Dave Rennie’s Wallabies proved too powerful for Los Pumas, coming away convincing victors in the second instalment of Saturday’s double-header in Townsville.
Bok coach: We wanted to put Elton on
After their two victories over the Springboks, the Wallabies were riding high to carry that form into their clash with the Pumas. The hosts put together a polished performance to come away 27-8 victors and continue their run of good form.
Fullback Reece Hodge scythed through the Pumas defensive lines in the opening exchanges and beat the last defender to cross for the match’s first try after only five minutes. Quade Cooper made no mistake adding the extras and the Wallaby juggernaut looked to have picked up right where they left off.
All the momentum was with the home side as they continued to exert pressure on the Pumas. Eventually, the tide could not be stopped and the Wallabies crossed for their second try through Samu Kerevi, who did well to ground the ball after he seemingly had been held up by the defence.
A solitary penalty for the Pumas meant they entered half time at 17-3, having at least troubled the scorers. The Argentinians knew that if they were to claw their way back, they would need to be far improved in the second half.
The first half may have bruised Argentina’s ego but they were stung into action in the second forty. The men in blue came out the blocks quickly and struck back through a driving maul try to close the gap to only nine points – Julian Montoya the grateful recipient at the back of the maul.
The visitors played with more fluidity in the second half and forced the Wallabies into defensive errors, testing their discipline. Ultimately, though, they struggled to execute the opportunities created. Australia’s defence held firm and Hooper’s men applied the squeeze.
A try to wing Andrew Kellaway in the final 10 minutes put the result beyond doubt and added some gloss to the scoreline for Australia.
Dave Rennie’s men have now won three on the bounce in the Rugby Championship and will be brimming with confidence ahead of their final-round rematch against the Pumas next Saturday.
