Last-gasp try as Argentina upset Australia 34-31

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 00:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SYDNEY, AFP: Juan Martin Gonzalez scored a last-minute try as Argentina clocked back-to-back victories over the Wallabies for the first time Saturday, in a stirring 34-31 win to ramp up pressure on Australia coach Eddie Jones.

The home side streaked into a 10-0 lead at Sydney’s Parramatta Stadium, but Los Pumas won the next 17 points to take control and held their nerve to finish in style for a confidence-boosting victory ahead of the World Cup.

Both sides ran in four tries in the thrilling Rugby Championship arm-wrestle, with a single penalty making the difference.

The home side thought they had won it when Mark Nawaqanitawase ran the length of the pitch for an intercept try with four minutes left.

But the visitors never gave in, with Gonzalez flopping over in the final minute from a rolling maul.

Argentina beat the Wallabies 48-17 last year in Mendoza and, while the scoreline in Sydney was not as emphatic, it was history-making as the first time they have gone back-to-back.

The victory gave Coach Michael Cheika breathing room after they slumped 41-12 to a clinical New Zealand in the competition’s opening weekend, and he was ecstatic.