‘Have a crack’: The story behind Paenga-Amosa's stunning Wallabies try

Wallabies rake Brandon Paenga-Amosa has shared some insight into his memorable try in the 27-21 win over Los Pumas last weekend, explaining how attacking freedom and “individual brilliance” made it possible.

Paenga-Amosa crashed over for the opening points in the Flight Centre Series fixture in Jujuy, benefiting from some clever eyes-up footy from scrum-half Ryan Lonergan and a quartet of forwards down the blindside.

Lonergan found openside flanker Fraser McReight, who shovelled the ball onto Jeremy Williams with some quick hands. Los Pumas defenders put on some big shots but the Wallabies kept the play alive, with Josh Canham making a break down the left edge.

Williams got the ball for a second time in the phase, drawing in three Pumas defenders and delivering the final pass to Paenga-Amosa. It was some a seventh minute score that set the tone, with the Wallabies adding more points to their score soon after.

“We just saw if off the cuff,” Paenga-Amosa told reporters.

“We’re always encouraged to actually see the picture, go for it, have a crack.

“We looked up and it was literally four of us, I think it was myself, Fraser [McReight, Canham and [Williams], ad we’re calling out to [Ryan Lonergan] to come down the blind and we’re up against three backs; it was four forwards against three backs.

“There was some individual brilliance and I’m glad that we got to finish it in the end.”

Canham and Williams impressed in the six-point triumph, with both locks stepping up as reliable lineout targets once again. It was a return to the Test arena for Canham, who missed the 56-17 victory against Japan in Townsville.

USA-born Canham became the first Wallabies lock to score a hat-trick, when the men in gold claimed a dominant result against Italy in July. Williams was the most experienced lock selected for the Nations Championship Tests, and he continues to lead the way.

Hookers Josh Nasser, Billy Pollard and Paenga-Amosa have all found success at lineout time, which has emerged as a strength of the Wallabies this season. As Paenga-Amosa explained, “having confident locks” has been a real positive for the side.

“We’re blessed in that aspect that all of our locks have the ability to call really well and operate a good lineout,” Paenga-Amosa said.

“[Canham has] done a really good job since coming on the scene and all the boys back him and have full confidence in him.”

Australia are looking to sweep the two-Test series in Argentina 2-0, but the challenge that awaits will be nothing short of fierce. The Wallabies were in the same position two years ago, up 1-0 in that series, but the second match told a different story.

Los Pumas ran away with a comprehensive 67-27 victory in Santa Fe in early September 2024, and the Wallabies expect another mighty response from the home side when they meet again on Sunday morning (AEST).

“The last two times we’ve come here, we’ve done really well the first game and essentially not so well in the second,” he added.

“We know the challenge that’s in front of us but for us, we now what we’ve got to do, we know our strengths and we understand what’s coming.

“I know that as a squad we’re going to step up to the plate and give our best performance that we can.”