I’ll be signing off now. Thanks to everyone who stuck with me. Commiserations to Australian fans having watched your team ship a record number of points in a record margin of defeat. But how good must you feeling if you’re a Pumas supporter?
Angus Fontaine has the match report and I bet he’s got some harsh lines for the hapless Wallabies.
Updated
For those wondering, they play Italy, Ireland and France this Autumn.
There are a couple of Northern Hemisphere teams that should play Argentia more often
— Sacha Feinberg-Mbamezulu (@BoknRoll) September 7, 2024
It’s been a bad day for those who believe that the departure of the South African sides from Super Rugby hasn’t negatively impacted the national teams of Australia and New Zealand.
The All Blacks were formidable, but were bullied in the end. And the Wallabies were simply brutalised. Are both ecosystems missing the hard graft and heft provided by the South Africans?
I’m reading a lot of doom and gloom from Aussies on social media.
Of course there’s no way anyone can spin this into a positive, but I think we’re overlooking just how good the Pumas were. Remember they beat the All Blacks not too long ago and did so in New Zealand!
They’re no mugs and probably should have won last week’s game.
They’re further along in their development than Australia and frankly have a better team man for man. They’re a proper outfit.
Sure, Australia were wayward and looked as if they’d thrown in the towel. But I think this result should be taken in isolation rather than be viewed as a sign of regression. Even if they lose both games to the All Blacks they can still point to progress.
Is this what’s needed?
Bring in the international players. All of them. Any of them. Open the gates
— Rugby Report Card (@rugby_podcast) September 7, 2024
That all means that the Pumas have a shot at the Rugby Championship title.
No, seriously.
The bonus-point win puts them second on the table with 10 points.
That’s eight behind the Springboks but with two games against South Africa – including one on home soil – anything could happen.
It’d be one almighty upset, but you never know.
After trailing 3-20, Argentina effectively won the final 50 minutes by a score of 64-7!
Apologies to Australian fans (though I doubt any of you have stuck with me) if it seems like I’m banging on about this, but my goodness! Have you ever in your life?
It’s hard to pinpoint just one area where the Pumas bossed the Wallabies but if had to choose I’d say it was in contact.
Argentina made 780 metres from 137 carries. That’s around 5.7 metres per carry. Australia made 481 metres from 103 carries which is roughly 4.7 metres per carry.
When one team is bulldozing their way over the gainline, and the other team is not, it becomes easier to predict which team will win.
Full-time: Argentina 67-27 Australia
What an astonishing second half. I can’t quite believe it. Australia held a 20-3 lead after 23 minutes. They lead 20-17 at half-time.
But one of the great performances in Argentine history – just weeks after beating the All Blacks in New Zealand – has secured an utterly remarkable result.
TRY! Argentina 67-27 Australia (Cinti, 80+1)
Cinti gets the try he deserves and this is a record score! This was already the most points ever conceded by Australia in a Test and now it’s their largest ever margin of defeat! Incredible. What a second half of rugby from the Pumas.
Updated
80 min: They get so close! Just a metre away after superb hands – again – off the back of a line-out sees them go from one side of the pitch to the other. Instead it ends with a penalty as Kellaway – who gets shown a yellow card – prevents the score from an off-side position. So Argentina kick it out and will set a five metre line-out.
79 min: Penalty for Argentina and they hoof it to the corner. A line-out inside Australia’s 22. Can they get one more?
TRY! Argentina 60-27 Australia (Oviedo, 77)
What is going on!? This is unreal. Ovideo, a loose forward, just did an impression of Cheslin Kolbe. Once again it’s outrageous hands from the Pumas who sling it down the line like with superb accuracy. Oviedo gets it, throws a dummy, jinks round a tackler and side-steps another as he dots down in style. What a finish to this match!
TRY! Argentina 53-27 Australia (Mallia, 75)
Fifty up! A second for the full-back. Argentina are so clinical. It’s off the back of a turnover following a mighty thump on Jorgensen. Then it’s just quick hands down the line until an overlap is found and Mallia, on the support, breezes through and over. Wonderful rugby. Don’y you wish you were partying with all the Pumas fans tonight?
74 min: It’s starting to feel like an exhibition game. Both teams are running it from everywhere. Good fun. Australia have it now on the half-way line but Jorgensen is nailed and the Pumas pinch it on the deck. Can they get to 50?
TRY! Argentina 46-27 Australia (Mallia, 72)
Game over. That will surely be that and what a way to put an end to this contest. Outstanding hands down the line. My goodness isn’t Cinti some player. He stood up Koroibete and then ghosted past him. A quick pass to his right was followed by another and Mallia, who won possession a minute earlier with a catch from a high kick, keeps his boots on the right side of the whitewash to slide over the corner. The conversion is missed but that doesn’t matter. Job done.
TRY! Argentina 41-27 Australia (McDermott, 70)
Now then. That puts a cat amongst the pigeons. Perhaps not, but it’s a heck of a score from the replacement nine. Australia won the scrum penalty inside Argentina’s 22. McDermott tapped and went and kept on going, wriggling through several Pumas forwards before hammering down the ball over the line under pressure. The conversion sails over so Australia can still haul in their hosts if they keep scoring converted tries.
67 min: Albornoz has just pulled off a stunning try-saving tackle worthy of a man of the match award on its own! My goodness. That was something. Australia had the scrum feed and McDermott ran right before popping a short ball for Koroibete on the angle. The winger was clean through, steaming towards the corner. But the Argentine fly-half, who has been great, wouldn’t let him go, diving full stretch and hauling the Aussie out of touch. Wonderful.
TRY! Argentina 41-20 Australia (Oviedo, 65)
It’s a downpour! What lovely stuff from the home side. A turnover from Bello at the breakdown is swiftly ignited into a counter attack. Plenty of options down the line has Australia scrambling. A stiff carry from Cinti – a standout performer this evening – punches a hole and finds Oviedo with an off-load. He rides a tackle and continues his run, finishing with a flourishing dive. The conversion is good too.
Penalty! Argentina 34-20 Australia (Albornoz, 63)
Two converted tries the difference. That penalty, effortlessly knocked over an angle from the left, means Argentina are in cruise control.
62 min: The line-out isn’s pretty but at least the ball lands back on Argentina’s side. Australia hold firm and push the Pamas away from their 22. But an Australian – Slipper I think – doesn’t use his shoulder to make a tackle and gives away a needless penalty.
60 min: There’s been a dramatic shift in this game. Not only are Argentina holding onto the ball better, and playing through the hands with greater accuracy, but they’re monstering every carry and every tackle. They now have a line-out throw on Australia’s 22.
TRY! Argentina 31-20 Australia (Matera, 58)
Argentina are running away with it! If there’s anyone who deserves a try it’s that man. Dominance off the back of the scrum, Argentina boss every collision. Cinti makes a thunderous run that takes out three defenders. Matera picks and goes and won’t be stopped from close range. Albornoz maintains his perfect record and now there’s clear daylight between the sides.
55 min: Wilson isn’t happy but there’s no changing the decision. And Argentina win a scrum penalty. They’re simply consuming the Wallabies scrum right now. Slipper isn’t loving his record-equalling appearance so far. Argentina call for another scrum. Another penalty and we could see a card.
53 min: Williams pinches another Argentina line-out. That’s two in a row. Some kick tennis follows before Argentina run it through the middle. Matera – who is having a cracking game – gets over the gainline and there’s a penalty against Australia for that quirky rule about the position of kick chasers and the kicker himself. I can’t quite figure it all out. The headline is that Argentina have the scrum feed about five metres from Australia’s line. I reckon we’ll hear more from this incident if the Pumas score.
51 min: Donaldson lands a good touch finder after Argentina ping the ball deep in Australia’s territory. That was off the back of Bertranou hammering Jorgensen into touch and the Pumas taking the line-out quickly. The subsequent line-out is pinched by Australia but soon after the Pumas take back control as Carreras has a chance to crunch Jorgensen into touch.
TRY! Argentina 24-20 Australia (Gonzalez, 49)
Argentina take the lead! And they deserve it. A mighty scrum took the Australian pack out of the equation. Argentina recycle and go down the blindside. Wilson made a strong try-saving tackle and first but his opposite number would not be denied as he wrestled the ball over the line. The conversion take the deficit beyond a penalty.
48 min: Nasser, on for Faessler, makes a massive steal right on his own line. Argentina go quickly off the line-out with Matera providing swift service. A wonderful cut against the grain from Mallia has him crashing through the gold wall. Argentina go left and get close until Nasser rips it back onto his side. But Australia can’t find the space to kick it clear and Argentina swarm to kill the ball over the Wallabies’ try line. So it’s deemed unplayable and the Pumas get a five metre scrum feed.
46 min: Wilson picks up off the back of the scrum and makes good yards with a mighty carry. Donaldson though skews his clearing kick so Argentina will have the line-out in Australia’s 22. The Wallabies just can’t get out of their own red zone.
45 min: Outstanding maul defence from Frost who wedged himself in the morass of bodies and wrapped up Montoya. Argentina can’t get the ball out and Australia win it back for a scrum feed. That could be a massive moment.
44 min: Argentina’s pack get the rumble on and they win a scrum penalty. It’s on the angle so not necessarily a gimme kick. I think they’ll go to the corner. Yup, time for a line-out about seven out. BTW, I think Slipper was the guilty party there in that scrum.
43 min: James Slipper is on the field and becomes the joint-most capped Wallaby in history. He’ll have to bail out Koroibete after the winger knocked-on under no pressure inside his 22 while fielding a dribbling kick. Big chance for the Pumas here.
42 min: Ikitau knocks after sticking his hand out when the ball near the right touch wasn’t meant for him. That’s possibly his first mistake in two Tests. Argentina attack down the line from a secure scrum. Carreras kicks but it’s too long and Australia take the mark.
We’re back! And if the second half is anything like the first we’re in for a treat.
How good is Angus Bell?
Heating up in Santa Fe 🔥#Wallabies #TRC2024 #ARGvAUS pic.twitter.com/08LKAAPOQ5
— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 7, 2024
Half-time: Argentina 17-20 Australia
Argentina almost score after the hooter! It was a lovely move from the scrum about 40 yards back. Gonzalez peeled off and played a one-two with Bertranou before hammering three defenders in the carry. Chocobares got it on the angle and came close. But impatience – again – was their undoing as Matera attempted to dot down with a looooooong stretch of the arm but could only knock on.
A cracking half of rugby comes to an end.
I’ll be back in a bit.
39 min: A net gain for the Pumas as a bit of kick tennis ends with Koroibete hooks a clearance and Argentina have the line-out in Aussuie territory. That becomes a scrum as Williams gets up and makes a nuisance of himself but can only knock-on. One final chance to attack in this first half.
TRY! Argentina 17-20 Australia (Montoya, 38)
On his 100th cap he gets a try! What a moment for Montoya. Argentina had the penalty within touching distance of the try line. They choose to tap and go. Two phases later the skipper crashes over from close range. The extras means it’s a 14 point swing and now a three point game.
37 min: Rather than maul they go with variety as Matera breaks and goes on his own. Nothing doing so they go again. Montoya, Gallo, all the big boys are taking shots. Then down the hands where they’re looking for an edge. They have an advantage but not enough accuracy in the backline so they’ll go again from a penalty five metres out.
36 min: Australia can’t secure clean ball from the line-out around Argentina’s 22 and now they’re defending on their own 22. Argentina are moving the ball so quickly. If only they could hold on for longer spells! They’ll get a chance to attack from a line-out 10 metres out after Australia get it wrong at the breakdown and give away a penalty.
34 min: Gallo knock-on in contact from a big hit by Wilson. Australia kick ahead and Mallia cleans up. He dots down in his in-goal area but instead of dropping long he takes a sneaky little grubber to himself and almost makes a proper mess of things. In the end he’s lucky to bundle out a kick around his own 22.
TRY! Argentina 10-20 Australia (M Carreras, 31)
They hit straight back with a beauty of their own! It began with Mallia leaping to secure a high kick and keep the attack moving. Matera then held firm as he carried two tacklers with him into Australia’s 22 and had the strength to off-load over the shoulder for the onrushing Carreras who sliced through the line to score under the poles. The conversion makes it a 10-point game.
TRY! Argentina 3-20 Australia (Kellaway, 29)
Outstanding! From nothing. Gordan, on the right wing, changed direction and fed Donaldson who darted down the short side. Quick hands to Kellaway and then to Jorgensen created the space and the young winger fed his fullback back on the inside with a perfectly timed one-two move and away he went. Donaldson converts and this is getting ugly for the home side who look shellshocked.
27 min: Correction, we resumed with an Argentine scrum (I could have sworn that was a white and blue hand that knocked on). Anyway, they work through five phases and go from the right, to the left, and back to the right. Albornoz has his hands on it and a pass for Cinti on the angle sees him burst into Australia’s 22. But a spilled ball swiftly finds its way to Koroibete who hoofs a mighty kick deep into Argentina’s half. The return punt doesn’t have the same heft so it’s Australia’s line-out inside Puma territory. Great defence from the Wallabies.
26 min: Donaldson hoists a high kick that neither team can control. It bounces once, twice and is finally knocked forward by Argentina. Time for a drinks break in the heat. We’ll return with a scrum for Australia in Argentina’s half. The home side need to sharpen up sharpish.
26 min: Argentina are running it from everywhere. Albornoz almost gets in real trouble as he looks to step Donaldson in his own 22, slips and just about wriggles free. But the Pumas are unperturbed as they go down the line and almost find the half-gap needed, but an offload back infield from the right wing doesn’t stick. Now it’s Australia’s turn to run it back.
24 min: Tupou makes a tackle, gets on his feet and wins a stunning turnover on half-way. That allows Australia to counter after several Argentine phases and in a flash they’re within touching distance of the line thanks to a bobbling kick that sits up on an awkward bounce. Argentina choose the mad option and run it from their own line. Albornoz eventually hoofs it long to clear.
Penalty! Argentina 3-13 Australia (Donaldson, 23)
Donaldson belts it through! Australia havea 10-point lead and the crowd is stunned into silence.
21 min: Another penalty for Australia. Argentina not rolling away. They’re getting bullied at the breakdown. Donaldson will have an easy shot from inside the Pumas’ 22. This is going very well for the visitors.
20 min: Faessler finds Frost and Australia set the platform for Gordan to box. He lands it near the touch line in Argentina’s territory. Bertranou box kicks as well. Ikitau has it and shovels it on for Koroibete on Australia’s left wing. Nice tempo to this game. Both teams are getting a move on. The sequence ends with Australia winning a penalty as Gordan milks it at the back of a ruck, insisting that he couldn’t get the ball out.
NO TRY! Argentina 3-10 Australia
It’s been ruled out! And rightly so if you ask me. Lavanini definitely took out Wilson right as the Wallaby skipper was lining up a shot on Kremer. Let off for Australia. I think Kremer would have scored anyway.
Oh hang on, they’re going to check this. Might be an obstruction call against Argentina…
TRY! Argentina 8-10 Australia (Kremer, 18)
So easy! Argentina opt to tap and go from right in front of the poles. They shift the point of contact which disguises Kremer’s perfect line. He receives the ball and bashes over with a mighty heave.
17 min: Australia get in a tanlge at the restart – just like last week – and in a flash Argentina are crashing over men in gold. Gallo and Sclavi both with big carries as they get within five of the line. Australia stray off-side as they scramble back and Argentina have the penalty right under the poles.
TRY! Argentina 3-10 Australia (Tizzano, 15)
Yes he can! It’s Tizzano who wriggles it over. Koroibete tried but couldn’t get there so the flanker had a go himself. Lovely carries in the build up from Bell who was just immense. Donaldson adds the extras.
15 min: Better from Australia. Kellaway, Faessler with big carries. Gordan has them thrumming, They’re inches away, can someone wrestle it down?
13 min: Free-kick to Australia from the scrum. Which means they can’t choose to scrum again. So Donaldson hoofs a kick into Argentina’s 22 and Mallia marks for a free kick of his own. He kicks long. Donaldson kicks it back. Albornoz kicks. Someone run it! Kellaway does and now we’re around half-way near the left wing.
12 min: Argentina have it back but then lose it again. They just can’t work through the phases. Australia don’t kick from their own half and invite the onrushing Pumas. We’ll come back for an Argentine knock-on.
Both teams are energetic but someone needs to calm down and maybe take the contact and go to ground. All feels a bit rushed at the minute.
10 min: From a secure scrum Argentina’s midfield gets in a knot and spill the ball for almost no reason. Just a mess from first phase ball. Australia counter down the left but it’s Tupou who is the last man to receive the ball and he’s bundled out.
9 min: Argentina play an odd routine at the line-out, going to the front but making no yards. They soon knock-on and Australia counter with Jorgensen and Kellaway steaming up field. Thank they’re building well until Koroibete knocks on. Scrum to Argentina outside their own 22.
7 min: Last week the restarts were a mess but so far the receiving team has managed to exit well. Australia do so again with a carry but soon after Gordan’s box-kick is charged down. Then, under pressure, Australia give away a penalty as they try to mop up. Argentina kick towards the 22.
Penalty! Argentina 3-3 Australia (Donaldson, 6)
Easy does it. Loving this so far. Great contest.
5 min: Faessler has the throw and goes over the top and finds Frost. Nice variety. Tupou is in the line and tips on for Koroibete who finds space on the left wing. He takes the tackle and tries to off-load but can’t find his man. There’s a penalty advantage though fir a no-arm tackle against Montoya. So Donaldson will have an easy shot to level things.
Penalty! Argentina 3-0 Australia (Albornoz, 4)
On the board! A great start for the home side. From left to right, easy through the poles.
2 min: Penalty for Argentina as Australia lose their composure at the deck. Jorgensen made a few stiff tackles to keep the Pumas at bay. Matera in the tram offered an option and almost stictched an off-load but no advantage.
2 min: What a strong carry from Wilson from the kick-off, motoring about 15 metres up field. But after a box kick M Carreras is screaming up the wing. Ding dong start!
The Argentina anthem is a long one, isn’t it? No complaints, I’m South African and ours also stretches a bit. But when the “Argentine National Anthem” – yes, that’s it’s official name – gets going it keeps going!
Anyway, we’re all done now. Time for some footy.
Time for the anthems. As far as I can tell everyone is singing.
[If you know, you know]
100 Test caps up for Julian Montoya. What a moment for the skipper as he walks out with his child in his arms, soaking in the applause of the packed stadium.
There’s more than a game on the line today.
The Puma Cup is also up for grabs. In case you need reminding, that’s the floating trophy awarded to the winner of these sides across the two matches in the Rugby Championship.
Last year Argentina won it for the first having done the double over the Wallabies, who held the gong for 13 years in a row before.
Sky have just switched over. For some reason the scheduled kick-offs for these two games haven’t aligned with the actual kick-offs.
Anyway, I’m now looking at a capacity stadium bathed in brilliant sunshine. Looks like a cracking day for some running footy.
Remarkable. Slipper goes level with Gregan on 139 Test caps and joint-sixth on the all time list.
Here’s who’s ahead of him:
Alun Wyn Jones (Wales & Lions) 171
Sam Whitelock (NZ) 153
Richie McCaw (NZ) 148
Sergio Parisse (Italy) 142
Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland & Lions) 141
14 years of Slips 📸#Wallabies #TRC2024 pic.twitter.com/MM4EHW2V6O
— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 7, 2024
Updated
Should be noted that Harry Wilson skippers the Wallabies for the second game in a row.
Given how the captaincy has been treated like a game of musical chairs, this points to some sort of consistency. And when you’re starting a rebuild project, having consistency is key.
Just catching up with today’s rugby action? We’ve got you covered:
Sarah Rendell was at Kingsholm stadium as the Red Roses thwacked France.
And earlier, the Springboks tightened their grip on the Rugby Championship by claiming a fourth win on the bounce against the All Blacks.
Pumas on the hunt for revenge
Argentina need a response and they need one now. They’ll have to find one without their most-capped player in their history as Agustin Creevy took his 110 Test caps with him into retirement.
Also missing from the squad is the lock Pedro Rubiolo and scrumhalf Lautaro Bazan Velez. Oh, there’s also loose forward Bautista Pedemonte on the injury table. Not ideal, I’d say.
Like Australia there’s a big change at flyhalf as Santiago Carreras – more of a fullback if you’re asking me – has been replaced by Tomos Albornoz.
Argentina: Mallia; Delguy, Cinti, Chocobares, M Carreras; Albornoz, Betranou; Gallo, Montoya (cap), Sclavi, Petti, Lavanini, Matera, Kremer, Gonzalez.
Replacements: Ruiz, Vivas, Bello, Molina, Oviedo, Grondona, Garcia, S Carreras.
¡Estamos listos! 🇦🇷
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) September 5, 2024
🔜 Fecha 4 TRC
🆚 Wallabies 🇦🇺
📆 Sábado 7 de septiembre
⏰ 16:00 horas
🏟️ Colón de Santa Fe
📺 ESPN#SomosLosPumas pic.twitter.com/YyL6t7UgMM
Donaldson handed the keys to No10
Ben Donaldson starts at fly-half in the most prominent of the four changes to the side from last week.
Max Jorgensen gets his first start on the right wing, and there’s a new-look second row Jeremy Williams and Nick Frost combining.
Joining the heavies from the bench will beames Slipper who equals George Gregan’s record as the most-capped Wallaby of all-time with 139 appaearnces for te gold and green.
Australia: Kellaway; Jorgensen, Ikitau, Stewart, Koroibete; Donaldson, Gordan; Bell, Faessler, Tupou, Frost, Williams, Valetini, Tizzano, Wilson (cap)
Replacements: Nasser, Slipper, Alaalatoa, Canham, Gleeson, McDermott, Lynagh, Flook.
Almost time ⏳
— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 6, 2024
🗓️ Sunday 8th Sept | 5:00am AEST
🆚 Argentina
🏟️ Santa Fe, Argentina
📺: @StanSportAu#TRC2024 #Wallabies pic.twitter.com/8JjzlcNHrq
Preamble
Are we allowed to ask if the Wallabies have turned a corner? Look, I know it’s early days. I know that Joe Schmidt has only been in the job for a hot minute. I know that the twin wins against Wales and the solitary – and sketchy – win over Georgia barely proved anything given the weakness of the opposition. I know that they got spanked twice at home by the Springboks. And I know that some might argue that last week’s win in Argentine rain was a scrappy, ugly, unconvincing affair.
But my goodness, when last did so much positivity swirl around rugby union in Australia? If we can’t allow ourselves to see the sliver of light that bursts through the gloom, then what is the point of all this head bashing and bone crunching?
As I said, last week’s triumph over the Pumas, procured after trailing once by 10 points and again by nine points, wasn’t exactly a humdinger. But as Angus Fontaine noted, it showed a lot of heart.
They’ll know that a win here at the ominously named Brigadier General Estanislao López Stadium, popularly known as The Elephant Graveyard, would catapult them to second place on the Rugby Championship log. Of course there’s still the small matter of two games against the All Blacks over the horizon, but that is a problem for another day. For now, another morale-boosting win is within touching distance.
Not if Argentina have anything to say about that. They’ll be smarting after that narrow loss that many suggested was little more than a consequence of some dodgy time-keeping at the death.
This should be a good ‘un with some scores to settle and cases to make. Hope you’re as amped as I am.
Kick-off at 8pm BST/5am AEST/ 4pm local time.
Teams and more updates to come.
