The Wallabies have avenged their 2014 defeat to Argentina, notching back-to-back wins in the Rugby Championship, by beating the Pumas by 25 points.
However it was a patchy Australian performance, one that left them with plenty to work on in the weeks ahead. The Wallabies defence was solid, not conceding a single try, but they gave away needless penalties.
They again had more goal-kicking dramas and were helped by an ordinary Argentine display in Mendoza. The bloated end scoreline of 34-9 didn’t accurately reflect the evening’s play on the whole.
The green and gold made several changes from the Springboks victory, some through injury, with the likes of Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley and Matt Toomua starting. Greg Holmes, David Pocock and Ben McCalman were also in.
The Wallabies started the game positively, moving the ball from wing to wing as they probed for space. The frenzied Argentine defence was just enough to keep the Aussies out early.
Then Israel Folau hit the Pumas winger in the air after a Foley bomb, when the Wallabies already had a penaltyadvantage their way, and the referee revered his decision. It was more clumsy than malicious from Folau but discipline would prove to an issue for Australia throughout the match.
Toomua was forced off after eight minutes with another head knock, another 12 dropping after Matt Giteau was injured last weekend. Somewhat surprisingly Michael Cheika went with Quade Cooper as Toomua’s replacement, not Waratahs inside centre Kurtley Beale.
The first try was one of the easiest you’ll ever seen. The Pumas kicked to Folau, he ran to the left wing and two passes later Joe Tomane strolled over. Argentina’s kick chase was atrocious.
Foley missed the conversion from out wide and he would have more problems with the tee.
The Pumas were dominating the scrum but their ball-handling was poor, as well their re-starts and cruelled several chances.
The Wallabies were making inroads with the ball in hand but kept giving away penalties, which the home team gleefully accepted. Foley finally nailed a kick at goal, a minute before half-time, but the visitors gave away another stupid penalty to set the score at 8-6 at the break.
Australia had been given a mountain of possession in the first 40 minutes but frustratingly didn’t transfer this to the scoreboard.
Pocock was making a nusiance of himself at the breakdown and winning plenty of ball.
The Wallabies took their lead to 11-6 right after a halftime with a Foley penalty right in front. On 53 minutes he made it 14-6, but then Sanchez pulled it back to 14-9 four minutes later.
Then it was up to subsitute Dean Mumm for one of his best-ever moments in an Australian shirt. Loitering out on the wing, the lock beat three defenders and dragged a few more over the line to score a sensational try.
Michael Hooper’s pass to Mumm was slightly forward but the Wallabies got away with it. The five-pointer gave the Wallabies some breathing space.
On 65 minutes cyncial play from Cooper, with a high tackle on a player who had kicked the ball, was rightly punished with a yellow card. Stupidty from the Queenslander who show know better.
But Argentina couldn’t use properly their man advantage and the Aussies scrambled well in defence. The likes of Scott Sio, Mumm and Hooper had a good impact off the pine.
Three minutes before the end and Tevita Kuridrani crossed after a lovely Foley offload. And the Wallabies got their fourth try, as Argentina completely collapsed, when Folau found Beale who offloaded to Adam Ashley-Cooper to touch down.
Ashley-Cooper was a passenger in the game, apart from his try, and Cooper largely had a forgettable night. Folau was again a menace, unlocking the Pumas’ defence at will.
A victory was important and gives them some confidence for the key matches ahead.
But the All Blacks will look at the Wallabies’ poor discipline and average goal-kicking and lick their lips. The Kiwis won’t be as accomodating as the Argentines in a fortnight.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Zero Gain
Guest
He will play in the RWC in the most important games so keep dreaming.
Terry Kidd
Guest
QC had an off night because he cannot play the way the team is trying to play ..... he is standing too deep and going too lateral too early, he does not commit and pin the defence, he gives the defence time to drift and close down any threat. Everyone else in the backline is trying to go straight but QC by his actions closes down his own runners. His kicking has been entirely forgettable. He should have played his last test.
pick & go..!!
Guest
"Am I being too negative?" Yes you are "That was the real Boks. The genuine All Blacks. They both played to a standard we can expect to see at the RWC. They’re streets ahead of the WBs. Entire blocks ahead." With your comments you would think The Wallabies lost both games.. Streets & entire blocks ahead? Wallabies are currently sitting on top of the championship..!!
Woodsman
Guest
While I agree Quade had a forgettable night, his card was a team yellow if I've ever seen one. The ref even referenced all the other uncarded offences as he reached for his pocket. Wonder how you would've worded it if Izzy went off for his arse headbutt in the air?
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
It's always said that if you can win whilst not playing your best football, you're in good stead. Of course you have to put that in context as they come up against one of the best sporting sides of all time.
Demers
Guest
A patchy Australian performance? It was a terrible Australian performance. The Pumas (what happened to the blue and white strip? Must everybody try to look like the ABs?) turned in one of the most toothless games in the short history of the RC. The first try they let in, to Tomane, was the dumbest you'll see for a long time. As for putting Quade in at 12, what a strange decision. On that outing he should take the Toulon offer because he may not make the sevens squad for Rio. What a contrast to the Boks - ABs game. That was the real Boks. The genuine All Blacks. They both played to a standard we can expect to see at the RWC. They're streets ahead of the WBs. Entire blocks ahead. Going forward, the WBs are facing two defeats against NZ, an exhibition against the Eagles in Chicago, then it's straight into the cauldron - a toughie against Fiji at Millenium, a nothing run against Uruguay, who are even worse than the Pumas, then certain defeat against England and probable defeat against Wales. Am I being too negative? Nope. It's just not our year. Too many mediocre players, not near enough team talent.