Wallabies denied historic sweep in chaotic finish as 13-man Pumas survive late thriller
The Wallabies have been denied a historic sweep of Argentina after a chaotic finish in Mendoza saw Australia and the Pumas play out a thrilling 28-28 draw.
Australia entered the second Test chasing a fifth consecutive victory and the chance to win both Tests on Argentine soil for the first time, but couldn’t capitalise after the Pumas were reduced to 13 men late in the contest.
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The Wallabies looked in control early after Harry Wilson crossed for the opening try in the 22nd minute before Max Jorgensen finished off another Australian attack to extend the advantage to 14-0.
But Argentina came roaring back before the break.
Pablo Matera powered over to cut the deficit before the Pumas struck again through Justo Piccardo Mendy, sending the two sides into halftime locked at 14-14.
Australia regained the lead shortly after the restart when Fraser McReight powered over from close range, with Ryan Lonergan’s conversion restoring the seven-point advantage.
But once again, Argentina responded.
Ignacio Ruiz crossed to level the scores before a relentless 23-phase attacking sequence ended with Matera crashing over for his second try of the night.
The conversion put Argentina ahead for the first time at 28-21 and suddenly had the Wallabies staring at the prospect of their winning run coming to an end.
But the Test was about to take another dramatic turn.
Lucio Cinti was shown a yellow card before the Pumas were reduced to 13 men when a deliberate knockdown stopped Australia as they threatened out wide.
The infringement resulted in a penalty try, levelling the scores at 28-28 and giving the Wallabies a golden opportunity to steal the Test against a severely undermanned Argentina.
Australia threatened again late, with Jorgensen making a dangerous run through the middle before the Wallabies shifted the ball wide.
The visitors eventually worked their way deep into Pumas territory inside the final two minutes, but a crucial knock-on brought the attack undone and handed Argentina a scrum.
Then came a frantic final passage.
The Pumas attempted to run the ball from inside their own 22 as Australia desperately searched for the turnover that could have presented one final opportunity to win the Test.
Fraser McReight threatened to pinch possession before Harry Wilson smashed Nicolás Roger as Argentina were sent backwards by a desperate Wallabies defence.
But Australia couldn’t force the decisive turnover.
With the Pumas struggling to escape their own territory, Roger eventually kicked the ball into touch to bring the pulsating Test to an end at 28-28.
Roger collapsed to his haunches after ending the contest as both sides were forced to settle for a draw following a chaotic finish in Mendoza.
The result denied the Wallabies a fifth consecutive victory and the chance to complete a historic sweep on Argentine soil, but Australia still finished its two-Test campaign unbeaten after taking out the opening clash before Saturday’s dramatic draw.
