Ben Donaldson's sweet redemption for missed kick that sparked momentous chain reaction
Updated . First published at
The first touch is the most important one for a footballer and the same rule applied for Wallabies five-eighth Ben Donaldson in La Plata on Sunday (AEST).
Donaldson was not introduced until the 78th minute of Australia's Rugby Championship clash with Argentina with the tourists trailing 19-17.
And the 25-year-old restricted himself to barking orders at his forwards as the Wallabies won lineout ball and then hammered away towards the try line.
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Ben Donaldson of Australia kicks the penalty to win. Getty
Donaldson's first touch in the game then came after New Zealand referee James Doleman awarded a penalty for a Pumas infringement close to the posts.
The match winning kick was as straightforward as it gets for a professional but the nerves can't help but jangle with so much on the line.
"I think I was still shivering when I got out there so it was an interesting couple of minutes," Donaldson told reporters after the 20-19 victory.
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Ben Donaldson celebrates in La Plata. Stan
"But when you come off the bench, you have a role to play. You only get minimal touches or involvements so you need to take them as they come and I was just lucky that I got a kick and it was nice and close to the post.
"We knew the game would be over so I did my best to run the clock down and ensure the game was over."
It was Australia's first Rugby Championship win since 2022 and was extra special for Donaldson given a previous miss in a near identical situation.
NEW PODCAST! Wallabies greats Michael Hooper and Bernard Foley help Morgan Turinui unpack Australia's dramatic win over Argentina in La Plata
What could have been a dream debut turned to heartbreak for Donaldson, who missed the conversion that would have prevented a historic loss to Italy in 2022.
With time up, Australia lock Cadeyrn Neville scored a try to bring the tourists within a point of the world's 12th ranked team at Stadio Artemio Franchi.
And so the equation was simple for Donaldson, who lined up the potential game winner with Italy clinging on to a one point lead in Florence.
But with his parents watching on in the stands, the NSW youngster's attempt - from a much more difficult angle - faded wide to the right, sparking jubilation from the Azzurri and devastation for Donaldson.
The upset loss was probably the catalyst for Dave Rennie's removal as coach in favour of Eddie Jones.
"I didn't go back to the Italy game," Donaldson said after Sunday's (AEST) upset win poetically lifted Australia above Italy into eighth on the world rankings.
Noah Lolesio of Australia consoles his teammate Ben Donaldson. Getty
"There's always pressure in these big moments in Test match footy but as a kicker, you thrive for those moments. I'm probably lucky I went through that moment in Italy because it's made me grow as a player and person.
"We do a lot of work throughout the week, put ourselves in moments as kickers so when we come to the game we're ready for it.
"Obviously I was nervous but I was ready for that moment and grateful it went over."
Donaldson is likely to continue his bench role for Sunday's (AEST) rematch with the Pumas in Santa Fe.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt offered support for starting No.10 Noah Lolesio despite a scratchy performance in treacherous conditions.
"I loved the way he backed himself," Schmidt said.
Pablo Matera of Argentina is tackled by Noah Lolesio and Hamish Stewart of Australia. Getty
"He backed himself in the air a couple of times and didn't quite get the result, but backed himself on the ground and ran out from his own 22 - almost set up Max Jorgensen for what would have been a fantastic length of field try.
"Forced the ball to Nick Frost at one stage when I think he would have been better off going downtown, but it's easy for people in the box with a full view to be able to make those decisions. He's in a very swirly, wet arena, a fairly hostile environment, and I thought he managed himself really well.
"There's always things that he will pick apart. He's challenging himself more and more, and I like that in the way that he's trying to build his game."
Stan Sport's Morgan Turinui also cut Lolesio some slack.
"The Brumbies play very differently to how the Wallabies are wanting to play," Turinui said.
"What was great was the second half - I could see the next stage of Joe Schmidt's plan, I could see Noah's place in it. I loved him have a crack from his own 22, when the game was on the line, really positive stuff in the second half that hopefully they can springboard off."
