Wallabies break Los Pumas' hearts with very late try
MATCH REPORT: The Wallabies have turned down three opportunities to kick a match-tying penalty and instead scored an 86th-minute winner in their latest Houdini Test act.
Australia beat Argentina 28-24 in Townsville on Saturday, with Angus Bell’s barging try coming after the Wallabies trailed by three points with 90 seconds to go.
They had trailed 7-27 at halftime but launched a brilliant second-half rally.
It came two Tests after a stunning, historic comeback defeat of South Africa at Ellis Park and continues the momentum outgoing coach Joe Schmidt has created in the past 12 months.
“There was a lot happening there,” skipper Harry Wilson said of the dramatic ending.
“We could have went for goal and taken the draw, but everyone believed we could finish the job.
“Everyone was feeling the moment, and there was 25,000 fans pleading for us to tap it.
“We weren’t at our best, but to find a way against a really good opposition is a real credit.”
In front of 20,162 fans, Argentina thought they’d pinched it with a 78th-minute penalty after the hosts had levelled at 21-21, but then failed to land the killer blow.
A jarring 15-point punch in just 13 minutes approaching half-time broke the game open for the visitors after a spluttering first half hour.
Argentina led 6-0 thanks to penalty goals when Taniela Tupou was twice pinged for making no-arm tackles in an opening that didn’t deliver the running rugby most expected.
Australia steadied and, after a 20-minute hydration break, eventually cracked the line.
Nic White darted through the space after Harry Wilson had peeled off the back of a line-out to get the hosts on the front foot.
But, with the Wallabies on the charge again, Rob Valetini knocked on and Los Pumas pounced.
First, they shifted to the blindside of a scrum, with wing Bautista Delguy finishing the slick move.
Tom Hooper’s forward pass minutes later gave them another scrum from a similar position, and Argentina schemed to the open side with a set play finished by wing Mateo Carreras.
Returning flyhalf Tom Lynagh and Andrew Kellaway, replacing the injured Tom Wright at fullback, then got tangled up inside their 22, and Carreras accepted another gift three-pointer.
Bell’s introduction gave Australia impetus that was converted when Len Ikitau’s offload put Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii over.
The contest opened up from there.
Lynagh was replaced by James O’Connor for the final quarter after suffering another concussion.
The Wallabies pushed again, and Carreras was yellow-carded for Argentina’s repeated infringements.
Suaalii pounced, beating two to score his second before O’Connor’s conversion levelled the scores.
The hosts had all the running in the final 15 minutes but were denied the go-ahead score.
In a rare attacking raid, Argentina found a penalty with Carlo Tizzano caught in a ruck and fullback Juan Cruz Mallia kicked a penalty before Australia’s audacious final push to win the match.
Man of the match: Angus Bell made a huge impact off the bench in the second half, while Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii scored a brace in the fightback. For Argentina, Santiago Carreras was excellent on attack, especially in the first half. However, the award goes to Wallaby captain Harry Wilson, who led from the front. He was a monster in the physical exchanges in the second half.
Moment of the match: There was plenty of drama after the full-time hooter sounded, with the Wallabies turning down three opportunities to go for a draw. It ultimately led to Angus Bell’s winning try.
The scorers:
For Australia:
Tries: White, Suaalii 2, Bell
Cons: Lynagh 2, O’Connor 2
For Argentina:
Tries: Delguy, M Carreras
Con: S Carreras
Pens: S Carreras 3, Mallia
Yellow card: Mateo Carreras (Argentina, 62′ – repeated infringements, offside)
Teams:
Australia: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Tom Hooper, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallía, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo García, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julián Montoya (captain), 1 Mayco Vivas.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Boris Wenger, 18 Francisco Coria Marchetti, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Joaquin Oviedo, 21 Agustin Moyano, 22 Geronimo Prisciantelli, 23 Benjamin Elizalde
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley (England), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
