Australia vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby Championship result and reaction as Pumas beat Wallabies
Australia 31-34 Argentina: Juan Martin Gonzalez’s last-gasp try snatches victory for the Pumas in Sydney
Juan Martin Gonzalez scored a late winner as Argentina stunned Australia 34-31 in the Rugby Championship to leave the Wallabies in disarray and without a win two games into the second Eddie Jones era.
Australia had scored two quick tries late in the game to overturn a 10-point deficit and take a 31-27 lead with five minutes remaining but the Pumas loose forward dived over a ruck on the Wallabies line to secure a famous victory.
Cheered on by a small but noisy band of their compatriots at the same Parramatta Stadium where they first beat the All Blacks in 2020, the Pumas secured only a third win over the Wallabies on Australian soil.
Samu Kerevi, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Len Ikitau and Nic White scored Australia’s tries, while Jeronimo de la Fuente, skipper Julian Montoya and Mateo Carreras also crossed for the Pumas.
Relive a dramatic Rugby Championship clash below:
TRY! AUSTRALIA 31-27 Argentina (Mark Nawaqanitawase, 76 mins)
OH MY WORD! A length-of-the-field interception try from Mark Nawaqanitawase to put Australia on top.
The Pumas go left and then right, getting close to the line. But over on the left, a flat pass is read by Nawaqanitawase and Super Rugby’s top try-scorer won’t be caught.
He races fully 90 metres and dives over under the posts. Easy conversion and Australia have turned this match around!
Australia 24-27 Argentina, 75 mins
The crowd are really into this now and it’s in the balance. End to end stuff! Tom Wright tries an ill-advised offload and Argentina have possession in the 22.
TRY! AUSTRALIA 24-27 Argentina (Samu Kerevi, 72 mins)
Australia strike right back and it’s game on!
Marika Koroibete punches his way down the left flank, pass inside to Quade Cooper running a great line.
Tackled a couple of metres short but good awareness from Cooper to pop pass from the floor to Samu Kerevi who goes over for the try. Great play by the Aussie back-line.
Cooper about four metres in from the left touchline and he nails the conversion! Within three points
TRY! Australia 17-27 ARGENTINA (Mateo Carreras, 69 mins)
Is that the killer blow? Mateo Carreras shows his pace and shiftiness to score.
Argentina reverse the field to the left, pop pass to Carreras running a great line and he slides outside David Porecki before arcing his run to touch down in the corner. Great play by the winger.
Good conversion from out wide by Boffelli and the Pumas lead by 10 points with 10 minutes left!
Australia 17-20 Argentina, 68 mins
Rebels flanker Josh Kemeny on for his Australia debut, while Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro on in the front row for the Pumas for Thomas Gallo.
Good scrum by Argentina but huge tackle by Samu Kerevi. Boom!
Australia 17-20 Argentina, 67 mins
Tate McDermott on for Nic White at scrum-half. He’ll have to help defend first up as Argentina reach the 22.
Good drift defence by the Wallabies and the Pumas are almost back to halfway. Mateo Carreras kicks through in hope more than expectation but it’s knocked on and a Pumas scrum on the 22.
Australia 17-20 Argentina, 65 mins
A rare bit of kick tennis from these two teams but Marika Koroibete decides to run back and makes good yards before Fraser McReight makes some more.
Ah, but it’s knocked on as McReight tries an offload. A bit of afters from both teams - Matias Moroni and Rob Valetini getting involved.
Moroni pushed a man on the floor but Valetini’s reaction was disproportionate according to the refs so penalty Argentina.
Australia 17-20 Argentina, 63 mins
Quade Cooper makes a few yards, then nice quick hands out to Marika Koroibete but well covered.
Hmmm, Australia going backwards here, back outside the 22 after a losses pass. Then Allan Alaalatoa knocks on when not really looking. Missed opportunity but good defence by the Pumas.
Loosehead prop Angus Bell on for James Slipper.
Australia 17-20 Argentina, 62 mins
Australia immediately back on the attack. A lineout around the Argentina 22.
Some news on Len Ikitau who injured his shoulder scoring the opening try. He’s off to hospital for a scan.
PENALTY! Australia 17-20 ARGENTINA (Emiliano Boffelli, 60 mins)
Argentina win the turnover penalty at the breakdown. Nic White looks unimpressed but the referee deems the ball was out and could legally be played.
Emiliano Boffelli, with his unique hunched-over stance, will have a pop from near halfway to the left of the posts.
Line good and the length as well! Great kick!
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