Australia completed another big-time comeback in the 2025 Rugby Championship, overturning a 21–7 half-time deficit to defeat Argentina 28–24.
After conceding two superb long-range strike-play tries, the Wallabies had to endure the raucous cheers from the passionate Argentine fans in the stands. Staying composed after being read the riot act by Joe Schmidt at the break, the Wallabies pounced early in the second half as Joseph Sua’ali’i claimed two tries.
This set up a grandstand finish with time winding down. Three minutes from full-time, Los Pumas were handed a lifeline as Juan Cruz Mallía drilled a 40-metre go-ahead penalty.
Now seemingly set to spoil the Wallabies’ party, Los Pumas battened down the hatches. Yet under immense pressure, their defence and discipline began to crack. Conceding five penalties inside their 22, Argentina gave their hosts chance after chance, and they duly took them. Barging over in the 85th minute, Angus Bell sent Townsville into a frenzy as he secured the win for his side.
Here is how the Wallabies players fared in their round three clash.
1. Tom Robertson – 6
Struggled early at scrum time against Joel Sclavi, conceding an early penalty for slipping his bind. Overcame this setback well, rebounding to earn a few free kicks and penalties of his own. In open play, the loosehead was busy, making five carries before being replaced at half-time.
2. Billy Pollard – 6.5
Put in another big 60-minute shift, hitting his markers at line-out time, getting through his defensive work (nine tackles) and contributing with tight carries.
3. Taniela Tupou – 6
Emptied the tank in the first half before being replaced at half-time after a bruising battle with Mayco Vivas. Conceding two penalties will frustrate him, but overall, it was a solid showing.
4. Nick Frost – 7.5
Carried beautifully off a line-out in the 25th minute before freeing his hands to find Nic White for the opening try. Through the first half-hour, the lock was the Wallabies’ go-to carrier. At line-out time, he was once again a force of nature as Australia’s key banker.
5. Tom Hooper – 7
Shifted to the engine room after impressing with his physicality in South Africa in the No. 6 shirt. Continued that form with a strong defensive shift, making 12 tackles, winning a turnover and claiming four lineouts. Hooper has quickly established himself as a key member of the Wallabies pack.
6. Rob Valetini – 7
A clear focal point for the Wallabies’ attack, the bruising Brumbies back-row carried frequently. His one blemish came in the 27th minute with a knock-on that gave Los Pumas the scrum platform for their first long-range try.
7. Fraser McReight – 6.5
Relatively quiet by his high standards but still had his moments. Got through nine tackles, won a turnover and carried six times in an 80-minute shift.
8. Harry Wilson (c) – 8
Shades of Kieran Read? The skipper is such a clever rugby player with underrated skills, most notably his grubber kick and charge-down in the 60th minute that put Los Pumas under pressure. That sequence directly led to Matteo Carreras conceding a penalty spree, a yellow card, and a quick-fire Wallabies try. Claimed a banker line-out in the 82nd minute that laid the platform for victory.
9. Nic White – 7
Pounced as he has done all career with a superb trail-running try after Frost’s offload. Ripped out 53 passes, nailed several pinpoint box kicks and marshalled his inexperienced fly-half well. White’s farewell tour continues in style.
10. Tom Lynagh – 7
Brave to a fault, the returning fly-half was peppered with high balls and coped superbly. Defensively, he stood tall, though his missed tackle on Santiago Chocobares for Los Pumas’ opener was poor. His kicking for touch was excellent, especially in the 23rd minute when he drove his side up to Argentina’s 5-metre line. Attack-wise, he looked a little limited, with Pumas defenders targeting his carriers rather than him. Left in the 56th minute with a slight limp after a solid, improving display.
11. Corey Toole – 6
Looked lively in attack when he went looking for work, but defensively was exposed at times, with Los Pumas targeting him. On kick chas,e he was immense, forcing a crucial knock-on in the 69th minute to set up a Wallabies scrum. A turnover win and a huge tackle proved he is more than just a flash attacker.
12. Len Ikitau – 8.5
Did not quite link with his outside centre early, but quickly turned it around. Became central to the build-up for Wallabies tries, often taking on the hard yards as the first carrier off set-piece. His knock-on in the 74th minute was frustrating, but it does not detract from a highly influential display. Topped the carry charts with 16 and delivered three try assists that ultimately proved decisive.
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – 7.5
Ran hard lines off Lynagh but was contained in the first half. Persistence paid off in the 47th minute with a powerful try, then dazzled with footwork and strength to score again 15 minutes later. A game-changing impact.
14. Max Jorgensen – 6.5
Anonymous in the first half but burst to life after the break. Beat three defenders with his first three carries and added a kicking threat. Finished with five defenders beaten and played a big part in the comeback.
15. Andrew Kellaway – 7.5
Handled the backfield well and was a leading attacker with 96 metres carried. Broke the line, beat two defenders and offered important attacking touches. Kicking was good aside from one long-range clearance that went dead, but he was bailed out by a penalty. Strong display overall in replacing Tom Wright.
Replacements16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 7
Matched Tupou’s impact and upped the tempo. Subtle hands in the 71st minute got his pack rolling, though undone by a Bell infringement. Found Wilson with the key late line-out and drove the tap-and-go attacks that led to the match-winning try.
17. Angus Bell – 8
Brought the impact Joe Schmidt relies on. Immediately rumbled into contact and finished with the decisive try.
18. Zane Nonggorr – 5.5
Struggled to keep the scrum dominant and conceded a couple of free kicks. Busy defensively with six tackles and had a few ruck contributions in attack.
19. Jeremy Williams – 6
Picked up where Frost left off with four tackles and a couple of good carries in his 20 minutes. Worked hard in the lead-up to the winning try.
20. Carlo Tizzano – 7
Conceded the penalty that allowed Los Pumas to briefly retake the lead, but was otherwise excellent. Six carries in 20 minutes, including a line break, provided vital impact.
21. Tate McDermott – 7.5
Brought energy to the attack and did well to clear the ball under pressure from a struggling scrum, especially in the 79th minute. Understandably, Schmidt clearly values what the Reds’ nine brings from the bench despite him clearly being the best Australian scrumhalf at the moment.
22. James O’Connor – 8
Outstanding as an impact player. Instantly lifted the Wallabies’ attack with incisive carrying, slick passing and a smart short kicking game. Nailed a clutch penalty to touch in the 82nd minute that set up the platform for the win.
23. Filipo Daugunu – N/A
Unused replacement.
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