Gritty new-look Wallabies upset Argentina in five-year first
Updated . First published
It wasn’t pretty but it was a win. And wins are becoming a glorious and regular thing for the Wallabies after they overcame Los Pumas 27-21 in Argentina on Sunday (AEST).
In fact, the Wallabies have made it four in a row for the first time since 2021 as Les Kiss repeated Joe Schmidt’s feat by winning his first three Tests in charge.
The Wallabies hung on to beat Argentina to make it four straight wins for the first time since 2021., Getty Images
After wins over Italy and Japan (twice) in the past six weeks, the Wallabies’ win over Argentina was the best of the lot.
Not because the Wallabies were especially clinical, but because it was the first time during this winning run that the men in gold played an international side above them on the World Rugby rankings. Now, the Wallabies have leapfrogged Los Pumas into seventh spot.
A vital turnover from Fraser McReight in the 76th minute just a split second after a huge shot from Billy Pollard and Angus Bell helped seal the deal.
More pressure was on its way, but a knock-on with time up from Argentina allowed Tate McDermott to bang the ball into touch to seal a tense win.
“That’s Test rugby, isn’t it? We weren’t perfect, neither were they. I thought it was a good industrious effort,” Kiss told Stan Sport.
Once again, the Wallabies’ forwards stole the show.
Rugby World Cup-winner Matt Burke described the Wallabies’ attack as “clunky” and that it was. There were linebreaks and the Wallabies’ inside backs found life tough.
Kiss, too, reflected that there was a lot of work to do.
“Their defence certainly tested us and we’re going to have to be better in that area next week,” he said.
“There’s still a few little clunky bits in our game. But the boys were calm out there.”
While the Wallabies’ backline saw little of the ball, the pack stood up and bettered an Argentinian side that was missing several regulars, including hooker Julian Montoya.
Tom Hooper of the Wallabies celebrates with teammates after scoring a try. Getty Images
After the Wallabies scored eight tries in their 56-17 demolition over Japan a fortnight ago, the piggies scored three of the side’s four tries.
Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, playmaker Carter Gordon and flanker Fraser McReight scored first half tries to help lead the Wallabies to a 22-14 half-time lead, before Tom Hooper crossed in the second half.
Josh Canham was just about the Wallabies’ best, with the second-rower once again showing his athleticism and skill.
Rob Valetini was also back to his bruising best in the Wallabies’ new-look back-row, where flanker McReight was ultimately deemed player of the match after a strong effort in defence. Blindside flanker Hooper was also excellent, scoring and winning a couple of crucial turnovers at the ruck.
“It was a back-and-forth sort of match. Argentina were very good. I thought we were poor in some areas, but I’m really proud of the group and happy to have got the win over here,” McReight said.
After Kiss changed up his entire pack and rested a couple of regulars including regular skipper Harry Wilson and prop Taniela Tupou, acting captain Allan Alaalatoa said he was thrilled to come away with the win.
“It was a tough Test match,” the prop said.
Josh Canham was one of the Wallabies’ best. Getty Images
“Argentina are very tough, especially when you play in their backyard. We knew we had to be on our game throughout the whole 80, and we saw that today.”
Asked what impressed him, Alaalatoa pointed to the character in holding on to win.
“I think the best thing about that game is we came out with a win, but we’re going to review it in a very tough way,” he said.
“The way that Argentina got into that game was probably through our own errors, so they’re things we can improve on heading into next week.”
The Wallabies jumped out to a fast start as Paenga-Amosa scored out wide after some brilliant play by second-row duo Canham and Jeremy Williams.
A turnover from Max Jorgensen allowed the Wallabies to kick to the corner after 10 minutes and seconds later Gordon crossed in the fringes.
Needing to fire a shot, the Pumas finally came to life when classy playmaker Santiago Carreras freed up winger Rodrigo Isgro. Seconds later, Carreras sent fullback Geronimo Prisciantelli over.
Isaac Henry was quiet against Los Pumas in Argentina. Getty Images
But some poor discipline allowed the Wallabies to resetablish their 12 point lead, as McReight scored in tight to send the visitors up 19-7.
The Wallabies then were guilty of some poor discpline and Harry Potter was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knockdown.
Despite some gallant defence, the Pumas eventually scored through Joaquin Moro.
But the Wallabies carried some momentum into half-time when Ryan Lonergan banged over a penalty to hand the visitors a 22-14 lead.
In a tense second-half where little separated the sides, the home side cut the margin to 22-21 when prop Boris Wenger crashed over in the 51st minute.
The Wallabies however once again responded through Hooper four minutes later. It came after Hunter Paisami burst through the Pumas’ rock solid defence, before Gordon followed up the midfielder’s surging run by getting well over the gain line.
It proved to be the final scoring act despite plenty of rugby being played in the final 20 minutes.
Now, Kiss will consider what to do with his side ahead of next week’s second Test on tour in Mendoza.
There’s bound to be plenty of changes, with the midfield to once again generate plenty of discussion, especially after Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s lively cameo off the bench and Len Ikitau fully fit and raring to go.
