Rugby Championship: Argentina Shocks Australia with a 67-27 Victory
A disappointing defeat struck the Australian squad at the Rugby Championship, when they suffered their all-time highest conceding defeat to Argentina at Santa Fe with a stunning 67-27 loss. Even though the Australians led with a strong 20-3 at the start, a shocking downturn during the second half ended in Argentina bagging a massive 64 points, causing a defeat that may not be identical to their 53-8 defeat to South Africa in Johannesburg in 2009, but certain to leave the newly appointed coach, Joe Schmidt, infuriated.
Regretting significant losses of the key players Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou during the second half, Schmidt confessed his team’s drastic downturn as Argentina scored an impressive nine blistering tries, replicating their dazzling performance that took New Zealand by surprise during the competition’s initial round. A serious review will now be imperative as the devastated Wallabies team aims to regroup in advance of the Bledisloe Cup series against New Zealand, set to begin on September 21st.
Australia’s demolishing 40-point defeat was startling, considering their earlier supremacy in the game. Right from Jeremy William’s awe-inspiring first kick, to Harry Wilson’s commendable leadership in his second Test as captain, Australia initially shone, with winger Max Jorgensen making significant strides against Argentina. Early scores saw Australia ahead 10-3 after Carlo Tizzano took advantage of a Ben Donaldson break and a Bell charge at the line. An extended Australian lead of 20-3 occurred when Donaldson managed a quick manoeuvre, and Jorgensen assisted Andrew Kellaway in securing a second try within 30 minutes.
Australia’s form, however, plummeted thereon. After a 20-point lead, the Australians witnessed Argentina score 14 of their own, credit to tries from Mateo Carreras and Julian Montoya, marking his 100th Test, who brought the half-time scores back to 20-17. Despite Australian dominance, the possession till that point had been equally split between the teams.
Los Pumas dominated on their home turf, the formidable Brigadier General Estanislao López Stadium, also known as The Elephant Graveyard. They took advantage of the substantial disparity between the teams ranked sixth and eighth globally, overwhelming the Australian team with their offensive prowess. Argentina’s power over every collision followed their favourable control over the scrum, causing Australia’s previously perfect set-piece to disintegrate with the exit of Bell and Tupou.
Points streamed in for Argentina as they found their stride; first Matera then Albornoz and finally, Oviedo. Australia’s noteworthy 17-point lead crumbled into a stunning 21-point shortfall. In the ultimate ten-minute stretch, Los Pumas further bolstered their lead, registering four tries with their quick reflexes, enthusiasm, and creativity.
Australia’s defence deteriorated, the damage only slightly mitigated by a single try from substitute half, Tate McDermott. Argentina surged ahead, crossing the 50-point mark effortlessly, then the 60-point mark with precision, and scoring continuously. Oviedo and Juan Cruz Mallia scored twice each just as the game-end siren announced a significant 64-7 turning point in favour of Argentina during the final 50 minutes of the test.
Schmidt, visibly caught off guard by the result, acknowledged the game’s positive aspects. However, he emphasized his disappointment over the way they lost. It was crushing to have lost such a huge lead in a crucial Test match. His side needs to learn from this, and avoid games spiralling out of their control in this manner.
He pointed out the team’s disconnected defence, unsuccessful efforts at pressuring the breakdown, and the embedded difficulties of persistently chasing a team who has the advantage on a hot day. The pressing task now for Schmidt is to restore his demoralised team as the Bledisloe Cup is only two weeks away. They’ve bungled their shot at consecutive away Test victories and potentially climbing to second place in the Rugby Championship ladder, and now face the daunting All Blacks threat.
In a recent rugby game, Argentina’s team included players like Juan Cruz Mallia, Bautista Delguy, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Bertranou, Thomas Gallo, captain Julian Montyoa, Joel Sclavi, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, and Juan Martin Gonzalez. During the game, Santiago Carreras, Eduardo Bello, Joaquin Oviedo and Franco Molina, Ignacio Ruiz, Santiago Grondona, Gonzalo Garcia, and Mayco Vivas replaced some players. Towards the end of the match, Scalvi subbed on for Bello.
On the other side, Australia had Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen, Len Ikitau, Hamish Stewart, Marika Koroibete, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, and their captain Harry Wilson. Mid-game, Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper, Josh Nasser, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Langi Gleeson, Josh Flook, and Josh Canham came on as substitutes. The referee for this match was Pierre Brousset from France.