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The Wallabies started their clash last night with the Pumas in Perth as if it was a ODI, piling on 21 unanswered points in the first 12 minutes, with dynamic halfback Will Genia directing traffic.
Centre Samu Kerevi started the spree with a try at the 43-second mark, seven minutes later it was winger Dane Haylett-Petty touching down, with Genia adding to the momentum with the first of his double.
More of the wash-up from Wallabies vs Argentina:
» Pocock sidelined by broken hand
» Five talking points
» What changes should the Wallabies make?
» DIY Player ratings
» Read the full match report
» Watch all the highlights
Bernard Foley add the extras, but that was just about the last time the Wallabies saw the ball.
For the next 27 minutes the Pumas virtually owned possession and territory – 73 per cent of the former, 76 per cent of the latter – with the added bonus of an 11-2 penalty count.
Yet the Wallabies led 21-6 at the break thanks to tremendous defence, not just from the normal suspects, but the entire team. All 15 chipped in time after time.
Wallaby defence coach Nathan Grey must have been ecstatic, with 30-40 missed tackles the go in previous games.
The Pumas understandably became very frustrated, pushing passes and making wrong decisions.
Bit by bit,the Wallabies fought their way back to halve possession and territory to take the second session 16-14 on the way to five tries to two and a bonus point to be second on the Rugby Championship table with nine points, but well adrift of the All Blacks’ 20.
Genia was my man of the match for the second successive game, but there were many other outstanding Wallaby performances.
Quade Cooper showed his x-factor brilliance with two perfectly timed inside passes
to send Haylett-Petty and Michael Hooper in for tries.
The one blot on Cooper’s game was a yellow card for taking out a Poma with a shoulder charge, and no possession.
Up front giant lock Adam Coleman was a tower of strength.
Not only did he call the lineouts, but he attacked and defended like a man on a mission – his 14 tackles were only beaten by Hooper’s 16.
In those long minutes defending, reinstated lock Rob Simmons made 13 tackles, with skipper Stephen Moore and prop Sekope Kepu sharing 11.
The Wallaby lineout was strong, winning all ten of their feeds, and two of the Pumas, while the scrum held its own against the renowned Puma pack.
Out the back there wasn’t a weak Wallaby link, until Nick Phipps replaced Genia late in the game.
Israel Folau is the best in the world under the high ball, but he’s becoming increasingly frustrated at not seeing enough ball to show his undoubted attacking talent.
I’d like to see more of Folau trailing inside Cooper – Folau’s a far better finisher than Haylett-Petty or Hooper, but they both scored without any trouble.
So where to from here for the Wallabies on the improve?
Perth was the Wallabies’ last home game.
The next eight are on the road with the Boks at Loftus, the Pumas at Twickenham, and the All Backs at hoodoo Eden Park before the Spring tour.
But there are still some unanswered questions.
Why is the skipper Stephen Moore replaced so early every week?
Why was David Pocock replaced before half-time?
When will Lopeti Timani be in the starting line-up at No 8?
Who will be Adam Coleman’s permanent lock partner out of Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, and Rory Arnold – or will Michael Cheika keep them guessing?
How does the impressive Sean McMahon fit into Cheika’s plans?
And when will Cheika dispense with Nick Phipps altogether?
In the meantime it’s great to see the Wallabies win back-to-back playing the type of rugby they know best.