Records shattered in embarrassing Wallabies loss to Argentina in the Rugby Championship
Updated . First published at
Australia's slim Rugby Championship title hopes are over after letting a 20-3 lead slip to lose 67-27 to Argentina in an embarrassing and scarcely believable record loss in Santa Fe.
"That's not a typo," Sean Maloney said in commentary for Stan Sport.
The Wallabies held that 17 point advantage after 30 minutes as fullback Andrew Kellaway scored a sublime try on Sunday (AEST).
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Santiago Carreras of Argentina runs with the ball. Getty
Joe Schmidt's side appeared on track for a second straight win over the Pumas but the hosts had other ideas in captain Julian Montoya's 100th Test.
The Wallabies wheels completely fell off in a reversal of the famous Michael Cheika-inspired comeback in Salta in 2018.
It was the most points conceded in a Test by the Wallabies, eclipsing the 61-22 hammering against the Springboks in Pretoria in 1997.
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The losing margin of 40 was the second worst in Australia's history, behind only the 53-8 defeat to South Africa in Johannesburg in 1998.
"It's not a Test match, it's a fiesta now," Morgan Turinui said amid the second half onslaught as the Pumas scored nine tries to three.
"They've just been irrepressible."
Argentina (10 points) are now the only team with a chance of overtaking South Africa (18) to win the competition with two rounds to play.
The Springboks are 4-0, the Pumas 2-2 and the All Blacks and Wallabies are both 1-3.
Australia will lick their wounds before hosting New Zealand in the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney on September 21.
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"We played some really good footy in the first half but in the second Argentina got a roll on and we couldn't stop them," Wallabies captain Harry Wilson told Stan Sport.
At one stage, the Pumas scored 38 consecutive points as Australia wilted in searing heat.
Australia had started hot with first half tries to flanker Carlo Tizzano and Kellaway.
Taniela Tupou of Australia is tackled by Julian Montoya of Argentina. Getty
Flyhalf Ben Donaldson, who kicked the last minute penalty which gave Australia a 20-19 win last weekend in La Plata, had a creative role in both tries.
But Argentina slashed the margin to three points by halftime with tries to winger Mateo Carreras and milestone man Montoya.
They then opened a 31-20 lead with tries from 5m scrums to backrowers Juan Martin Gonzalez and Pablo Matera in the first 17 minutes of the second half.
Joaquin Oviedo of Argentina scores a try. Getty
The Pumas revelled in the hectic, high tempo nature of a match played in hot, dry conditions which contrasted with the gale and driving rain last weekend.
They constantly ran the ball at Australia, keeping it alive with slick handling between backs and forwards.
From the 31st minute when they scored their first try, Argentina dominated the match and Australia simply couldn't keep up.
Argentina celebrate with the trophy at Brigadier General Estanislao Lopez Stadium. Getty
After an exchange of penalties in the first five minutes - Tomas Albornoz first for Argentina, then Donaldson, Tizzano scored in the 14th.
Donaldson carried the ball back from a deep kick and made a telling line break that eventually finished with Tizzano crawling over the tryline.
Donaldson also played a prominent role in the next try to Kellaway.
Donaldson linked with winger Max Jorgensen who put Kellaway in.
Argentina trailed 20-3 but roared back with tries to winger Carreras and Montoya.
Fullback Juan Cruz Mallia set up the first by keeping a deep Donaldson in play on the right touchline.
With the open field ahead of him, Mallia linked with Matera and Carreras finished in the 31st minute.
Argentina went close to scoring through Marcos Kremer from a tapped penalty in the 17th and tried the same tactic in the 37th minute for success through Montoya.
Argentina took the lead in the 48th minute with Gonzalez's try after a 5m scrum, and Matera also scored from a 5m scrum in the 57th.
The Pumas first went wide from the set piece to centre Lucio Cinti and Matera supported to score.
Albornoz, perfect off the tee, hit a second penalty for 34-20.
Then a turnover by Eduardo Bello saw Joaquin Oviedo break away and score a try.
Argentina had scored 38 straight points when the Wallabies finally broke the sequence with a solo try to scrumhalf Tate McDermott in the 69th minute, through four Pumas.
There was plenty of time for the Pumas to grab a late double for fullback Mallia, Oviedo to notch his second try, and Cinti to cap the crazy match with Argentina's ninth try. - with AP
Argentina 67 (Juan Cruz Mallia 2, Joaquin Oviedo 2, Mateo Carreras, Julian Montoya, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Pablo Matera, Lucio Cinti tries; Tomas Albornoz 6 conversions, 2 penalties, Santiago Carreras 2 conversions) Australia 27 (Carlo Tizzano, Andrew Kellaway, Tate McDermott tries; Ben Donaldson 2 conversions, 2 penalties, Tom Lynagh conversion). HT: 17-20
