The Wallabies have exploited a dominant scrum in to score a 16-10 win over Argentina in their Rugby Championship Test in Brisbane.
The Wallabies have scrummaged their way to a 16-10 Rugby Championship victory over Argentina, with halfback Will Genia calling the shots in his Brisbane Test farewell.
The Japan-bound Queensland favourite handed Australia just their fifth win from the past 17 Tests and was cheered off after his 60-minute stint at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Argentina replied to Reece Hodge’s first-half try with six minutes to play to make it a six-point game, but the hosts controlled the ball from then on to eliminate any prospect of an agonising defeat.
Missed opportunities would have again frustrated coach Michael Cheika, but an improved defence and dominant set piece were both promising signs just three Tests out from September’s World Cup.
The Wallabies had their line crossed five tries in South Africa last weekend, but an improved defensive effort held the Pumas at bay until Facundo Isa scored after an 11-strong lineout drive.
In another encouraging sign five-eighth Christian Lealiifano was solid over his 51-minute contribution after starting in place of Bernard Foley while props James Slipper and Taniela Tupou both dominated after coming off the bench for Scott Sio and Sekope Kepu.
However, James O’Connor barely got a touch in his first Test action since 2013 after he centre Tevita Kuridrani with 10 minutes remaining.
Early on, Australia’s tardiness at the breakdown cost them twice when they were within striking distance, while frequent dropped ball also undermined their attack for a second straight weekend.
Yet Argentina’s ball security was no better, with the visitors blowing a try-scoring chance in the 26th minute.
Departing Reds captain Samu Kerevi put on one last show at his favourite stadium, but was denied a try assist when Kuridrani shelled an offload.
Fortunately Reece Hodge was more clinical when he had an opportunity to finish off a key attacking foray in the first half after fellow winger Marika Koroibete broke the line before the ball headed to the right flank.
Hodge wasn’t helped by a floated pass from Kurtley Beale but he coolly collected the transfer and stepped inside a defender before diving over.
The relief was palpable among a crowd of 31,599 who then enjoyed the Wallabies securing a spate of scrum penalties, a welcome development after Australia’s long-term scrummaging woes.
RedsFanInSyd
Roar Rookie
I guess I am saying Argentina dropped a lot of ball when not under pressure.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
I actually watched every single Brumbies game this year. There is no doubting he puts his all in, you can see it in his face. However he has minimal contribution to the breakdown and tackling is very poor. According to Fox Sports lab- of 172 tackles he missed 44. He has the highest rate of missed tackles in the whole of the Brumbies and the lowest tackle efficiency (75%). He is a guy with the right attitude but genetically not gifted in the way Hooper or Pocock is.
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Cant agree. You clearly haven't watched him play much. He gives 100 percent and filled big shoes admirably.
Ulrich
Roar Rookie
Argentina are desperately in need of some rest. That is for sure.
Ulrich
Roar Rookie
Case in point, super rugby Lions and Crusaders. Lions were a good team with maybe 1 world class player in Marx. Crusaders have class in spades.
Ulrich
Roar Rookie
To be fair give the BIL 4 years together to build as all intl sides have and you'd be very hard pressed to beat them. They will in all likelihood be at the top 1 & 2 positions in the world on the IRB ladder.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Fionn You and I both know that the ABs win only most games that they play, but every game that they need to.
Stu
Roar Rookie
Nothing to see here, other than two rubbish teams going at it. The Perth Kiwi match will be the tonic we need, good or otherwise - let's hope good!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Interesting, cos they look typically rusty for the second test out. I guess with four Super rugby sides in the quarters, eventual winners, you'd have to think that the combined effort will logically be stronger than the others, given time. Thats what they haven't had a lot of yet. Theres no 'aura', no special elixir, theres simply a proven higher standard of players to select from if Super rugby is any guide, all else being equal, and its been made crystal clear that winning the RC isnt priority, and experimenting conitinues. At face value, surely the current situation, results, errors, are explained perfectly logically by the statements coming out of the camp?
Scoob
Roar Rookie
Like they do playing Super Rugby ? Argies had a massive month.
Scoob
Roar Rookie
Good point, its been a big month for Argies. We will see this weekend how we go with NZ, im still not confident we have become world beaters over 1 game. Should be a better test and help show where we stand in terms of the WC.
PeterK
Roar Guru
from what I have seen he is
PeterK
Roar Guru
Rolano - The neat run around is what I call the wrap around in point 2. I did say this is what his variety is 99% of the time. He did use the the cross field kick to Folau but without Folau doesn't anymore.
taylorman
Roar Guru
One, they’re not invincible…who’s saying they are? Theyve lost at least once every year bar 2013 in the pro era, so if folks are running around saying theyre invincible then theyre not really up with the play. Two, the rush defence has been around for a while now, as is pressuring NZ into making mistakes. Oz did it as far back as the semi in 03, the Lions did it in 2017, though it didn’t give them the series, so theres nothing new there. SA rued some chances yes but are we saying there’s were nothing to do with AB pressure yet the 7 dropped passes that I saw (at least) were? You can’t have it both ways. Both sides made errors, both were under pressure, and believe it or not, both were rusty, and experimental, yet only SA rued chances? Dont think it works like that. A i the end were fortunate to nab the draw, and couldnt win with a minute to go. I’d suggest a lot of that will be fixed by the time Perth rolls around but I agree, pressure the ABs and they’ll make mistakes, that has lately been probably 5 times out of every 6 losses the reason they usually drop matches. Saying it and doing it is not so easy. And I’ll give you another possible outcome in Perth. the ABs could get their selection right and cane the Wallabies, something you will be only too familiar with i the last few years. Abs will learn more form their Wellington match than the Wallabies will from the Argie match. Regardless, Its great to see the Wallabies winning again, and look forward to Perth. Their past two results make it tricky to evaluate with all the variables around. Be interesting if Cheika thinks CLL is the default no. 10 now, I dont think he does.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Nobody says it was simple but the All Blacks were clearly pressured into mistakes and I think South Africa failed to capitalise on a few opportunities that could have seen them win the game. The aura of invincibility is starting to fade.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Maddocks simply cannot defend. Someone put up tackling stats a couple of months ago, Maddocks was tackling at approximately 30%!!!!!!! There is no way he is making it onto the field
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
ABs don't have that same aura about them this year. It's impressive they do so well with what seem like some average form players
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Thoughts in whether hunt will get a crack? Based on his efforts in sky blue I wonder if Cheika will recall him as a centre back up option? Obviously JoC would have to be front runner but I think hunt would be a great squad member
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Hodge under high ball? Not sure if he'd be any better than Beale...
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes, we know that. And we interpret that as something that will be fixed with more tests together, because it always is. All I’m saying is it isn’t that simple.