Wallabies singing in rain with thrilling one point win in Argentina

The Wallabies have ended their eight-match Rugby Championship losing streak after a 79th minute Ben Donaldson penalty goal earned a thrilling 20-19 victory against Argentina in teeming rain in La Plata.

After successive defeats against the world champion Springboks in Australia, the Wallabies fell behind 10-0 early in a chaotic game played in wet and windy conditions.

The Wallabies fought back to take the lead via two well-taken tries from halfback Jake Gordon and breakaway Rob Valetini but Argentina reclaimed the lead with a 69th minute penalty goal. The Wallabies kept fighting as the clock ticked down, however, and hammered the Pumas’ line in the dying minutes.

The visitors applied enough pressure in a nine-phase attack to win a crucial penalty at the ruck, and Donaldson stepped up and slotted the goal.

Coach Joe Schmidt has rarely had a relaxed time in the Wallabies coach’s box and it didn’t change in La Plata. The New Zealander spoke of his pride at his team’s efforts to close out the contest in the final minutes.

Jake Gordon scores for the WallabiesCredit: AP

“I’m just a spectator like anybody else at that stage, I’m just willing the boys to retain possession and try to get onto the front foot,” Schmidt said.

“Make sure that their work on the ground and on their feet is really positive and just build their way forward and I felt we did that.

“We put them under sufficient pressure that they got desperate and dived over the ruck clearly, which gave us enough time to have Ben Donaldson to put those last three points on the board.”

There was some confusion at the end of the game, however, after the Pumas questioned referee James Doleman for ending the game after Donaldson’s penalty, given he had previously said that there would be enough time for a re-start after the kick.

The Wallabies celebrate after winning in La Plata. Argentina present a trophy to the winner of each match on tour.Credit: AP

After the kick was successful, Doleman blew the final whistle to the surprise of the Argentines, who would have relished the opportunity to compete for the restart given the Wallabies’ inability to hold to one throughout the game.

The penalty for Argentina diving at the ruck was awarded at 78:46, which should have given enough time for the restart, given Donaldson’s allocated 60 seconds to take his kick.

So often, the Wallabies look to Valetini for inspiration in the backrow, but it was international rookie Carlo Tizzano on his third Test that stepped up, winning crucial steals at the breakdown and combining beautifully with prop Angus Bell to slow the ball down when it mattered.

Captain Harry Wilson paid credit to the Force breakaway, who led his team in turnovers (two) and tackles with 22.

“Carlo was awesome,” Wilson said. “He leads our defence the way he just launches into everyone.

“He really set the platform for us, and then obviously the way he fetched the ball for us tonight was game changing, and a few times under pressure there, and he reached and got us a penalty and won some big moments for us.”

Before the game, conscious of the forecasted rain, Schmidt had focused on the need to execute set-pieces, and an early Taniela Tupou scrum penalty underlined the crucial importance of the returning prop to the Wallabies’ fortunes.

If the set-piece was largely sound, the Wallabies’ attacking game remains a work in progress. The Wallabies enjoyed far more possession in Argentina than at home against the Springboks, but often wasted it cheaply.

Australia’s Marika Koroibete catches a ball in La Plata.Credit: AP

The team snarled early carrying for 27 successive phases, but ultimately could not break the Argentina defence.

This became a recurring theme in the first half, with the ball in hand the Wallabies looked dangerous, showing impressive handling skills in greasy conditions, but were guilty of coughing up chances with aimless kicks.

Lolesio has been trusted with the playmaker’s jersey by Schmidt but after coughing the ball up with a loose pass, it allowed the Pumas an attacking platform and a predictable rolling maul try through No.8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, often Australia’s defensive Achilles heel.

Valetini muscled through the Argentina defence to allow impressive centre Len Ikitau to combine with Tom Wright to put halfback Jake Gordon through for a vital try.

With the ball in hand, the Wallabies looked dangerous and Valetini smashed over the line after a brilliant pivot and spin from Ikitau that stretched the Argentina defence.

It saved the Wallabies’ blushes after they had the perfect platform from an attacking scrum five metres from the Argentina line, Wilson opted to go for the narrow blindside and was bundled into touch.

Lolesio and Argentina’s Tomas Albornoz swapped penalty goals to set up a thrilling finale, with Donaldson having the final say.

Schmidt was pleased with the last-minute victory in tough conditions.

“Hopefully give it (the confidence) a little bit of a springboard,” Schmidt said.