Argentina got away with it. The Pumas went for a more than difficult victory in Sydney against Australia (34-31). Eddie Jones lost for the second time at the head of his selection in two weeks, after the defeat in South Africa a week earlier (43-12). Argentina is recovering after its heavy setback against New Zealand and should certainly finish in 3rd place in this 2023 rugby championship.
However, everything had not started perfectly for the Argentinians, showered at the start of the test from the 5th minute of Australian center Len Ikitau (out injured in the shoulder during the first act). But as against the Springboks, Australia stopped playing afterwards, leaving control of the ball and the field to the Pumas who initially struggled to materialize.
But through hard work, the Argentinians found the fault thanks to Jeronimo de la Fuente (24th) to return to ten everywhere at the break. Before taking control after returning from the locker room through hooker and captain Julian Montoya (46th). A domination then logically illustrated on the scoreboard (17-10).
The Wallabies only reacted rather than acted. Evidenced by the test of Nick White (53rd) again putting the two teams tied (17-17). On the hour mark, Michael Cheika’s men again upped the pace to make the break after a penalty from Boffelli (60th) and a try from Mateo Carreras (69th) which seemed to have put an end to the hopes of the locals (27 -17).
Still pushed to their limits, the players of Eddie Jones and Pierre-Henry Broncan (former manager of Castres) immediately reduced the gap to the score with a very well-crafted try from center Samu Kerevi (72nd) after a good job of Koroibete then Quade Cooper.
Back at 27-24, the Wallabies then began to dream of an unexpected and more than sluggish victory. Driven back in front of their line by starved Pumas, they thought they would bend once again. But it was without counting on the interception of winger Mark Nawaqanitawase (76th) who had read the pass of the former Parisian and Brive Nicolas Sanchez well, to cross the whole field and plant the KO try, which sounded like a crushing blow for unvarnished Argentines.
A game is never over before the final whistle and the visitors clung to this maxim as they went on the attack, refusing to fall so close to victory. Victory validated by a test after regulation time, after a lot of work from the forwards. The 3rd center line Juan Martin Gonzalez Samso dove above the group to offer his teammates a deserved victory.
Argentina did not fully convince, showing failures in their game, but will go to South Africa during the last match of the rugby championship with more peace of mind. The Australians on their side will receive the All Blacks with an obligation of victory to avoid the wooden spoon which reaches out to them.
