Match Centre: Argentina 26-41 Australia

Argentina 26-41 Australia, Estadio Malvinas Argentinas

Australia scored three second half tries as they kick-started their Rugby Championship campaign with a 41-26 win over Argentina in the opening round at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas on Saturday.

Argentina made a promising start to the game as Pablo Matera grabbed an inside pass from Santiago Carreras to score in the 6th minute and Emiliano Boffelli kicked the conversion to make it 7-0.

Quade Cooper made an impact instantly as he nailed a penalty, before Emiliano Boffelli hit back with two of his own to make it 13-3 before the Wallabies fly-half showed brilliance in setting up Jordan Petaia over the line.

Cooper also followed with the conversion but a third penalty kick from Boffelli in the 22nd minute meant Argentina still had a lead of 16-10. Boffelli capitalised on further indiscipline from the visitors as he slotted another three-pointer to ensure the Pumas went into the break with a 19-10 lead.

The start of the second half saw Cooper leaving the field injured again with a suspected low leg injury but Fraser McReight, who came in the place of Michael Hooper went over the line in the 48th minute and Reece Hodge kicked the conversion to reduce the gap down to two points.

The Pumas struck back as Santiago Cordero went onto the attack and beat the Wallabies defenders before offloading to Juan Martin Gonzalez, who dotted down in the 55th minute and Boffelli followed with the conversion to make it 26-17.

The momentum shifted as Australia forwards combined for a penalty try from the rolling maul that also resulted in a yellow card for Matías Alemanno. A long boot from Hodge ensured Dave Rennie's men went into the lead with a 26-27 margin.

With the hosts still down a man, Folau Fainga’a capped off his strong performance with a trademark try from the rolling maul to push the lead past a converted try to extend their lead before Len Ikitau dived over during the injury time as Australia completed a 15 point victory.

Team line up:

Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallía, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martín González Samso, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Matías Alemanno, 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya (captain), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.

Reserves: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Thomas Gallo, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Santiago Grondona, 20 Rodrigo Bruni, 21 Lautaro Bazán Vélez, 22 Tomas Albornoz, 23 Matias Moroni.

Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper (captain).

Reserves: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Pete Samu, 22 Jake Gordon, 23 Reece Hodge.