No winner as Australia and Argentina draw in Tri Nations

There was no winner. Australia and Argentina competed to a 15-15 draw in Newcastle. The result means that all three teams in the Tri Nations have six competition points. Australia, and New Zealand has one match remaining. Argentina has two. The draw was, therefore, not a bad result at all for Los Pumas.

The tone of the match appeared to have been set early. Referee Paul Williams penalized Julián Montoya in the 4th minute. Williams deemed that Montoya did not release. He was the first player over the ball and was on his feet. Both teams were cautious for the duration.

Reece Hodge took the opportunity to slot the early goal. The Wallabies fly half would score all 15 of Australia’s points.

Australia had far more of the ball in the opening half. Following the early penalty, the Wallabies enjoyed a lengthy period in charge of play. The home side had Argentina under pressure. When the South Americans kicked out the Wallabies counterattacked, and they did so well.

The pressure gave Michael Hooper confidence. He turned down a kickable penalty to go for the corner. It almost resulted in a try only for center Jordan Petaia to have a boot on the dead-ball line upon touching down.

Argentina had been let off the hook. The pressure, though continued to mount. It hit a low point with Juan Imhoff departing in the opening 15 minutes. The Racing 92 winger had to watch the remainder of the match with ice on his hamstring. He was replaced by Emiliano Boffelli.

The game was remained 3-3; however, Australia were looking good. The Wallabies showed impressive offloading, quick recycling, gained rapid meters and did so with phases. It was not case of dominating the breakdown. Instead, Argentina often opted to not compete.

Hooper turned down a 22nd minute shot at goal. The kick to the corner gave the Wallabies a golden opportunity. Los Pumas challenged the lineout with Guido Petti making a steal in the air.

Sánchez and Hodge exchanged 31st and 36th penalties. It saw the match seemingly headed for a 6-6 halftime draw. It was not to be. Taniela Tupou and Nicolás Sánchez exchanged pushes and shoves. Williams penalized Sánchez for retaliation from which Hodge kicked three points.

Australia started the second half well. Deep in Pumas territory they threatened to score. From an attacking lineout, Argentina again recovered. Again it was Petti who stole the ball in the air.

It prevented a try scoring opportunity, though Australia gained points two minutes later. Montoya was yellow carded for not releasing in a tackle. It was the third such penalty against Argentina.

Hodge scored Australia’s final points. With it the Wallabies were ahead 15-6. Argentina looked to cover by winning the basics. This resulted in two scrum penalties. The second saw Sánchez kicking a 64th minute penalty.

The replacements also helped Argentina’s efforts. Facundo Isa made two strong carries and won a penalty. Sánchez kicked the three-pointer from long range. With it the game was poised at 15-12 with thirteen minutes remaining.

Argentina won another penalty near half way. Sánchez slotted his second long-range penalty in quick succession. With it he had landed 5 kicks from 6 attempts. Hodge had 5 from 5 at the time. The Australian had an opportunity to restore the lead. However, his 76th minute penalty was wide.

Australia impressed from the restart. They used the width of the field well to get into the opposition half. They remained there until time passed 80 minutes and threatened to score. Argentina held on and recovered possession. Santiago Cordero kicked and chased. The replacement was close though Australia secured the ball and kicked to end the match.

The teams will play each other again in two weeks time in Sydney. In the meantime focus will go to Argentina vs New Zealand. All three teams need competition points. The All Blacks, Los Pumas, and Wallabies are tied on 6 at present.

 

SCORING

AUSTRALIA (15)
Penalty: Hodge 5 (4′, 36′, 40′, 44′, 59′)

ARGENTINA (15)
Penalty: Sánchez 5 (6′, 31′, 64′, 67′, 71′)
Yellow Card: Montoya (44′)

TEAMS

AUSTRALIA
1 Scott Sio, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Rob Simmons, 5 Matt Philip, 6 Ned Hanigan, 7 Michael Hooper (capt.), 8 Harry Wilson, 9 Nic White, 10 Reece Hodge, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Hunter Paisami, 13 Jordan Petaia, 14 Tom Wright, 15 Tom Banks

Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Valetini, 20 Liam Wright, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Noah Lolesio, 23 Filipo Daugunu

ARGENTINA
1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Julián Montoya, 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Matías Alemanno, 6 Pablo Matera (capt.), 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 11 Juan Imhoff, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Matías Orlando, 14 Bautista Delguy, 15 Santiago Carreras

Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Santiago Grondona, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Emiliano Boffelli, 23 Santiago Cordero

Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Angus Gardner (Australia)