Dominant second half performance help Australia clinch their first win

Australia 45-20 Argentina, GIO Stadium
Scorecard

Australia managed to score five tries in the second half as they managed to register their first win in the ongoing Rugby Championship 2017 beating Argentina 45-20 at GIO Stadium on Saturday.

The first half was highly competitive with Argentina having a three point lead but they did things slip away in the second half especially in the final 10 minutes which they saw them concede three tries following sin-bin to replacement Enrique Pieretto Heilan.

Bernard Foley kicked the proceedings with a third minute penalty but Argentina managed to level the scores when Nicholas Sanchez kicked a three pointer, 11 minutes later.

Scrum-half Martin Landajo gave Argentina a breathing space with the first try of the game that came in the 22nd minute but Israel Folau negated his effort six minutes later as the scores were levelled 10-10. Sanchez's second penalty that came in the 35th minute meant, the visitors went into half time with a 10-13 lead.

Michael Cheika's men upped the ante in the second half with Sekope Kepu (48') and Folau (52') strolling past the post while Foley, who had a fantastic game converted both the tries to increase Australia's lead to 11 points.

Any chance of an Argentina comeback was put off when Pieretto Heilan was yellow-carded in the 70th minute and Australia capitalised on the opportunity as Will Genia, Nick Phipps and Jordan Uelese all went past the line and Foley added the conversions on all three occasions to take Australia to 45 points.

Despite being one man down, Matias Moroni scored a consolation try for Argentina in the 77th minute but they succumbed to a 25 point defeat - their fourth in the tournament.