Australia Seals Dramatic Last-Minute Victory Over Argentina

In a gripping showdown, Australia secured a 28-24 victory over Argentina in the Rugby Championship, thanks to a last-minute try from Angus Bell. The decisive moment came in the sixth minute of added time, capping a remarkable comeback for the Wallabies after trailing 21-7 at half-time.

The match, held in Townsville, Australia, featured a temperature of 27°C, which led to officials pausing the game for drinks breaks during both halves. Early on, Argentina’s Mateo Carreras set the tone by kicking two penalty goals, establishing a 6-0 lead within the first 12 minutes.

Turning Point in the Second Half

Despite the early advantage for Argentina, the Wallabies began to turn the tide. Half-back Nic White scored from close range, briefly giving Australia a 7-6 lead. However, Argentina quickly responded with two tries, one from winger Bautista Delguy, which pushed the score to 11-7 by the 30th minute. Carreras then added a try and a penalty goal, enabling Argentina to take a commanding 21-7 lead into half-time.

The second half saw a determined Wallabies side. Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i emerged as a key player, scoring two tries that significantly narrowed the gap. His first came shortly after the break, reducing Argentina’s advantage to 21-14. The momentum shifted further when Carreras was sent off in the 62nd minute, leaving Argentina down to 14 men.

Climactic Finish

With the numerical advantage, Australia capitalized. Sua’ali’i managed to break through the Argentine defense for his second try, leveling the score at 21-21. As the match progressed, both teams exchanged penalty goals, keeping the contest tightly contested.

In the final moments, Angus Bell cemented Australia’s victory with his last-gasp try, prompting jubilant celebrations from the home crowd. This match marked a significant turnaround for the Wallabies, who had previously suffered a staggering 67-27 defeat to Argentina in their last encounter.

With this victory, Australia now holds a 1-1 record in the current Rugby Championship season. They had earlier defeated South Africa 38-22 in Johannesburg but lost 30-22 in Cape Town. Meanwhile, Argentina had also split their results, defeating New Zealand 29-23 for their first home win against the All Blacks before falling to the Wallabies.

The Rugby Championship continues to deliver excitement, with fans eagerly anticipating upcoming matches. The Wallabies’ resilience in this match underscores their determination to build momentum as they move forward in the tournament.