Australia vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby Championship score and latest ...
(EPA)
Australia and Argentina will be desperate to put chastening losses behind them this morning when they do battle in Sydney in round two of the Rugby Championship.
The opening weekend could hardly have gone worse for both sides as the All Blacks demolished the Pumas 41-12 in Argentina and while Wallabies coach Eddie Jones had talked big pre-match about making history in South Africa, the Springboks obliterated them 43-12 on home turf. With only one more round of games following this weekend’s action, both teams’ chances of lifting the trophy is already slim but a loss would extinguish that hope completely.
Jones was hoping to make a statement in his first game back as Australia boss but instead, the scale of the challenge in front of him with the World Cup looming became stark. His countryman Michael Cheika, with whom he has a complicated history, faces similar questions in his role as Pumas head coach.
History favours the Wallabies in this fixture – since 1991, only four of the 30 fixtures contested have been won by Argentina and only one of those victories came in Australia (in 2018). However, the Pumas did win the most recent game between the sides handsomely – 48-17 in last year’s Rugby Championship – and also recorded a pair of draws in Australia back in 2020.
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Is that the killer blow? Mateo Carreras shows his pace and shiftiness to score.
Argentina reverse the field to the left, pop pass to Carreras running a great line and he slides outside David Porecki before arcing his run to touch down int he corner. Great play by the winger.
Good conversion from out wide by Boffelli and the Pumas lead by 10 points with 10 minutes left!
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:37
Rebels flanker Josh Kemeny on for his Australia debut, while Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro on in the front row for the Pumas for Thomas Gallo.
Good scrum by Argentina but huge tackle by Samu Kerevi. Boom!
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:35
Tate McDermott on for Nic White at scrum-half. He’ll have to help defend first up as Argentina reach the 22.
Good drift defence by the Wallabies and the Pumas are almost back to halfway. Mateo Carreras kicks through in hope more than expectation but it’s knocked on and a Pumas scrum on the 22.
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:34
A rare bit of kick tennis from these two teams but Marika Koroibete decides to run back and makes good yards before Fraser McReight makes some more.
Ah, but it’s knocked on as McReight tries an offload. A bit of afters from both teams - Matias Moroni and Rob Valetini getting involved.
Moroni pushed a man on the floor but Valetini’s reaction was disproportionate according to the refs so penalty Argentina.
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:31
Quade Cooper makes a few yards, then nice quick hands out to Marika Koroibete but well covered.
Hmmm, Australia going backwards here, back outside the 22 after a losses pass. Then Allan Alaalatoa knocks on when not really looking. Missed opportunity but good defence by the Pumas.
Loosehead prop Angus Bell on for James Slipper.
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:27
Australia immediately back on the attack. A lineout around the Argentina 22.
Some news on Len Ikitau who injured his shoulder scoring the opening try. He’s off to hospital for a scan.
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:25
Argentina win the turnover penalty at the breakdown. Nic White looks unimpressed but the referee deems the ball was out and could legally be played.
Emiliano Boffelli, with his unique hunched-over stance, will have a pop from near halfway to the left of the posts.
Line good and the length as well! Great kick!
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:24
Poor kick by Emiliano Boffelli, out on the full so it’s an Australian lineout back in the Pumas half.
But Argentina steal the set-piece. Good recovery work!
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:21
Oof, big hit involving Samu Kerevi. Lucio Cinti makes decent ground but good defence by Australia as they tie up the Pumas and drive them into touch.
Matt Philip, the lock who has just come on for the impressive Will Skelton, among those involved.
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:20
Great vision by Nic White and he snipes over for the try.
Solid scrum, White looks to go left but pressure from Gonzalo Bertranou forces him back right and there’s no protection there as the Pumas have over-committed, so he snipes round the edge of the scrum and over for the score.
Easy conversion and we’re back level
Luke Baker15 July 2023 12:17
