Fast-finishing Australia lose 28-26 to Argentina in Sydney
Joe Schmidt’s side pay price for conceding 13 penalties
With their backs to the wall again after an error strewn hour had left them 18 points behind, the Wallabies looked forlornly to the Allianz Stadium grandstands and saw Rugby Australia chief Phil Waugh sitting with John Howard. Surely this was the omen they needed to emulate the former Prime Minister’s famous “Lazarus with a triple-bypass” comeback.
Joe Schmidt’s side have a reputation for rising from the ashes with last-gasp victories. They beat England in November with a last-play roll of the dice and they shocked Argentina last week with a try in overtime. On Saturday, in another rousing fightback before 41,912 in Sydney, they clawed their way back to trail 28-26 with seconds left on the clock.
But in a game marred by over-officious refereeing, Australia fell just short. Despite a controversial try to replacement winger Filipo Daugunu in the 79th minute that got them within striking distance, Australia fumbled the chance to start a Rugby Championship with three wins in four matches for the first time since 2011. Australia outscored Argentina four tries to one, but they conceded 13 penalties to Argentina’s five, allowing the Pumas deadeye Santi Carreras to kick eight from eight from the tee and square the head-to-head series at one-all.
