The Wallabies were awarded three kickable penalties after the 80th minute, but kept pushing the envelope in search of the match-winning try which was finally delivered by an unlikely hero in prop Angus Bell.
It looked like it was all over when Pumas fullback Juan Cruz Mallia kicked the visitors ahead with a 79th minute penalty goal to snatch the lead, before Australia was rewarded for brave play with the famous victory.
Wallabies superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii crossed for a double as Australia shrugged off a sluggish first half to secure a thrilling victory in front of 20,163 spectators.
Argentina seized control of the game late in the first half with a 15-point flurry as both Pumas wingers scored a try in the span of five minutes, with each of the scintillating plays coming directly from scrums in Argentina’s half.
The first came following a linebreak by Santiago Chocobares, who linked with fullback Juan Cruz Mallia to put Bautista Delguy over in the right corner, before Mateo Carreras was the beneficiary of sharp interplay down the left touch-line.
Trailing by 14 points at the break, Australia looked down and out until Suaalii’s heroics sparked a comeback for the ages.
Wallabies captain Harry WIlson said
“It was obviously pretty stressful, but I spoke to some key leaders in our team and they sort of felt we should back ourselves,” Wilson said.
“It always gives you a bit of confidence when you look at the forward pack and the boys didn’t want to draw it – we wanted to win it,
“From there, to be able to actually get across the line was a real credit to the forward pack, because we had a plan there and we stuck to it.
“I’m just so proud of the team because we weren’t at our best today, but we found a way to win against a very, very good opposition.”
WALLABIES THEIR OWN WORST ENEMIES
Australia’s discipline and ball control proved costly in the first half, with a 9-3 penalty count in Argentina’s favour making it far too easy for the visitors.
Silly penalties around the 22 metre line gifted the Pumas nine points from Mateo Carreras’ boot, while both of Argentina’s tries came directly from scrums.
The poor first-half showing allowed Los Pumas to carry a 14-point lead into a break despite the Wallabies having more possession and territory, and 45 carries to Argentina’s 30.
Australia was far better in the second half, playing half an hour before giving away their first infringement.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said his side would need to sort out its first half performances before taking on Argentina again next week in Sydney.
“I’m really proud of the way the players came back. I’m a little bit disconcerted by these headstarts that teams have taken, but Los Pumas are a very good team,” Schmidt said.
“They built themselves out to a 21-7 lead by halftime. So that’s something that we’ve got to probably reflect on in a more sober light.
“But in a more euphoric moment at the end of 86 minutes, or whatever it was, to come away with the win is reassuring.
“Just that belief is there, and we could build our way back from the deficit.”
FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE
Admit it Wallabies fans, how many of you would have opted to take the three at the end and walk away with a draw?
Australia was certainly rewarded for its ambitious play, refusing to take the easy option and fighting with tooth and claw to win one of the best victories in Wallabies history.
Pumas coach Felipe Contepomi congratulated the Wallabies for their ambitious decision.
“Congratulations to Australia. I think they deserved it. They went for it, and I think it’s a well-deserved win,” he said.
“When you want to go for a win and you get it, it’s great. So good mindset from them.
“We’ve done some good things, some others not too good, and we need to learn – and quickly. There were too many individual errors, especially in the second half, which cost us highly.”
WALLABIES: 28 (N. White, J. Suaalii (2), A. Bell tries; T. Lynagh (2/2), J. O’Connor (2/2) conversions)
PUMAS: 24 (B. Delguy, M. Carreras tries; M. Carreras (1/2) conversions; M. Carreras (3/3), J. Cruz Mallia (1/1) penalty goals)