Argentina v Wallabies: Five takeaways as ‘warrior’ and ‘brilliant double-act’ help continue ‘purple patch’ under Les Kiss
Carter Gordon and Josh Canham impress for the Wallabies against Argentina.
Following a 27-21 triumph for Australia over Argentina at Estadio 23 de Agosto in San Salvador de Jujuy, here’s our five takeaways from the clash on Saturday.
The top line
Australia ran out thoroughly deserved winners in this absorbing fixture as they grabbed four tries to Los Pumas’ three and dominated most facets of play in the match.
Three tries inside the opening quarter of the game set them on their way as Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Carter Gordon and Fraser McReight all crossed before Tom Hooper was their only try scorer in the second 40. Ryan Lonergan added seven points off the tee before he was replaced due to injury after another impressive outing at the base.
Geronimo Prisciantelli and Joaquin Moro scored for Argentina in the opening half and Boris Wenger crossed for the other try, with Santiago Carreras converting all three.
But as mentioned, this was a richly earned victory for the Wallabies, who continue their purple patch in this period of transition, with all the signs looking very positive.
Streak continues
This is four wins in a row for the Wallabies as the baton that has been handed from Joe Schmidt to Les Kiss has gone swimmingly thus far. There’s a lot to like about them too.
Some of the rugby on show from Australia was wonderful as they mixed real steel up front with a slick attacking game that caused Los Pumas problems again and again.
As mentioned, this run of wins dates back to Schmidt’s last match in charge against Italy and Kiss has carried it on with two wins over Japan and this versus Argentina. If they can back this up against Los Pumas in a week’s time it would do the men in gold’s confidence the power of good before they take on South Africa on September 27.
Lock stock rises
Lining up alongside each other for the first time since July 18, Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams quickly settled into their work and starred in the engine room today.
Canham’s and Williams’ efforts with ball in hand in the lead-up to Paenga-Amosa’s score on seven minutes was the stuff of outside backs and they would continue to earn their corn around the field thereafter, finishing on 29 and 31 metres respectively in a brilliant double-act at the coalface for Australia that will delight head coach Kiss.
Williams almost got a try for his efforts in the closing stages but was adjudged to have been just short of the line. After his hearty showing it felt harsh to chalk it off.
Trouble at home
In contrast, it is now just one victory in five for Argentina and what makes this all the more concerning is that all of those matches have been played on their home patch.
Defeats to Scotland, England and South Africa have now been followed by Australia getting one over them and deservedly so it must be said as the Wallabies were on song.
The pressure must be mounting on Felipe Contepomi and they simply have to bounce back next week as their usual home fortress appears to be crumbling around them. They desperately need to end this two-Test series on a positive or it will be a gloomy break from action before they resume the Nations Championship later this year.
Stick with Carter
Back-to-back starts at fly-half for Gordon and he is better for it, of that there is no doubt. The 25-year-old was a real warrior today, like many of his teammates, but it was his ability to find gaps and attack the space in Argentina’s defence that really caught the eye as he formed a good combination with Lonergan and later Tate McDermott.
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There’s no question there’s a greater steel to the Wallabies of late, especially up front, but the backline too were rock solid as Gordon and Max Jorgenson especially never took a backward step and were crucial contributors in this away victory. Surely Kiss has to stick with the returning rugby league convert for the rematch next weekend?
READ MORE: Argentina v Australia: Result, scorers, match stats, line-ups