The Wallabies’ miserable tour has ended with a historic 21-17 loss to Argentina in Mendoza.
Australia squandered an early 14-0 advantage to hand the Pumas their first-ever Rugby Championship win in front of a delirious crowd at Estadio Malvinos Argentinos on Saturday night (Sunday morning AEDT).
The humbling defeat came after a week of turmoil in Australia’s ranks, with the Wallabies reeling from Kurtley Beale’s in-flight run-in with management staff, a monster travel schedule and several injuries.
MORE:
>> Wallabies vs Argentina live blog
>> Sloppy Wallabies woes continue in Mendoza
Little went right on the pitch after the Wallabies’ flying start, with tries in the opening 14 minutes to centre Tevita Kuridrani and No.8 Scott Higginbotham.
Halfback Nick Phipps and flanker and captain Michael Hooper were both sin-binned in the second half as the inspired Pumas reeled in Australia’s early point-a-minute lead to record a rousing win.
The loss was Australia’s first to Argentina since 1997 and left the Wallabies with just narrow wins over the Pumas and the Springboks, and a draw with the All Blacks to show from their Rugby Championship campaign.
The Pumas, though, are celebrating their first Rugby Championship win after three years and 18 Tests against the southern hemisphere giants.
The Wallabies opened the scoring with a fine counter-attacking try in the fourth minute.
Hooper intercepted and raced 30 metres before quick recycling and spreading of the ball out the backline to Kuridrani put the in-form centre over.
Revelling in his first Test start since 2012, Higginbotham cashed in on short ball from hooker Saia Fainga’a to dive over next to the posts in the 14th minute.
Five-eighth Bernard Foley’s twin conversions gave the Wallabies a 14-0 lead.
But the match turned after the Wallabies lost classy midfielder Matt Toomua to concussion on the half hour.
Argentina roared back into the contest with a try by big No.8 Leonardo Senatore shortly after and a penalty goal just before halftime to flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez.
Leading 14-8 at halftime, Australia were soon down to 14 men for the first time when Phipps was dismissed for a professional foul.
Sanchez and Foley traded penalty goals before the Pumas capitalised on Phipps’ absence with a try to winger Juan Imhoff from a scrum win inside the Australian quarter.
Sanchez’s sideline conversion set up a tense final 20 minutes.
The fervent Argentina fans seemed to have even more to cheer about when, after Phipps returned to the action, referee Nigel Owens issued a yellow card to Wallabies fullback Israel Folau for tackling counterpart Joaquin Tuculet in the air.
But after watching a replay on the big screen, Owens reversed the decision, saving Australia from being a player short for another 10 minutes in the desperately tight second half.
The reprieve helped, but Foley missed two penalty goal attempts, including one sitter that hit the upright, inside the last 10 minutes.
Hooper ended the night in the bin after being dispatched for what the referee deemed a clumsy aerial challenge on Truculet.
Sanchez had the final say with a late penalty goal before fireworks were unleashed in Mendoza to mark the historic victory.
Loosey
Guest
Holy sh%t
Chivas
Guest
Wasn't what you were saying when Deans was coach.
Mielie
Guest
Can you imagine what the Wobbilies would have to say if the were kicked out of a WC QF by a ref like Bryce Lawrence? And, with regards to the loss to the Wobbilies, Steyn received more flack for not finding touch than what the ref received for Habana's yellow.
etienne marais
Guest
I notice Autralia is now officially 4th on the IRB rankings behind England.
Keith of WA
Guest
wtf!! the fans of EITHER side would have a say..... duh!
wardad
Guest
Yes but just because yer paranoid deesnt mean theyre not planning something .....
wardad
Guest
Kudos to the Argies on the win , feel sorry for the Aussies I really prefer them all cocky like pre RWC2011 makes games more interesting . Much as I hated losing to the Aussies those teams led by the likes of Eales were great to watch and sweeter for the win !
Loosey
Guest
Is a shoulder to the head a high shot?
Loosey
Guest
Lebanese decent? Or are you a Lebanese citizen, born, raised and living in Lebanon with a Lebanese accent and attitude? If so than you could compare yourself to the White and Deans situation, otherwise no. A national team is meant to be a product of that nation, if a nation can produce a national coach, than it should.
Loosey
Guest
They'd be new shoes as usual
Loosey
Guest
Nothing wrong with Link mate, it's the rubbish he has to deal with (the people pulling the strings)
Loosey
Guest
Well done Pumas, hopefully it's just the start of things of the Argies.
soapit
Guest
mike i'd be surprised if you werent old enough to try to avoid resorting to insulting people you disagree with.
soapit
Guest
the french can do that week to week. we're not french. ewen will stay to the world cup as planned
soapit
Guest
soapit
Guest
so back to where we were
soapit
Guest
rubbish. league has it sorted now and is way ahead of rugby. there is benefit of the doubt. there was doubt therefore it went against the attacking team. not using the words doesnt mean it doesnt exist.
soapit
Guest
pretty sure if someone did that security would be able to find them soon enough
Xiedazhou
Guest
If thats so, then why wasn't the contact with AAc's head penalised? He was taken down with a high shot, and then had the ball pilfered by an Argentine player who used his hands whilst he was lying on the ground. This was perhaps a pivotal moment in the match. Its a bit rich to have Kiwi fans lecturing the Australianfans on manning up and not blaming the ref for a sorely felt loss, when their moaning about the ref is of world standards whenever their beloved AIG's lose. For goodness sake one only has to refer to their posts after Bledisloe 1, which was a draw, to know that the Kiwi can't profess to take the high ground on this matter.
Common Sense
Guest
What's your point, he made contact with the oppositions head = high shot.