Humiliating. Gutted. Fell off a cliff.
They’re some adjectives used to explain the Wallabies’ second match on tour in opposition to Los Pumas in Argentina, as Joe Schmidt’s facet copped a document hiding per week after sealing a gritty one-point win.
For half-hour it seemed just like the Wallabies have been on the cusp of going back-to-back in Argentina and rocketing up The Rugby Championship standings.
Then they have been hit by a wave of momentum that couldn’t flip round as Los Pumas discovered their ft and their fingers to blow away the Wallabies.
It began within the thirty first minute by fullback Juan Cruz Mallia, who turned what appear like being a superb exit from Jake Gordon into a possibility to assault.
The fullback managed to leap from exterior the sphere and play on shortly, earlier than beating Ben Donaldson within the air from Tomas Albornoz’s up-and-under and beginning a brand new wave of assault. Seconds later, the Pumas rubbed out Andrew Kellaway’s strive as winger Mateo Carreras burst onto Pablo Matera’s offload to attain.
Then Pumas captain Julian Montoya made a decisive turnover within the thirty fifth minute close to his 22m line, as he bought on the ball and received a clear turnover. Two minutes later, the hooker enjoying his a hundredth Take a look at, scored.
Within the blink of a watch, the Wallabies’ dominant opening half-hour counted for little as Los Pumas seized the momentum.
They by no means bought it again.
Joaquín Oviedo scores in opposition to the Wallabies at Brigadier Common Estanislao Lopez Stadium on September 7, 2024 in Santa Fe. (Photograph by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Pictures)
Angus Bell’s withdrawal at half-time, the place he joined Taniela Tupou on the bench, noticed the Wallabies lose any ascendency they’d generally play in addition to the scrum. It additionally uncovered the undermanned, underneath expert underbelly in Australian rugby.
Certainly, even with skilled duo James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa on the sphere, the Wallabies have been blown away within the second half conceding seven tries to 1 as they didn’t include Argentina’s free forwards.
Fundamentals errors, poor self-discipline and an incapability to gradual Argentina’s ball down both on the ruck or sturdy contact noticed the Wallabies slaughtered.
So how did the gamers price?
Andrew Kellaway – 6.5
Proven a yellow card within the ultimate seconds, Kellaway was the Wallabies’ greatest again. Kellaway seemed far more at residence at fullback as he bought his fingers on the ball usually within the first half. He scored Australia’s second strive with two touches.
Max Jorgensen – 4
The Wallabies’ youngest participant had a few good touches within the first-half however bought taught a world lesson within the second half. Jorgensen bodily isn’t but a top-tier worldwide participant regardless of being a participant of immense potential. His move again on the within to Kellaway was a great one, however the winger was additionally pressured into contact twice within the second half. Later, within the 74th minute, Jorgensen was smashed in touch and the Pumas counter-rucked and scored two phases later.
Len Ikitau – 5
After an affordable first-half, together with his fast fingers to Kellaway forward of the fullback’s strive, Ikitau’s little knock-on to start out the second half started the Wallabies’ second-half woes.
Hamish Stewart – 5
Benefitted from some fast ball within the first-half however struggled to say himself within the second half. Stewart made ten tackles however couldn’t get beneath Pablo Matera to stop the loose-forward’s strive within the second half.
Marika Koroibete – 4
The Japan-based winger’s knock-on within the forty third minute from an Argentine clearing kick was a coach killer. As Morgan Turinui stated in commentary: “That’s the primary two and a half minutes of the second half.” Later, Koroibete was chased down by fly-half Tomas Albornoz. The winger’s missed sort out on Lucio Cinti additionally allowed Juan Cruz Mallia to attain the primary of two tries.
Ben Donaldson – 5
After a extra commanding first-half, the place Donaldson’s determination to play flatter and play the brief facet forward of Kellaway’s strive proved efficient, the Wallabies fly-half struggled to show the tide within the second half and was changed after 56 minutes. That call was partially due to Donaldson’s incapability to clear his line lengthy and precisely.
Jake Gordon – 5
One other who had a robust opening 40 minutes, the Wallabies misplaced it after they have been penalised for not retreating within the 53rd minute. It was Gordon who bought pinged.
Harry Wilson – 6
One of many Wallabies’ higher performers, Wilson tried arduous all match – ten carries and 13 tackles – however was outplayed by his reverse. The performing captain and No.8 was additionally efficient on the lineout.
Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson reacts following his facet’s document loss to Argentina on September 7, 2024 in Santa Fe. (Photograph by Daniel Jayo/Getty Pictures)
Carlo Tizzano – 5
Led the way in which defensively with 17 tackles, however Tizzano couldn’t affect the match like he did per week earlier the place he received three turnovers.
Rob Valetini – 6
Dented the road within the first half however his meek carry within the forty seventh minute, the place he was pushed again over his line, summed up the Wallabies’ second half. The Wallabies have been flat. Valetini was nonetheless considered one of his facet’s greatest ball-carriers, however the blindside flanker wanted extra assist.
Jeremy Williams – 5
Efficient early with a few surging runs from the kick offs, Williams was efficient on the lineout however was performed out of the match the longer it went. The Drive lock made a lineout steal within the 53rd minute. He later turned the ball over in touch within the 74th minute.
Nick Frost – 6.5
By no means stopped making an attempt and was energetic on each side of the ball. Frost made 11 tackles, carried the ball on 11 events, introduced down a maul, and was a handful on the lineout for Argentina. However as efficient as Frost was, he nonetheless lacks a little bit of physicality.
Taniela Tupou – 6
Laid the platform for the Wallabies’ sturdy begin however was changed after 35 minutes. That claims all it is advisable find out about Tupou at current. Sure it was sizzling, however the Wallabies want nearer to 50 minutes out of their tight-head prop than 40 minutes.
Matt Faessler – 6
As soon as once more was sturdy together with his core roles, Faessler hit his targets and can play in opposition to the All Blacks.
Angus Bell – 7.5
The Wallabies’ greatest participant on the sphere. Bell was part of a robust set-piece within the opening half and was the Wallabies’ greatest ball-carrier. The problem was the 23-year-old was changed at half-time. Workload administration?
Reserves
Josh Nasser – 5
The substitute hooker made a vital and superb breakdown steal within the forty seventh minute. Sadly, Valetini was pushed again over his line the following part, leading to a five-metre scrum for the Pumas.
James Slipper – 3
In his record-equalling 139th Take a look at, Slipper struggled in opposition to a Pumas facet with their tails up. The loose-head prop was penalised a few instances on the scrum. The 35-year-old additionally was penalised for a no-arms sort out within the 62nd minute.
Allan Alaalatoa – 4
Approaching late within the second half, Alaalatoa wasn’t capable of decide up the place Tupou left off. The tight-head was crushed on the scrum, too.
Josh Canham – 4
After approaching within the ultimate 20 minutes, Canham was left clutching at straws a few instances because the Pumas’ offloading recreation got here to the fore.
Langi Gleeson – 4
Introduced some punch again to the Wallabies’ carry, however the substitute loose-forward wasn’t capable of gradual the Pumas’ ball down after approaching halfway by means of the second half.
Tate McDermott – 5
Scored a superb strive with some fast considering and quicker ft, however McDermott additionally kicked a ball out on the total from a field kick within the 61st minute. The blunder allowed Argentina to proceed to pepper the Wallabies.
Tom Lynagh – 4
Carried the ball again into the enamel of the defence as soon as, however wasn’t capable of affect the match in assault. Then once more, how may he given the Pumas’ second half dominance? One good conversion from out broad, too.
Josh Flook – N/A
Changed Ikitau halfway by means of the second half, Flook wasn’t capable of get his fingers on the ball nor decelerate Argentina’s waves of assault.
