Australia claim Rugby Championship comeback win over Argentina
Australia scored five second-half tries to come from behind and secure their first win of this season’s Rugby Championship as Argentina were beaten 45-20 in Canberra on Saturday.
The hosts, who drew with South Africa last time out after leading by 10 points, made it 14 victories from their last 15 games against the South Americans, who again surrendered a half-time lead to remain winless in the competition.
Martin Landajo’s 23rd-minute try capped a promising start from Argentina, but Israel Folau broke a six-Test scoring drought as Australia levelled it up by the half-hour mark.
His score, which capped a fine move, came at the end of a week in which the 28-year-old sparked a heated Twitter debate by revealing he would not support gay marriage in Australia.
Michael Cheika’s men were behind at the break following Nicolas Sanchez’s penalty, but Sekope Kepu’s converted try shifted the contest back in their favour and Folau doubled his tally to put the home side in the driving seat.
Argentina’s woes worsened when Will Genia profited from a strong Wallabies scrum to dart over the line, while Nick Phipps touched down at the end of a rapid break.
A fine piece of solo play from Matias Moroni provided late consolation for the away side, but even that scant joy was tempered by Jordan Uelese’s score, which sealed a bonus point.
FULL TIME – @qantaswallabies produce a dominant second half to record a bonus point win over @lospumas#AUSvARGhttps://t.co/P2qFaihEVP pic.twitter.com/vVP32LK7h0
— TheRugbyChampionship (@SanzarTRC) September 16, 2017
The hosts forged ahead through Bernard Foley’s sixth-minute penalty, with Sanchez splitting the posts at the other end.
Argentina applied huge pressure as they went through the phases in Australia’s 22, with Landajo touching down and Sanchez converting.
But the Wallabies’ response was swift and decisive as a flowing move that swept first from right to left and then back again was finished in the corner by Folau.
Emiliano Boffelli then proved wayward with a penalty attempt, but Sanchez had no such problem in kicking the visitors back ahead before the interval.
Argentina led at half-time against New Zealand last week before succumbing to a 39-22 loss in New Plymouth, so coach Daniel Hourcade will not have been taking anything for granted.
HALF TIME – @lospumas lead @qantaswallabies in Canberra.#AUSvARGhttps://t.co/P2qFaihEVP pic.twitter.com/6ptawW2uED
— TheRugbyChampionship (@SanzarTRC) September 16, 2017
It was indeed Australia who made the brighter start to the second half and, after turning down the chance to kick for goal, the decision to tap and go provided a try for Kepu.
Genia’s fine pass released Folau for him to touch down for a second time in the 53rd minute, with Foley’s boot handing Cheika’s side an 11-point advantage.
Resilient work in the defence ensured a strong spell from Argentina went unrewarded just past the hour mark, with Australia beginning to scent success.
The contest was put to bed inside the final 10 minutes with Genia’s score and then a superb breakaway effort finished by Phipps.
Moroni’s skilful chip-and-chase effort briefly cut the deficit, but Australia claimed a bonus point courtesy of Uelese.
Comments on RugbyPass
What a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
40 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
41 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
41 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
41 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
40 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to comments