MENDOZA — The Wallabies' four-match winning streak under coach Les Kiss came to an abrupt halt as Australia drew 28-28 with Argentina in a gripping encounter. Despite a late two-man advantage, Australia failed to capitalize, resulting in a share of the spoils. The match, characterized by intense forward play and dramatic moments, saw both teams trading blows until the final whistle.
Coach Les Kiss expressed his disappointment post-match, highlighting missed opportunities that could have secured a victory. 'We were up two tries to nil in that first half, and just gave them field position, gave them opportunity, and that brought the crowd back in, that brought the energy back into their game,' Kiss lamented. Despite the draw, the Wallabies secured a 1-0 series win, their first in Argentina, bringing some momentum and confidence to the squad.
The game was a physical battle, with Australian playmaker Carter Gordon suffering an injury late in the second half. Argentina, on the other hand, managed to halt a run of three straight defeats, though they remain on just one victory this year, against Wales in July. The match saw several key moments, including a yellow card for Australia lock Jeremy Williams, which allowed Argentina to score despite being a man down themselves.
Australia opened the scoring with a try from captain Harry Wilson, followed by an extended lead when Max Jorgensen scored after Pumas lock Franco Molina was sent to the bin. The game turned when Argentina's captain Pablo Matera scored despite his team being a man down, leveling the scores at 14-14 by halftime. The second half saw a continuation of the forward-dominated play, with both teams exchanging tries until the final moments.
The dramatic finish included Argentina receiving two yellow cards in quick succession, leading to a penalty try that leveled the scores at 28-28. Despite playing the last 10 minutes with a significant advantage, Australia could not secure a winning score. 'We put ourselves in the position to win... we're hurting, we really wanted to win that,' said Wilson. 'But to bring back the trophy's great... it brings some momentum and confidence into the group.'
The draw marks the end of Kiss's winning streak but provides valuable lessons and momentum for future matches. The Wallabies' performance, though not resulting in a victory, showcased resilience and the ability to compete at a high level, setting a positive tone for upcoming challenges.
