Drew Mitchell impressive as NSW Barbarians lose narrowly in Argentina

DREW Mitchell gave Ewen McKenzie a timely reminder of his class with an influential performance for the NSW Barbarians on Saturday.

FORGOTTEN Wallaby wing Drew Mitchell gave Ewen McKenzie a timely reminder of his class with an influential performance for the NSW Barbarians in their tight loss to Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

Mitchell scored a try and laid on two others but it wasn't enough for NSW to get home against the Pumas, who came from behind to snatch a 29-27 win with a penalty kick after the final siren.

NSW - who wore club socks but fielded almost all of the Waratahs top team - looked on track to beat the Argentinian Test team, leading 24-13 in the 60th minute courtesy of two tries to Sekope Kepu, and one each to Mitchell and Peter Betham.

Led by star forward Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, the Pumas stormed home however, with two late tries and a Will Skelton penalty allowed Nicolas Sanchez to pop over an 81st minute match winner.

The teams will clash again on Friday in La Plata.

Mitchell wasn't named by McKenzie in his 40-man Wallaby squad for the Rugby Championship that gathers tomorrow in Sydney, but the veteran winger showed he still has the goods to turn big matches.

Cam Crawford played in the match but is set to undergo surgery later this month and is still unavailable for Test duties.

Anthony Faingaa's injury withdrawal also opens up a back spot, but it's believed he won't be replaced.