Australia secured a dramatic 28-24 victory over Argentina in Townsville on Saturday, with prop Angus Bell crossing in the 86th minute to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The Wallabies trailed by three points with 90 seconds remaining but opted against a match-tying penalty, instead pushing for a try that Bell delivered.
The hosts had trailed 21-7 at half-time after a dominant spell from Argentina. The Pumas scored three tries in 13 minutes before the break, with winger Bautista Delguy and Mateo Carreras both crossing. A forward pass from Tom Hooper and a mix-up between Tom Lynagh and Andrew Kellaway gifted Argentina further opportunities.
Australia turned the game around in the second half. Len Ikitau's offload put Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii over, and Suaalii added a second after a yellow card to Carreras. James O'Connor's conversion levelled the scores at 21-21. Argentina edged ahead through a Juan Cruz Mallia penalty, but the Wallabies mounted a final assault.
“We could have gone for goal and taken the draw but everyone believed we could finish the job,” captain Harry Wilson said. “Everyone feeling the moment and there were 25,000 fans pleading for us to tap it. To find a way against a really good opposition is a real credit.”
The win continues the momentum built under outgoing coach Joe Schmidt, following a historic comeback victory over South Africa at Ellis Park. Argentina had led 6-0 early after two penalties from Taniela Tupou's no-arm tackles, but Australia's grit in the final quarter proved decisive.
