Argentina secured a thrilling 28-26 victory over Australia in the Rugby Championship, avenging their narrow defeat to the Wallabies just a week prior. The Pumas capitalized on Australia's undisciplined play, showcasing resilience and determination in a tense encounter.
Carreras' Boot Proves Decisive
Fly-half Santiago Carreras emerged as the hero for Argentina, contributing a remarkable 23 points with his boot, including seven crucial penalties and a conversion. His accuracy and composure under pressure proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Montoya Leads by Example
Veteran Julian Montoya, playing in his 112th Test and 50th as Argentina's captain, scored the Pumas' only try in the eighth minute, setting the tone for their early dominance. Montoya's leadership and experience were instrumental in guiding his team to victory.
Wallabies' Late Surge Falls Short
Trailing 28-7, the Wallabies mounted a spirited comeback with three late tries from Andrew Kellaway and Filipo Daugunu (2). However, their efforts fell short as Argentina held on to secure a memorable win. Despite outscoring Argentina four tries to one, Australia's penalty count of 13 proved costly.
Coaches Express Frustration
Both head coaches expressed frustration with the officiating. Argentina's Felipe Contepomi cited a lack of consistency, while Australia's Joe Schmidt lamented his team's inability to stay on the right side of the referee. Schmidt noted, "We were penalised for getting up in the ruck and being in the way..."
A Win to Savour
Montoya emphasized the importance of enjoying the victory, stating, "This time we won, but I think we make it tough for ourselves sometimes. Australia is a great team and I'm really proud with the way that we fought. Still a lot of things to improve, but we need to enjoy winning as well." The win sees Argentina leapfrog the Wallabies in the world rankings.