Argentina down Australia for famous Rugby Championship away win

Argentina have done it; Los Pumas went to Sydney and conquered the largest Australian city. The South Americans showed great coverage and patience to win 34-31 in the final act of the match. The result gives the Argentines a notable boost with the World Cup in under two months time.

The scoring was dead-even in the opening half. What begun as a 10-0 Australian lead ended at 10-10. Notwithstanding, the reality of the play was different to the points registered. Argentina played the better rugby.

Lucio Cinti gave his World Cup chances a massive boost. The new Saracens recruit made a break in the first minute. Argentina won a penalty but Emiliano Boffelli’ kick hit the post.

Australia recovered to win two penalties of their own. The second saw a quick-tap taken. The Wallabies came away with a try in the left corner to Len Ikitau. However, the try was an error not from the Pumas mistake but from the officials. The TMO checked the grounding but not the pass. Quade Cooper’s pass forward. Cooper converted magnificently from wide.

Following the restart, the Wallabies quickly got back into the Pumas half. They were awarded a penalty which Cooper slotted for a 10-0 lead. It was ominous for Argentina, or was it?

The South Americans put together a 15 phase attack. Solid recycling, carriers from the forwards, use of the backs through the middle and good play from scrum-half, Gonzalo Bertranou, ended with a kickable penalty for Boffelli. It ended the opening quarter at 7-3.

Argentina had 76% possession in the first quarter. They also had plenty of ball in the second which began with Australia knocking-on from the re-start. Los Pumas won a scrum penalty. Will Skelton was then penalized from the resulting lineout to maul move. Pumas were back in the Australian 22 and this time scored. Phases resulted in Jerónimo de la Fuente running into and over Nic White. Boffelli converted from wide to level the scoring in the 27th minute.

The Wallabies threatened to score at the other end. A promising attack 36th minute attack stopped by Santiago Grondona and Matías Alemanno. Los Pumas then worked their way back in to the Australian 22 and ended the half narrowly missing a second try.

Concerns for Argentina marked the early second-half. Matías Alemanno was hurt in a ruck and left with a knee injury. Argentina continued to look dangerous. Debutant Rodrigo Isgró was tackled inches short of the try zone. Los Pumas won a penalty and looked to the forwards. Captain Julián Montoya scored from a pick-and-go.

Sometimes the small things are what matter. Nic White darted over for a simple try after Jerónimo de la Fuente had run to the other side of the scrum. The scores were level again after 54 minutes. Six minutes later the this quarter concluded with Santiago Grondona winning a turn-over penalty and Boffelli landing a long-range goal.

Possession and territory had balanced out in the third quarter. Australia opened the fourth with an attack in the Argentine 22. Argentina held firm. Following some back-and-forth kicking the Wallabies made a break only to knock-on.

The match then entered the final 10 minutes on a cliffhanger. Following teamwork from all fifteen players on the field, Los Pumas came away with a try. Mateo Carreras got an assist from Pablo Matera and danced around Mark Nawaqanitawase to score. Boffelli converted. Samu Kerevi responded immediately and Cooper converted to make it 27-24 in Argentina’s favor.

Mark Nawaqanitawase made up for the missed tackle by scoring five minutes from full-time. Cooper landed to give Australia a 31-27 lead with five minutes remaining. It looked like the match-winner, only Montoya’s men had the final say. Patience on the Wallabies line was rewarded with Juan Martín González scoring for the win. Boffelli converted for a three point victory.

Los Pumas now travel to South Africa. Argentina face the Springboks in Johannesburg on July 29. The final round fixture will coincide with Australia playing host to New Zealand in Melbourne.

AUSTRALIA (31)
Try – L Ikitau (6’); N White (53’). S Kerevi (70′); M Nawaqanitawase (74′)
Con – Q Cooper 4/4 (7’, 54’, 71′, 75′)
Pen -Q Cooper (12’)
YC – R Arnold (40’)

ARGENTINA (34)
Try – J de la Fuente (26’); J Montoya (45’). M Carreras (68′); JM González
Con – E Boffelli 4/4 (27’, 46’, 69′, 80′)
Pen – E Boffelli 2/3 (20’, 60’)

AUSTRALIA
1 James Slipper (capt.), 2 David Porecki, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Richie Arnold, 5 Will Skelton, 6 Jed Holloway, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Rob Valetini, 9 Nic White, 10 Quade Cooper, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Samu Kerevi, 13 Len Ikitau, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15 Tom Wright

Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Josh Kemen, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Carter Gordon

ARGENTINA
1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Julián Montoya (capt.), 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 4 Matías Alemanno, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Santiago Grondona, 8 Juan Martín González, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Santiago Carreras, 11 Mateo Carreras, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Rodrigo Isgró, 15 Emiliano Boffelli

Replacements: 16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Lucas Paulos, 20 Rodrigo Bruni, 21 Lautaro Bazán Vélez, 22 Nicolás Sánchez, 23 Matías Moroni

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jaco Peyper (ZA)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZ); James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Marius Jonker (ZA)