Wallabies cling on against Pumas
PERTH, Australia, Sept 14 (AFP) - Australia clung on to snap a
four-Test losing streak with an unimpressive 14-13 victory over
Argentina in their Rugby Championship Test at Patersons Stadium on
Saturday.
In wet and windy conditions that made slick ball handling difficult,
the Wallabies led 14-3 at half-time, but failed to score after the break
and were lucky the Pumas were unable to capitalise on some late errors
by the home team.
Although the win didn't answer too many questions about their form,
it was the Wallabies' first victory under new coach Ewen McKenzie in his
fourth match at the helm.
It was also the Wallabies' 15th win in 20 Tests against the Pumas.
However, Argentina threatened to snatch the match when they scored
the only try of the second half and the Wallabies missed three
potentially crucial chances in the dying minutes.
Christian Leali'ifano missed two penalties in the last 10 minutes and
substitute Matt Toomua completely shanked an attempt at a drop goal.
The Pumas had a chance to attack in the final minute, but were
penalised for not throwing in straight at the line-out.
The Wallabies' misfiring scrum again struggled to impose itself,
particularly in the second half, as it conceded a string of penalties.
The Pumas were first on the board, with Nicolas Sanchez slotting a
penalty in the eighth minute.
However, the Wallabies had the strong wind at their backs and leveled
through the boot of Leali'ifano four minutes later. The home team then
took the lead through Leali'ifano in the 17th minute.
Leali'ifano was again involved in the first try of the match, his
creativity ending with the impressive Israel Folau beating four Pumas to
dive over the tryline in the 28th minute.
Another Leali'ifano penalty after the half-time siren meant the
Wallabies led 14-3 at the break, the first time they have gone into the
break in the lead in six Tests. Nic White, from the ACT Brumbies, was
impressive for the Wallabies, while Pumas hooker Agustin Creevy had some
early woes at the line-outs. Desperate for their first win in the Rugby
Championship, Argentina's forwards severely tested the defence of the
Wallabies in the opening minutes of the second half, camping on the
Australian try line.
The Wallabies' makeshift scrum was under siege, as was the case in
the 38-12 loss to South Africa last weekend, and the penalties started
to flow.
However, the Wallabies somehow held firm and finally won a penalty to
ease the pressure, having enjoyed just 18 per cent of the possession in
the first 10 minutes since the resumption.
In driving rain in front of a crowd of 18,214, there was little to
enthuse about for spectators until the Pumas suddenly produced the best
rugby of the night mid-way through the half.
The visitors moved the ball across the ground with purpose and speed
and were eventually rewarded when Juan Manuel Leguizamon barged over for
their first try in the 65th minute.
When Sanchez duly converted, the Wallabies only led 14-13 and the
scene was set for a tense final 15 minutes. |