Argentina Beat Australia in a Battle To Remember

In a battle that went down to the wire at the Commbank Stadium in Australia, Argentina emerged victorious with a narrow 34-32 win, to shock the Wallabies on home soil. 

The Aussies attempted to get off the mark quickly through an early Quade cooper penalty in the second minute, with his attempt going wide keeping the game scoreless. 

The men from down under were relentless in their persual of points as they crossed the line two minutes later through outside centre Len Ikitau, who dotted down in the corner after a quick pop in pass from Samu Kerevi for the games opening try.

Cooper made no fault from the boot with a difficult kick in the corner to add the extra two points, as the home side went up The vistors again were their own undoing in the 10th minute as they conceded  a penalty allowing copper to step up and add the extra three points from the tee. 10-0 Australia after 11 minutes. 

Four minutes later and 16 phases later, an onslaught by Argentina saw fly-half Santiago Carreras put through a grubber kick who test debutant Rodrigo Isgro couldn't convert. Australia's try scorer would unfortunately go off with a hand injury in the 17th minute, before being replaced by talisman Carter Gordon. 

Three minutes later, Los Pumas eventually got on the scoreboard through a Carreras penalty to cut the deficit to seven points.  The visitors continued to apply the pressure and were rewarded with a penalty that saw them find touch in the 22nd minute.

The tactical move would pay off three minutes and ten phases later, as centre Jeronimo de la Fuente crossed the line for the vistors. Carreras added the extra two points to eqaulise the score.

Australia would a survive a last minute scare at the hands of the visitors but survived through substitute Carter Gordon as he intercepted what would have have been a certain try by the visitors. A late scrum for Los Pumas saw them make a last gsp attempt to take the lead before the half, however the Australian forwards were up to the challenge, winning the ball back and endning the half in a stalemate.

After ringing in the changes, Argentina were first to get off the mark after half-time, as they drew first blood in the 46th minute through hooker Julian Montoya when he powered over from the back of a ruck to give Argentina their first lead of the game. Carreras added the extra two points as the visitors went up 17-10. 

A rally from the home side would paid off as scrum-half Nick White crossed the line with a quick pick up from the back of a maul, before Cooper added the extra two points to bring the score level again. Argentina were then awarded a penalty and opted to go for poles to extend their lead. Carreras stepped up to give Los Pumas a 20-17 lead in the 59th minute. 

The game would open up drastically with back and forth action until a try from Los Pumas left-wing Mateo Carreras which was followed by a Carreras conversion gave the visitors a ten point lead.

The final ten minutes were frantic as both side tried to seal the game and it looked as though Australia would rally for the win, scoring two tries through centre Samu Kerevi, and interception from winger Mark Nawaqanitawase who sprinted the full flength of the field, followed by two cooper conversions saw them take a 31-27 lead.

It was not over for the visitors as they insured they got the last laugh with a final minute try from Juan Martin Gonzalez after eight phases. Carreras added the extra two points to seal what can oly be described as an iconic win for the South American side.