The Wallabies have closed out their Rugby Championship campaign in style, blitzing the Pumas either side of half time to set up an unassailable lead, before holding off a spirited late challenge to prevail 32-17.
It was a hat trick to Andrew Kellaway – who struck in the 33rd, 53rd and 57th minutes – that proved the difference, but there were plenty of Wallabies who did the jersey proud in the last home game of the season.
The win gives the Wallabies four consecutive victories to close out the Rugby Championship – the first time they’ve done so in history.
Coming up an understrength Pumas side by virtue of an ill-fated day trip to Byron Bay locking several key players out of Queensland, the Wallabies didn’t have it all their own way in a dour first half.
Emiliano Boffelli had the first chance for points with a penalty kick, but he missed the kick wide despite taking plenty of time to prepare.
Quade Cooper also had a left-side miss from a penalty kick a few minutes later, but a scrum penalty soon after gave Cooper a second chance that he was never going to waste.
The scoreboard attendants had little to do in the first half, however, with neither side able to generate much in the way of good scoring chances. Both sides were happy to play a cagey game and kick for territory frequently – and were both frequently plagued by poor kicks and subsequent lineout errors.
But the Wallabies were given a golden chance close to the half-hour mark and they took full advantage.
Pumas lock Thomas Lavanini was shown the yellow card by referee Jaco Peyper after a very early tackle on Izack Rodda while he was lifting in the lineout. He was clearly frustrated with what took place too, slapping the consoling hand of Cooper away as he left the field.
He would’ve been feeling even worse a minute later, with Folau Fainga’a able to break through for the game’s first try on the very next phase.
The icebreaker sparked something in the Wallabies and they looked a lot more threatening with the 8-0 lead at their backs.
They were able to pounce a second time with the man advantage, with Fainga’a sending Rob Valetini through the Argentina line with a great inside pass. He then handed off to set up Kellaway for his first.
Argentina managed to sustain some pressure on the Wallaby line in first-half stoppage time with multiple penalty advantages, but were eventually forced to settle for three points.
But it was the Wallabies who’d regain the momentum early in the second half. Having been instructed to “put the foot on the throat” by Dan McKellar in the half time break, the Wallabies did just that after a superb dummy from Cooper softened the Pumas defence and allowed Samu Kerevi to continue his fine run of form with a try.
Then, it was time for Kellaway to really turn the screw with a quick double to complete his hat trick.
He did the hard yards for the first, selling a beautiful dummy to part the blue and white sea and cross close to the corner.
The hat trick try came from more great ball use off the lineout, with the real highlight being Len Ikitau’s sublime no-look pass behind the back to set it up.
Down 32-3, the Pumas could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel – but they continued to fight.
Thomas Gallo came off the bench to get one back for the nominal home side just past the hour mark.
Then, with ten minutes remaining, Gallo was in again – although his second proved controversial after commentators felt he’d been held up over the line.
The reduced lead gave the Wallabies some pause for thought as the match wound down, but they had to poise to clean up their act and keep the margin intact.
Argentina – 17
Australia – 32
Pumas: Gallo 2 (62′, 71′)
Wallabies: Kellaway 3 (33′, 53′, 57′), Fainga’a (26′), Kerevi (42′)
Pumas: Boffelli 2/2 (63′, 71′)
Wallabies: Cooper 2/4 (34′, 55′)
Pumas: Boffelli 1/2 (41′)
Wallabies: Cooper 1/2 (9′)
Rhys
Roar Rookie
He played well at 12 before, eg. vs Wales in 2016 and with the Wallaby game plan relatively suited to him that’s what spruiked the suggestion. I think in Melbourne he was stifled in a poor backline that misfired off the back of some clueless Wessels coaching. He’s a better player than some are suggesting. Still, I’ll leave it up to DR, especially as he’s settling into FB and has some attributes that make that position a suitable one for him.
Chester B
Roar Rookie
I like this suggestion. Hodge has the size and skills to play at 12 or 13. He makes a decent fist of 15 but I personally would like to see him have a go in midfield.
Chester B
Roar Rookie
I can see Bell trending towards being a Sekope Kepu like player with good scrummaging but with the skills/running game of a back rower.
Chester B
Roar Rookie
I do remember feeling underwhelmed with Kellaway when he was at the Tahs. Back then, I would never have predicted he would become so good now. Aust players often need a bit more time to consolidate their game as they don’t get as much high level playing experience as say the kiwi players at the same age. Ben Darwin has noted this previously as being a big difference in the Super rugby TT.
Chester B
Roar Rookie
We have quite a few wingers, Tom Wright was very good and we still have Suliasi to come on top of Petaia, Dungunu. Kellaway at 15 would help improve our counter attack. When Cooper went off and JOC replaced him, the counter attack fell apart as he tried to do too much. Hodge is ok at 15 but unfortunately for him, I still think he is best suited as a utility for the Wallabies. I like his game but the backline needs a top fullback to make it world class imho.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
On what basis? Hard to argue against assertions.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
He gave away the penalty for obstruction, true. The "missed tackle" - the forwards left him completely alone on the tryline trying to defend a front rower on a pick and drive. Tate or White would have been no more successful, that was on the big blokes failing to post up properly. Other than that, his passing was fine, he was where he needed to be and he had a couple of snipes.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
I think Petaia roaming showed a bit last night how good he could go at 15. He would be a real handful for oppositions on kick returns. But as you say give him a run in that position in SR, same for Kellaway.
PeterK
Roar Guru
only 2 penalties
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
Maybe they should have played with 14 in the last 20min like when MK was sent of with a red card in the French test. They had a better structure then. :silly:
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Interesting, I thought Hodge was bigger than that on the listings. Simone is a big body, would be great for him to be a bit stronger in contact. Perese gives the most similar Kerevi role offensively but it will probably be Paisami who gets the nod. He will really need that leg drive, hopefully Tuilagi isn't selected by England.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
I'm pretty sure he had two for coming in from the side & one for not staying on his feet plus a team caution. For an individual that is YC worthy. He was called out other times by Jaco, very lucky not to be penalised on those occasions. If it was Phillip/Swinton doing those infringements people would be talking about it?
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
Hodge is listed at 94kg, although I think he's probably heavier than that. Paisami 90, Paia'ua? Sorry probably spelled wrong 91, Perese 92 and Simone 102 aren't really giving away much in size. With Banks out Hodge is our only real fullback option unless Campbell gets called into the squad, JoC isn't as good a runner as the other 4 options and either JoC or Hodge should be on the bench as the utility. Paisami hasn't been playing great, I really think if Kerevi isn't fit then Simone or Perese should get a shot. But I really hope Kerevi is fit by the time we tour.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Impossible to say. He was only 20-22 at the Tahs. Whose to say he didn’t just need time to mature himself To me he always had something. They should have worked harder to keep him instead of Cam Clark or recruiting John Folau.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Yeah, He sounded a bit like Gladys then.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
True, the Rebel backline was dire in general. Amazing Kellaway managed to show anything in it. I think though not having to play make from 12 with QC and Ikitau in and outside would better suit him though. As he’s direct and a bigger body, which the WB game plan has played to, that is something the other options don’t fully provide. But the step down from Kerevi is real, at this stage, the other options are very raw and need more time to develop. Paisami particularly could fill this void but his ball retention will need to be much better than he showed vs ABs
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yeah Perese and Paisami are similar moulds imo. I doubt Simone will get a go as much as I like him because we’ll need less of a playmaking 12 and more of a direct runner. With Quade at 10 and Ikitau popping up at first receiver last night a few times I could see Paisami or indeed Perese having less weight of expectations and be able to underplay their hand a bit more to just be a direct ball running threat. However, I worry about their size for that role which was why the Hodge suggestion as he’s bigger and direct. Regardless, let’s all hope Kerevi is okay (even if it seems a long shot) because the step down is real, our other options are still raw and need more time to develop at SR level.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yes I thought it’d be Paisami in reality who will get selected at 12 but the WBs have looked decent with a bigger body at 12 hence the suggestion with hodge. Paisami won’t have Lolesio inside though so that hopefully would help him
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Absolutely. Whilst the circumstances when he came on were different to when White and QC played it is clear Joc is a bit behind Quade as our 10.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yes I think the injuries were a bit unlucky as you can’t adequately account for so many at the selection table. Still, I reckon it’s clearer now our best iteration and doubt we’ll see some players on the eoyt eg. Lonergan, Holmes