Argentina earn 19-23 hard-fought win over Australia
Nicolas Sanchez scored 12 points
©Steve Haag / Gallo Images
Australia 19-23 Argentina, Cbus Super Stadium
Scorecard
Argentina managed to return back to winning ways after they went on to beat Australia 19-23 in the fourth round of the Rugby Championship in Gold Coast on Saturday.
This is also second win for the Pumas in the last three games as they recently brought an end to a 11-game losing streak when they defeated Springboks 32-19 in the second round at home. Argentina made an impressive start under new head coach Mario Ledesma as they went on to claim their first win over the Wallabies since 1983 that saw them consolidate their third position in the table.
Argentina kick-started the proceedings with a fifth minute penalty from Emiliano Boffelli but the response from the home side came five minutes later when Dane Haylett-Petty charged an attack and offloaded to Reece Hodge, who in turn sent Will Genia over the line. Matt Toomua kicked the extras as the scoreline became 3-7.
Argentina fought back once again when Nicolas Sanchez dotted down following a pass from Jeronimo De La Fuente but once again the momentum swung towards Michael Cheika's side when Israel Folau went on to beat five defenders to score Australia's second try in the game and once again Toomua kicked the extras.
As the half-time was approaching, Bautista Delguy crossed over in the 37th minute that was improved by Sanchez as the teams went into the break with a 14-17 scoreline.
The visitors thought they extended their lead further when Boffelli dotted down at the start of the second half but the TMO had denied the try after replays showed Delguy made a forward pass. Nevertheless, a second penalty kick from Sanchez extended their lead to 14-20.
A 55th minute try from Haylett-Petty kept Australia in the game as the gap came down to one point as Toomua missed out on the extras. The final push from the Wallabies did not quite come but instead Boffelli kicked his second penalty goal to complete a historic 19-23 win for the Pumas.
