Australia v South Africa LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as dominant Springboks rout Wallabies
Australia 7-33 South Africa: The world champions showed their superiority at Suncorp Stadium to open their Rugby Championship campaign with a win
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
South Africa showed their strength in a dominant performance as they kicked off the Rugby Championship with a 33-7 win over Australia in Brisbane.
The Wallabies had been three wins from three under new head coach Joe Schmidt, but were comfortably second best at Suncorp Stadium, unable to match the world champions’ set-piece superiority and physical edge. The Springboks were in total control for the entire contest, scoring thrice before half time having won the territorial battle, and adding two more tries after the interval to make totally certain as hot-stepping wing Kurt-Lee Arendse capitalised with a couple of scores.
Australia had their chances in the second half, but will rue their profligacy inside the visitors’ 22, coughing up possession repeatedly in advanced areas. For a young side in rebuilding mode after Schmidt’s appointment, there were signs of encouragement defensively but the hosts’ kicking game and attacking accuracy was short of the standards required to match Rassie Erasmus’ fearsome side.
The pair will meet again in Perth next week with the Springboks seeking just a second Rugby Championship crown since Argentina’s addition to the competition as they look to unseat defending champions New Zealand.
Follow all the latest reaction from Suncorp Stadium below:
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 6 minutes
Nearly a try from nowhere for Matias Moroni! The ball spills free on the All Blacks side from a ruck but a hurried flick to the right is misdirected, allowing Moroni to put his boot on it. A kind bounce is collected by the wing, who steps past Damian McKenzie and stomps on the accelerator. The veteran, more often sighted at centre, doesn’t have the gears to ease away and Jordie Barrett gets back to strip him for parts, winning both ball and penalty to spare his side’s blushes somewhat. Argentina have come to play, though!
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 4 minutes
A solid first effort with the lineout drive from New Zealand, making ten metres or so. TJ Perenara then tests the skies, Santiago Carreras tracking the flight nicely even in the breeze and taking in a composed manner. He is quick introduced to the surface via a stiff shoulder from an All Black chaser.
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 3 minutes
Argentina threaten from the lineout, too, but Ardie Savea matches Juan Martin Gonzalez in a battle of strength, forcing him into touch. The two number eightts are among the most freakish athletes in world rugby - their duel could be lots of fun today.
Sam Darry takes Codie Taylor’s throw, and Argentina are offside in midfield, allowing the All Blacks an easy clearance of their lines.
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 2 minutes
What a start from Argentina! Santiago Carreras makes a half-break and connects with Matias Moroni, requiring a retreating Beauden Barrett to get back and prevent Mateo Carreras taking his wing colleague’s potential try-assisting offload.
Sharp scrambling from Barrett, but the Pumas look full of energy and invention.
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 1 minute
Mark Tele’a and Ardie Savea get on the ball early, two of the chief tormentors of Argentina from that semi-final win this time well handled. TJ Perenara clears to just short of halfway but here come Argentina, carrying nicely in their first few phases.
KICK OFF!
The last time these two met was of course that semi-final drubbing in Paris last October. Will Argentina get any closer today? We are underway in Wellington!
New Zealand vs Argentina
Two lovely renditions of the anthems done and dusted, and into formation New Zealand slide for the haka. TJ Perenara is back to lead it, the scrum half having overcome that worrying-looking knee injury from the first Test against England.
New Zealand vs Argentina match officials
Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Aus) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Aus)
New Zealand vs Argentina
The Cake Tin isn’t close to full to the rim, but there’s a decent crowd in Wellington, where it is cold and a little windy. Classic Wellington conditions, really.
South Africa have made an early statement of Rugby Championship intent - will the All Blacks do likewise?
Team news - Argentina
Pablo Matera takes the reins for Argentina with Julian Montoya recovering from a rib injury. Ignacio Ruiz is the beneficiary of his skipper’s absence at hooker while old-stager Agustin Creevy provides highly-experienced back-up; at the other end of the age spectrum on the bench, young lock Efrain Elias is set for a debut after an impressive U20 World Cup campaign in South Africa. Matias Moroni shifts to the wing as Lucio Cinti comes in to the midfield.
Argentina XV: 1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 3 Eduardo Bello; 4 Franco Molina, 5 Pedro Rubiolo; 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez; 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Santiago Carreras; 11 Mateo Carreras, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Matias Moroni; 15 Juan Cruz Mallia.
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Efrain Elias, 20 Tomas Lavanini, 21 Joaquin Oviedo; 22 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 23 Tomas Albornoz.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments