.
Los Pumas conceded five penalties in the opening 14 minutes. Meanwhile, the Wallabies opted three times not to kick for goal. On the third occasion, Julián Montoya punished the decision; his turnover prevented a potential try.
Marcos Kremer and Michael Hooper both received first half yellow cards. Both were for shoulder to head contact; potentially fortunate to avoid red cards. The scoring opened following the first. Reece Hodge landed a penalty in the 16th minute.
Nicolás Sánchez leveled the scoring two minutes later. He did so with a long-range penalty from halfway. Hooper’s illegal clean-out followed. It was on Sánchez which meant a test debut for Domingo Miotti. The 24-year-old landed the penalty.
Argentina were not enjoying the better of play. From an defensive lineout, Montoya and his forwards drove forward. Following a 20 meter gain Felipe Ezcurra attacked, breaking the line. He attracted defenders before passing to Bautista Delguy. The Bordeaux-bound winger fooled Marika Koroibete with a step and handed-off Hunter Paisami to score.
Australia responded on the stroke of halftime. Hodge landed a penalty and added another to open the second half scoring. The scores favored Argentina 13-9 but the match was poised.
Both sides looked to their replacements. The third card of the match went to Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. The replacement second-rower was red carded for making direct high contract to the head on Santiago Grondona. Miotti landed the penalty to make it 16-9.
Australia were a man down, but far from being out of the contest. Pumas replacement Lucas Paulos was yellow carded for excessive Pumas penalties. Australia capitalized; captain Hooper dotted down from an attacking maul.
Hodge landed the conversion to make it a 16-16 scoreline. The final 13 minutes saw both teams gaining ground, but no points were scored. As was the case in Newcastle, Hodge had a match-winning opportunity. his 80th minute attempt was wide.
The final result means that Argentina finish second in the 2020 Tri Nations. It brings to an end international competition for both teams for 2020. They will next play in July 2021.
SCORING
AUSTRALIA
Try: Hooper (67′)
Conversion: Hodge (68′)
Penalty: Hodge 3 (16′, 40’+2, 50′)
Yellow Card: Hooper (32′)
Red Card: Salakaia-Loto (60′)
ARGENTINA
Try: Delguy (34′)
Conversion: Miotti (35′)
Penalty: Sánchez (18′), Miotti 2 (33′, 60′)
Yellow Card: Kremer (15′), Paulos (66′)
TEAMS
AUSTRALIA
1 Scott Sio, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Rob Simmons, 5 Matt Philip, 6 Ned Hanigan, 7 Michael Hooper (capt.), 8 Harry Wilson, 9 Nic White, 10 James O’Connor, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Hunter Paisami, 13 Jordan Petaia, 14 Tom Wright, 15 Reece Hodge
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Rob Valentini, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Irae Simone, 23 Tom Banks
ARGENTINA
1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Julián Montoya, 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 4 Matías Alemanno, 5 Marcos Kremer, 6 Santiago Grondona, 7 Facundo Isa, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 9 Felipe Ezcurra, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente (capt.), 13 Matías Orlando, 14 Bautista Delguy, 15 Santiago Carreras
Replacements: 16 José Luis González, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 19 Lucas Paulos, 20 Francisco Gorrissen, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Domingo Miotti, 23 Santiago Chocobares
Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
