Carreras‘ Boot Secures Dramatic win for Argentina Over australia
SYDNEY, Australia – Santiago Carreras’ 23 points from the tee propelled Argentina to a nail-biting 28-26 victory over Australia at Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday, revitalizing the Pumas’ Rugby Championship campaign.The win comes a week after Argentina narrowly lost to Australia 28-24 in Townsville, letting a 14-point lead slip.
Argentina’s lone try came from captain Julian Montoya, while Carreras proved decisive with seven penalties and a conversion. Despite a late surge from the Wallabies – featuring two tries from Filipo Daugunu and one from Andrew Kellaway – the Pumas held on for a hard-fought win.
James O’Connor’s conversion of Daugunu’s second try brought Australia within two points in the 80th minute, but an errant pass ended their final attack. A late penalty against Max jorgensen sealed the result for Argentina after the final siren.
“It was so emotional in the last 15 minutes,” said Carreras, who successfully kicked all eight of his attempts. “It was such an amazing game to watch (for the crowd). I’m really proud of the boys for this win.”
Australia’s Joseph Suaalii opened the scoring with a try in the fifth minute, but the hosts struggled to build momentum. A yellow card to Jorgensen for a deliberate knock-down further hampered their efforts.
The Wallabies, who secured a last-gasp victory over Argentina in Townsville thanks to a try from Angus Bell after full-time, were left frustrated by another slow start.
“Absolutely spent. Devastated,” said Australian loose forward Fraser McReight. “A credit to Argentina. we did the same thing last week.Gave them a big head-start and they’re a great team. The effort from the lads to dig in especially in that second half, to come back from where we were…just spent.”
A controversial call allowing a potential forward pass to Daugunu for his second try added to the drama, but ultimately, Argentina’s discipline and Carreras’ accuracy proved the difference.
