Argentina pulled off a sensational 67-27 victory over Australia in their Rugby Championship clash in Santa Fe, as Julian Montoya celebrated his 100th cap.
Los Pumas managed nine tries on the day through hot-stepping wing Mateo Carreras, the milestone man Julian Montoya, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Pablo Matera Joaquin Oviedo (2), Juan Cruz Mallia (2) and Lucio Cinti all crossing the whitewash.
Fly-half Tomas Albornoz was on point with the boot, kicking six conversions and two penalties. Substitute Santiago Carreras also added two from his boot.
The Wallabies only managed three tries in the Santa Fe heat through Carlo Tizzano, Andrew Kellaway and Tate McDermott with Ben Donaldson kicking two penalties and two conversions. Replacement Tom Lynagh also kicked a conversion.
It did not take long for the scoreboard to tick over as Albornoz nudged over a penalty after just four minutes. This would be the hosts’ last points for nearly 30 minutes as Donaldson cancelled out the Argentine penalty with one for Australia after six minutes.
The Wallabies looked to double down on their momentum and did just that with the tireless Tizzano being rewarded with a converted score after 15 minutes. Donaldson would add another penalty eight minutes later before Max Jorgensen expertly played in Kellaway for his try.
Almost as if it was a flick of a switch, Argentina burst into life scoring two tries through Carreras and skipper Montoya in the last 10 minutes of the first period.
The hosts would follow suit in the second half scoring three tries through Gonzalez, Matera and Joaquin Oviedo in the first 24 minutes of the half. Albornoz nailed all of the conversions to give Argentina a strong lead.
Australia managed to scratch together their final try of the game with some quick thinking from McDermott powering him over with 11 minutes to go.
However, it would go severely downhill for the visitors as the floodgates well and truly opened with Mallia bagging a brace, Oviedo scoring his second and Cinti strolling overall in the final 10 minutes.
What started as a positive performance for Australia fell apart into a string of forgettable records for Joe Schmidt.
FT in Santa Fe.#Wallabies #TRC2024 pic.twitter.com/MPiCkH1B5r
— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 7, 2024
