The Australian national team defeated the Argentine Pumas this Saturday at home by 41-26 (partial 10-19) on the first date of the Rugby Championship that was played at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza.
In front of some 40,000 spectators, Australia played from low to high and reversed a first half in deficit with a very good second half and a final twenty minutes at full steam to return to victory after losing in the recent international series against England.
Argentina was better at the beginning, with solid defensive work and the effectiveness of Emiliano Boffelli to take distances and close the first 40 minutes in front by nine points.
– Great Australian reaction –
But Australia, who lost their captain Michael Hooper a few hours before the match for personal reasons, reacted in the second half in which they carried the weight of the match and took ahead a South American formation that failed to maintain the intensity of the beginning against a rival that overwhelmed in the final stretch with a dynamic and powerful game.
The Wallabies also suffered an injury to fly half Quade Cooper, who left the field with a severe left ankle injury.
The Wallabies’ points were scored with tries by Jordan Petaia (18′) converted by Quade Cooper, and by Fraser McReight (47′), Folau Fainga’a (70′), and Len Ikitau (80+5′) converted by Reece Hodge and a penalty try (61′), plus penalties from Cooper (10′) and Hodge (65′).
Argentina scored two tries, by Pablo Matera (6′) and Juan Martín González (55′), both converted by Emiliano Boffelli, who also converted four penalties (12′, 16′, 22′, 40′), while Matías Alemanno was reprimanded (62′) in the penalty try play for the visit.
Argentines and Australians will meet again on the second date of the Rugby Championship next Saturday in San Juan.
