Rugby Championship: Andrew Kellaway hat-trick inspires Wallabies’ fourth straight win

An Andrew Kellaway hat-trick inspired the Wallabies to their fourth consecutive win at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday evening.

Kellaway crossed the chalk three times on Saturday. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Andrew Kellaway scored a hat-trick of tries but a potentially serious ankle injury suffered by in-form centre Samu Kerevi soured the Wallabies’ 32-17 Rugby Championship win over Argentina on Saturday night.

Kerevi, who was also among the tryscorers at Cbus Super Stadium, was forced off the field in the 52nd making after his ankle was seemingly twisted in a tackle deep in Argentine territory.

With the Wallabies set to name their squad this week for the upcoming October-November spring tour of Japan and the UK, Kerevi’s spot in the travelling party is now in doubt.

“It used to be called a sprained ankle in my day,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said.

“It’s now called syndesmosis, which is much worse evidently.

“We’re hoping that it’s not too long but we’ll assess it as we go.”

Nine minutes before going off, Kerevi scored out wide after being put through a gap in Argentina’s defensive line by Quade Cooper.

The Wallabies flyhalf dummied and delayed his pass before finding Kerevi with an inch-perfect ball.

It was part of an impressive passing display from Cooper during his hour on the field before he was replaced by James O’Connor.

However, it was versatile back Kellaway who secured man-of-the-match honours with his three-try performance.

Kellaway crossed for five-pointers in the 34th, 54th and 58th minutes in the Wallabies’ five tries-to-two bonus point win in front of more than 20,000 fans.

“’Kell’ has a nose for the line. He’s been excellent, and to be honest he wasn’t in our plans about a month before we named the squad but he came back to the Rebels and played really well,” Rennie said.

“Once he’s got his opportunity, he’s impressed. He’s a consistent part of the starting line up now. He keeps getting better.”

Australia’s fourth successive win of the tournament secured them second spot on the Rugby Championship ladder behind New Zealand.

However, the Wallabies’ failure to go with the job after opening up a 29-point second-half lead and allowing the Pumas to score the game’s final two tries left Rennie disappointed.

 “At 32-3, there was a bit of frustration,” Rennie said.

“We wanted to put the foot on the throat, and just lacked a little bit of accuracy, discipline, and gave them some soft possession, and then we just didn’t defend well from there either.

“Our defence was excellent for the majority of the game, but disappointing for that last stage.”

Pumas coach Mario Ledesma was proud of the “character” his team showed late in the match despite Argentina finishing the tournament with no wins and no points from six matches.

“After two months of a lot of effort and sacrifices ... the boys showed character,” Ledesma said.

“Maybe the game was done but you still have to it.”

For Australia, 38-year-old prop Greg Holmes came off the bench to make his first Wallabies appearance since 2016.

Towering back-rower Sean McMahon also came on for his first appearance for the national side since 2017.

For the first time in history, the Wallabies have won four straight Tri Nations/Rugby Championship games. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

38-year-old Greg Holmes (C) became the oldest Wallaby since World War II when he lined up on Saturday. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)