The Wallabies turned down three chances to take a draw after full-time, before scoring a match-winning try to down Argentina in Townsville.
Angus Bell scored from close range in the sixth minute after the siren to secure the 28-24 win over Los Pumas.
The Wallabies trailed by three points but had the ball when the full-time siren sounded.
Over the next six minutes, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson would turn down three chances to kick for goal, which would have earned a draw.
The all-or-nothing gamble paid off for the Wallabies in front of a raucous crowd at Townsville Stadium, who Wilson said were responsible for Australia’s late decision-making.
“Full credit to the team. We could have went for goal and taken the draw. It was a tough game, but everyone believed we could finish the job,” Wilson told broadcaster Channel Nine.
“The boys wanted to win the game, might as well back them.
“25,000 people pleading for us to tap it and try and win the game. It was the difference in the choice at the end.”
Los Pumas, cheered on by a big contingent of Argentinian supporters, held a 21-7 lead at half-time.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii scored two tries to bring the Wallabies back from a 14-point deficit against Argentina. (AAP: Dave Hunt)
But two second-half tries to Wallabies outside centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii brought the Wallabies back to parity with 15 minutes to play.
Argentina took the lead with less than two minutes remaining, when fullback Juan Cruz Mallia slotted the visitors’ fourth penalty goal of the match.
But Los Pumas fumbled the ball from the restart, giving Australia a chance to launch a final attack.
Relive the Rugby Championship Test match between the Wallabies and Argentina on the ABC Sport live blog below.
Key Events
4h ago4 hours agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 7:09am
4h ago4 hours agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:51am
4h ago4 hours agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:46am
Show all key events6h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 4:53amLive: Wallabies vs Argentina
3h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 8:08am
That is all for today’s rugby blog
We have enjoyed a terrific Test match.
Argentina looked set for a great victory.
The Wallabies — three times — had the option of kicking a goal to draw the Test.
But the men in gold, went for gold, and scored the match-winning try.
This is where we end today’s rugby union blog.
ABC Sport will be back next Saturday for more live digital coverage of the Wallabies vs Argentina, from Sydney.
We hope you join us then.
Goodnight.
3h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 7:49am
Wallabies coach says there is still improvement to come
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has said he was not pleased his side was down by 14 points at half-time.
Argentina scored 15 points in the final 11 minutes of the first half to establish a good lead.
Schmidt has told Channel Nine that his side will be working on scrum defence, which is where Argentina scored both of their tries.
“It’s killing me. I’d rather we didn’t give them that big lead. But, I’m massively proud of them,” Schmidt says.
“We knew that Argentina are sharp … those two tries from a midfield scrum, we’ve got to defend better than that.
“So that will be a work-on this week.”
3h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 7:43am
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt speaks about Australia’s attacking mindset
The Wallabies turned down three opportunities to kick a goal and take a draw.
Instead, they went for the win, and they scored six minutes after the full-time siren.
“I’m just an enthusiastic supporter at that stage,” Schmidt told broadcaster Channel Nine.
The Wallabies coach was full of praise for his team, but admitted there was a moment he was not a fan of.
On the third penalty the Wallabies were awarded, it appeared Australia was going to kick for touch. Captain Harry Wilson then elected to tap-kick, which was welcomed by Schmidt.
“I like their process, their decision-making, at one stage [James O’Connor] was going to take the kick for touch. I wasn’t really in support of that, so there was a little message went on there, but Harry had already changed the call.”
3h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 7:20am
Your thoughts are the Wallabies pull off a comeback Test win
Wow, what a finish. Argentina will be disappointed but we’re over the moon – keep it coming Wallabies …
– Mike
A very ugly win. A very scratchy performance. Disjointed, poor execution and poor completion It’s good to win though
– Greg
Wow!!!
– Steph in Melbourne
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 7:09amWATCH: Australia’s match-winning try
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 7:07am
Wallabies captain says Aussie fans inspired the decision to go for the win
How’s the crowd Michael? Can they make a difference?
– Rick in a plane
Rick.
You sent this question with about 20 minutes left in this match.
The answer to your question is, YES.
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson said the crowd influenced the Wallabies’ decision-making at the end of the Test match.
Wilson was asked how he came to the decision to go for the win:
“Leadership group on the field. Everyone sort of feeling the moment — and the crowd,” Wilson says.
“25,000 people pleading for us to tap it and try and win the game. It was the difference in the choice at the end.”
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 7:02am
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson says he backed his team
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson is speaking to broadcaster Channel Nine.
It was his decision to turn down three chances at a penalty goal, seeking victory rather than a draw.
“Full credit to the team. We could have went for goal and taken the draw. It was a tough game, but everyone believed we could finish the job,” he says.
“The boys wanted to win the game, might as well back them.”
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:57am
‘Proud to be a Wallaby’: Kellaway reflects on Australia’s win
Australia fullback Andrew Kellaway was very good this afternoon.
He cleaned in defence and was a threat in attack.
He is speaking to Channel Nine.
“I think everyone was a bit delirious at the end, it was so warm,” he says, referencing the heat in Townsville.
“Argentina really stuck it to us for 78 minutes, and we were lucky at the end.”
Reflecting on the decision to turn down a match-drawing penalty goal three times, Kellaway heaped a ton of praise on Wallabies captain Harry Wilson.
“Proud of Wilso [Wilson] to make that decision under the pump,’ Kellaway says.
“It’s not every day you get your captain to stand up and say ‘we’re going for it’.
“Just proud to be a Wallaby today.”
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:51amMatch winner Angus Bell speaks after the Wallabies’ win
Australia were given three penalties, which were all in James O’Connor’s range.
Two of those chances were gimmes for O’Connor.
But the Wallabies turned down a certain draw, in the hopes of victory.
Angus Bell scored the match-winning try, and he is speaking on Channel Nine now.
“It’s just relieving, Bell says.
“We’ve been working hard all week to build on the performances we had over in South Africa.
“It’s just awesome we could get the win in the end; not go for the points (penalty goal), and back our system.”
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:46amFULL-TIME: Wallabies 28 def. Argentina 24
— reporting by AAP
The Wallabies have turned down three opportunities to kick a match-tying penalty and instead scored an 86th-minute winner in their latest Houdini Test act.
Australia beat Argentina 28-24 in Townsville on Saturday afternoon, with Angus Bell’s barging try coming after the Wallabies trailed by three points with 90 seconds to go.
They had trailed 21-7 at half-time but launched a brilliant second-half rally.
It came two Tests after a stunning, historic comeback defeat of South Africa at Ellis Park and continues the momentum outgoing coach Joe Schmidt has created in the past 12 months.
In front of 20,162 fans, Argentina thought they had pinched it with a 79th-minute penalty after the hosts had levelled at 21-21 but then failed to land the killer blow.
A jarring 15-point punch in just 13 minutes approaching halftime broke the game open for the visitors after a spluttering first half hour.
Angus Bell (right) of the Wallabies celebrates scoring the match-winning try with Brandon Paenga-Amosa (left). (Getty)
Argentina led 6-0 thanks to penalty goals when Taniela Tupou was twice pinged for making no-arm tackles in an opening that didn’t deliver the running rugby most expected.
Australia steadied and, after a 20-minute hydration break, eventually cracked the line.
Nic White darted through the space after Harry Wilson had peeled off the back of a lineout to get the hosts on the front foot.
But, with the Wallabies on the charge again, Rob Valetini knocked on and Los Pumas pounced.
First they shifted to the blind side of a scrum, with winger Bautista Delguy finishing the slick move.
Tom Hooper’s forward pass minutes later gave them another scrum from a similar position and Argentina schemed to the open side with a set play finished by winger Mateo Carreras.
Returning fly half Tom Lynagh and Andrew Kellaway, replacing the injured Tom Wright at fullback, then got tangled up inside their 22 and Carreras accepted another gift three-pointer.
Bell’s introduction gave Australia impetus that was converted when Len Ikitau’s offload put Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii over.
The contest opened up from there.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii scored twice for the Wallabies in the second half (AAP)
Lynagh was replaced by James O’Connor for the final quarter after suffering another concussion.
The Wallabies pushed again and Carreras was yellow-carded for Argentina’s repeated infringements.
Suaalii pounced, beating two to score his second before O’Connor’s conversion levelled the scores.
The hosts had all the running in the final 15 minutes but were denied the go-ahead score.
In a rare attacking raid Argentina found a penalty with Carlo Tizzano caught in a ruck and fullback Juan Cruz Mallia kicked a penalty before Australia’s audacious final push.
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:40am80+6′: TRY AUSTRALIA. Angus Bell wins it for the Wallabies
TRY AUSTRALIA.
VICTORY AUSTRALIA.
The Wallabies went for the tap kick.
They had two pick-and-drives, then a pass to the left.
Len Ikitau give a beautiful pop pass to reserve prop Angus Bell.
The big man grabs the footy with defenders in his face, holds onto it like his career depends on it, then drives for the line.
TRY. TRY. TRY.
The crowd in Townsville has gone wild.
The Wallabies turned down three opportunities to tie the match.
They went all-in and hit the jackpot!
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:40am
Australia still going for the win
The Wallabies tap and go.
They get close.
Pick and drive. Australia is one metre away.
ADVANTAGE.
James O’Connor kicks for the corner. Max Jorgensen catches the ball, throws it inside, but the ball goes forward.
PENALTY AUSTRALIA.
AUSTRALIA TAPS.
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:37amAustralia has a lineout 10 metres from the goal line
The Wallabies win the lineout and go for the maul.
Los Pumas defend the ball well.
ADVANTAGE AUSTRALIA!
The Wallabies are five metres away.
PENALTY AWARDED.
It is a gimme kick if Australia want it.
AUSTRALIA GO FOR THE TAP!
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:35am
80′ Australia has one more chance
The Wallabies trail by three points.
They have a scrum, 40 metres from the Los Pumas’ goal line.
Full-time siren sounds.
The Wallabies have the ball, and the Wallabies have an advantage.
PENALTY AWARDED.
AUSTRALIA IS GOING FOR THE LINEOUT!
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:34am79′ PENALTY GOAL: Argentina lead 21-21
Juan Cruz Mallia kicks Argentina’s fourth penalty goal of the match.
Is that the match winner? Los Pumas lead 24-21 with less than two minutes to play.
Argentina finally got the ball inside Australia’s half and started to spread the ball.
Los Pumas nearly broke through the line a few times.
Los Pumas fullback Juan Cruz Mallia nearly achieved a linebreak, but reserve Wallabies forward Carlo Tizzano made a clutch tackle.
But Tizzano did not roll out of the ruck, and Argentina were awarded the penalty.
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:31am
75′ Scores still level as both teams make mistakes
The past five minutes have been spent inside Argentina’s half.
The Wallabies had an excellent chance near the goal line, but Los Pumas were excellent in defence.
Argentina were then held up in a maul, and gave Australia the ball back.
But the Wallabies knocked on immediately off the scrum.
Five minutes to go.
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:24amTEN MINUTES TO GO: Australia 21 — 21 Argentina
4h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:22am
67′ Wallabies miss a chance
Los Pumas a breathing a sigh of relief.
Wallabies fullback Andrew Kellaway put in a little grubber kick on halfway, then he kicks off the ground and regathered.
Los Pumas are scrambling and tackle Kellaway on the 22m.
The Wallabies shift to the left, Los Pumas’ defence is in all sorts.
But there is a knock-on in the tackle. If Australia could hold onto that ball, there was a big opportunity to score.
5h agoSat 6 Sep 2025 at 6:16am63′ TRY: Suaalii has a double for the Wallabies
It’s a second half double for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
The Wallabies had a line out five metres from the Argentine line.
Los Pumas defended the maul well, but with the disadvantage of the sin bin, defending the ball when Australia went to the backs was going to be tough.
Australia have two phases in the middle, then the ball is given to Suaaliim who beats his defender and scores.
James O’Connor kicks the conversion.
Australia 21
Argentins 21
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