Wallabies edge brave Pumas

Wallabies edge brave Pumas

15 Sep 2012

GARETH DUNCAN watched the Wallabies overcome a 19-6 second-half deficit to beat Argentina 23-19 in the Gold Coast.

Argentina had the better of the hosts for most parts of the match, while Wallabies wasted many of their opportunities and were errant on defence. This saw the South Americans hold a 6-3 half-time lead, before an impressive second-half blitz built a 13-point buffer.

However, the Pumas’ fight died down in the final quarter and the Wallabies managed to build vital momentum during the closing stages. Tries from inside centre Pat McCabe and wing Digby Ioane proved to be the telling scores, with the boot of Berrick Barnes and Kurtley Beale sealing victory.

Robbie Deans and his team will be very relieved as they avoided a shock defeat against Argentina, who haven’t won on Aussie soil since 1983.

And it looked to be the Pumas’ night early on.

Hardly anything went the Wallabies’ way in the first half, which included a nightmare start to the game. After flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez kicked an early penalty, Australia lost a man to the sin bin as McCabe was punished for a professional foul after chasing down an Argentine counter-attack.

The Wallabies still created scoring opportunities with a player down, but No 8 Radike Samo and skipper Nathan Sharpe butchered their chances, while Barnes missed his first two shot at goal. It took the hosts 24 minutes before Barnes finally slotted a three-pointer.

Hernandez secured Argentina a slim advantage at the break thanks to his second penalty.

Then came the Pumas blitz.

After Barnes levelled the scores shortly after the second-half restart, replacement flank Toms Leonard charged down flyhalf Quade Cooper’s clearance from the resulting kick-off to score the opening try of the game.

This inspired the tourists, who went on to break the Australian defence several times thereafter. And it was a run from speedster Juan Imhoff that created the Pumas’ second try.

The reserve wing broke away down the right side of the field, and his offload saw flank Julio Farias Cabello cross the whitewash. Although replays showed Imhoff’s foot hit the touchline, the try still stood. Hernandez missed both conversions, but his third penalty gave Argentina a comfortable 19-6 advantage.

The Wallabies then enjoyed an impressive spell of play, which began after McCabe’s try. The No 12 powered through after running on to Cooper’s pass 5m out from the chalk.

Argentina began losing grip, especially as their forwards tired up front, and it wasn’t too long before Ioane dotted down following scrumhalf Nick Phipps’ break. Barnes added both conversions before Beale slotted a late penalty.

It was a good comeback win for Australia, but Argentina will be encouraged following three impressive and competitive outings against the top three nations in world rugby. They will definitely be targeting an Aussie scalp at home.


204 Comments

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  • 51.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 12:58 pm

    @kaksioek-48: All this with a BULLsh!t gameplan and a BULLsh!t coach.

  • 52.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 12:59 pm

    @TheTorcuatense-47:
    the grass is cheap? ..ok….

    on which side is it greener though?

  • 53.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:01 pm

    @kaksioek-48:

    The Argies are a damn difficult team to play against. They have that knack to make any team look bad- if I was a player i would have hated to play against them.

  • 54.Nils: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:02 pm

    @Robzim-36: Yes, he ws joy to watch. I have downloaded a few dozen classic and recently re-enjoy Argies games vs the Irish and French back in 99, so weird was to see almost teenager looking hairy Contepomi.

  • 55.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:03 pm

    Commentator just said Argies have a 1/26 winning record against the big 3.
    Aussies are doing their best to make it 2/27.

  • 56.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:04 pm

    @kaksioek-18: what a stupid comment

    The aussies have won 7 of the last 8 against SA

    do you want to rephrase your idiocy?

  • 57.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:05 pm

    @Robzim-55: Their record will improve very rapidly. Almost all of those games were played with Argentina away from home. I give the Aussies almost no chance of beating the Pumas in Argentina.

  • 58.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:07 pm

    @poppa69-56: A very good day to you too, Mr Pooper. No thanks, but I do appreciate the kind offer.

  • 59.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:07 pm

    Wallabies passing accuracy has been shocking.

  • 60.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:09 pm

    Hooper is a real find for the Aussies.. looks like a great player

  • 61.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:09 pm

    @poppa69-56: Could I interest you in a bet on the outcome of the next game between the wonderful Wallabies and the very clearly second-rate bumbling Boks?

  • 62.Nils: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:10 pm

    @Robzim-55: I do not know from which arse they got that stats, as it is obviously not true.

    vs NZ +0, =1, -14
    vs SA +0, =1, -14
    vs Aus +4, =1, -12

  • 63.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:12 pm

    Cooper :lol:

  • 64.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:12 pm

    Oh yessssssssssss! :) Beauties.

  • 65.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:12 pm

    @Big Hit-63: Quade is as woeful as Morne.

  • 66.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:12 pm

    Wohoo! Go you beautiful all-conquering Wallabies!

  • 67.Nils: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:12 pm

    And it may look that Argies might very much get their fifth one over Aussies.

    Yessss!

  • 68.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:12 pm

    quade cooper is a chop

    who never really know what you’re gonna get with him

  • 69.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:14 pm

    beautiful try by Arg.

  • 70.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:14 pm

    and another one!

  • 71.boktillzero: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:14 pm

    s#!t just got real on the gokld coast

  • 72.Nils: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:14 pm

    AAAAAAAAA!!!!! Try again, what a beauty!!! :D

    Phew, maybe for once I have been right predicting their triumph.

  • 73.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:14 pm

    YES!

  • 74.boktillzero: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:14 pm

    *gold

  • 75.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:14 pm

    @kaksioek-61: how much start you give me? seeing as its in SA?

  • 76.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:15 pm

    Foot was on the line, lucky break.

  • 77.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:15 pm

    Pooper, I take it back – the Wallabies are far better than I thought!

  • 78.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:15 pm

    nigel owens missed two feet in touch, poor show

  • 79.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:16 pm

    @Nils-62:

    Oh, right, thanks… they must have had it wrong then.
    Game on now for sure!!

  • 80.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:16 pm

    @poppa69-75: Straight match bet, Mr Pooper. Surely you have no problem backing the wonderful Wallabies against the bumbling Boks anywhere, anytime?

  • 81.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:16 pm

    With the Puma’s confidence at the moment, I am happy as sh y te that we have already played them in Argentina…..

  • 82.Nils: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:16 pm

    Controversial try nevertheless. Rub of the green on Pumas side for a change.

  • 83.Puma: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:16 pm

    GO PUMAS!

    Two quick tries, now that will have the Wallabies worried……hahaha. Loving this…hahaha.

  • 84.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:17 pm

    @kaksioek-80: are you sure, like I said , they have won 7 of the last 8, ten of the last 15..

    what are we betting?

  • 85.Puma: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:18 pm

    Have to say the Argie Supporters as brilliant, they bring so much spark to this comp. Sing the whole game long.

  • 86.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:19 pm

    @Puma-83:

    Don’t laugh… your daughter might marry an Aussie :)

  • 87.Puma: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:19 pm

    @Puma-85: as = are

  • 88.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:19 pm

    Wayne Barnes. proving without doubt hes worse than SIR brycie :D

  • 89.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:19 pm

    That should be a yellow card.

  • 90.Puma: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:20 pm

    @Robzim-86: Nah, doubt that. She is living in Cape Town now.

  • 91.Nils: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:20 pm

    And before people ridicule how pisspoor Australia are, firstly take a bow Argentina. Apart from very first game where they understandably had some stage fright, they have played well above all expectations and give every single biggie here a fright.

    Bravo Argentina.

    P.S. I hope they’ll avoid typical “second season” syndrome.

  • 92.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:21 pm

    Cooper costs the Wallabies the Test
    Justice is poetic: Deans picked a criminal to run his team, it pays back handsomely

  • 93.sandeno: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:21 pm

    Forget about bad refereeing and nationalistic boasting fpr a moment. These Argies are absolutely terrific with the minimum raw material they have to work with. They might lose still but they compete and never back down. Respect, they are a fantastic team.

  • 94.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:21 pm

    Sharp you momentum killer

  • 95.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:22 pm

    @poppa69-84: Wallabies win, which they surely will, I won’t post on Keo.co.za for the rest of the year and you can tell everyone it’s thanks to you. If the Boks win, which is surely impossible, you don’t post on Keo.co.za for the rest of the year, and I can tell everyone that is thanks to me.

  • 96.Puma: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:22 pm

    Wallabies are not the same without Genia.

  • 97.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:23 pm

    @Puma-90:

    Clever girl, she lives in a great place.
    28 degrees here today, early summer it seems.

  • 98.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:24 pm

    Nice hit back by oz, got a game on our hands.

  • 99.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:24 pm

    About time although they tried hard to stuff it up again.

  • 100.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    15 Sep 2012, 13:25 pm

    @Hondo-92: it’s a long way from over

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