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Australia 16 Argentina 16
Argentina’s Tri-Nations rollercoaster finished second after a wet and wild draw with Australia.
The Pumas finished ahead of their opponents by virtue of point difference, and behind champion New Zealand, after a second straight draw with the Wallabies. Reece Hodge had a late opportunity to snatch the victory from Australia, but the 45-meter penalty attempt from the winger faded.
Stripped of Pablo Matera, Guido Petti and Santiago Socino, the three players withdrew last week following the appearance of racist posts on social media, Argentina produced another combative performance.
A good try from Pumas winger Bautista Delguy, prepared by scrum-half Felipe Ezcurra on the back of a runaway maul, meant his team led for much of the game.
Four scorecards marked the contest, with Australia’s replacement, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, sent off near the hour mark after Marcos Kremer and Michael Hooper were sent off for sin in the first half.
As Australia increased the pressure in the fourth quarter, ultimately leading to an easy attempt by Hooper that tied things thanks to Hodge’s touchline conversion, referee Angus Gardner also showed Lucas Paulos yellow.
In soggy conditions, the entry of Argentine back rowers Santiago Grondona, Facundo Isa and Rodrigo Bruni provoked several fumbles from the hosts.
Fittingly, the tournament ended with Argentina repelling an attack from the Wallabies and Hooper admitted that the Pumas had proven to be “a tough cookie to break.”
“We will build on that, we are not happy with the performance,” said the Australia captain, whose attempt was his 20th in test rugby.
“His tackles around the pill and around our midsections blew the ball up several times. It was difficult conditions and we won the territorial battle, but we could not convert.
“We had to adjust and I was disappointed that we couldn’t play a little more because when we did, we played good things.
“But Argentina has been very good defensively throughout this competition. They had a tough question with four great test matches in a row and they did well. “
These teams drew 15-15 at Newcastle last month and the Wallabies drew first blood in the rematch, Hodge putting them ahead after Kremer’s illegal elimination of high-ranking rival James O’Connor.
That incident earned Kremer a yellow card and, after Nicolás Sánchez nullified Australia’s lead with a long-range kick, Hooper was sent off for sin after a very similar collision.
As Sanchez competed for the ball in a ruck near the touchline, Hooper charged toward the break.
His shoulder made contact with Sanchez’s head and Gardner reached into his pocket following the intervention of television game official Damon Murphy.
While Sánchez was off the field undergoing a head injury evaluation, his temporary replacement Domingo Miotti scored another penalty.
Delguy’s try, a knitting run from outside Australia’s 22 that confused Marika Koroibete and beat Hunter Paisami’s tackle with a powerful defense, followed.
Miotti converted before Hodge hit another penalty, cutting Argentina’s lead at halftime to 13-6.
Hodge and Miotti exchanged penalties in the second half, and Salakaia-Loto received a well-deserved red card for a reckless high tackle to Grondona.
Despite Australia dropping to 14 permanently, Hooper’s try came with 12 minutes to go and Hodge had a long-range opportunity to sink the Pumas. However, their attack was deflected and the teams were unable to divide.
Dave Rennie’s record as Australia’s head coach is now three draws, two losses and one win in six games in 2020. Meanwhile, Argentina can be proud of a resurgent year.
“It’s beautiful,” Ezcurra said on the final whistle. “We had a really difficult year with a very long quarantine. Playing these games to end the year is very, very, very good for us. “
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