Rugby: Argentina avenge Australia 48-17 and take the lead

Argentine Emiliano Bovelli celebrates after a late attempt against Australia, August 13, 2021 in San Juan Mabromata

Seven attempts and a correction 48-17: Defeated last weekend, Argentina took a strong revenge against Australia on the second day of the rugby tournament on Saturday in San Juan (Northwest) and took the lead in this competition that brought together the four. The best countries in the southern hemisphere.

Thanks to this victory with the offensive bonus, and a better difference in points, the Argentines are ahead of the Australians at the top of the standings, ahead of South Africa and New Zealand.

Puma’s last victory was against Australia on 15 September 2018 (23-19) on the Gold Coast. Their last home success dates back to 2014 (21-17) in Mendoza. Saturday’s stinging 48-17 is Argentina’s biggest victory over Australia.

In their first encounter in Mendoza last weekend, the Argentines collapsed in the last twenty minutes, losing 41-26 after a long struggle with the Australians. This time they held wallabies until their disgust, rough and semi-transparent.

In this second match, James O’Connor replaced Quad Cooper in the opening, as he sustained a new injury after rupturing his Achilles tendon. A new blow for an Australian team has already disqualified its captain Michael Hooper, who has returned to the country to maintain his mental health.

– Quick start –

The Argentines got off to a great start, scoring two attempts in just seven minutes. Returning Juan Imhof, who was erected on the wing in place of Santiago Cordero, took advantage of an Australian misunderstanding to score an attempt in the second minute, the fifteenth for Racing 92 in a Pumas shirt. An intervention from O’Connor allowed the Argentines to add a second attempt by Thomas Gallo (6th), diverted like the first by Emiliano Bovelli.

Leading 14-0 after just seven minutes of play, the Wallabies reacted thanks to an attempt from their captain James Slipper (11) and a convert, then a penalty from O’Connor.

But when the attempt had just been rejected, the Australians, who weren’t oddly crystallized, let Jerónimo de la Fuente slip away from the attempt (23), then Boveli improved him again (21-10).

After being unleashed, Alpuma, coached by Australian Michael Checa, added the fourth attempt of Juan Martin Gonzalez Samso (31), but Boveli did not change his stance this time.

With four attempts in their pocket, the Argentines went back to the locker room with a 16-point lead (26-10), and had already had 9 at halftime last Saturday.

If a week ago the Puma family had been weighed down by a temporary exclusion, they would have negotiated their second term much better. A successful penalty kick by Bovelli worsened the mark (53, 29-10).

Then three new attempts occurred with Gallo (64th), Bovelli (77th) and Albornoz (80th) versus an attempt by Iquitao (66th), burying Australia’s hopes and earning an offensive bonus point.

After a two-week hiatus, the Argentines will face New Zealanders in Christchurch on August 27, revitalized with their success in South Africa (35-23), while the Australians will welcome South Africans in Adelaide.