Wallabies v Argentina: The history of thrillers and epic counters ahead of the next chapter

Thu, Aug 29, 2024, 4:23 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

The Wallabies v Argentina's recent history is filled with classic encounters and comebacks that have defined the rivalry.

No team has drawn more with the Wallabies than Los Pumas across their 39 games since 1979.

Tickets to 2024 Wallabies home Tests are available here.

Argentina's win over the All Blacks showed their class and a return to home soil will bring the best out of the passionate side.

With this in mind, rugby.com.au breaks down some of the greatest encounters in the Rugby Championship.

2012 - The great escape

The opening match of Argentina’s inclusion set the tempo for the rivalry as Australia was forced to rally late for a 23-19 win.

Seventeen unanswered points in the final 20 minutes saved their blushes after Argentina scored twice in the space of three minutes.

Quade Cooper’s pass set up a Pat McCabe try, followed by halfback Nick Phipps putting Digby Ioane over the line to put them in front with ten minutes to go. 

Kurtley Beale booted a penalty in the final minute to seal the game 

2014 - The breakthrough win

Two years later, Argentina scored a major upset over the Wallabies in Mendoza, their first in the Rugby Championship. 

After leading 14-0 early in the piece, the Wallabies lost Michael Hooper and Nick Phipps to yellow cards in the second half, opening up opportunities for the Argentinians. 

Juan Imhoff and Leonardo Senatore struck either side of the break before Nicholas Sanchez booted the final penalty in the dying minutes to secure the Pumas’ 21-17 win.

2018 - The Cheika spray

The Wallabies produced their biggest comeback in their history to turn a 31-7 deficit into a 45-31 win.

Having lost eight of their last 10 Tests and staring down the barrel of a first Rugby Championship wooden spoon, coach Michael Cheika delivered an incredible spray at half-time to inspire a sudden second half turnaround.

Dane Haylett-Petty crossed twice as part of five second half tries to stun an Argentina side left wondering what had just happened.

2020 - The drawn series

Nothing sums up the battle between the two sides than their pair of draws in 2020.

It started in Newcastle when Reece Hodge’s potential match-winning penalty missed its mark as they were locked at 15-all.

It was a similar result in Parramatta as the two sides again played out a 16-all draw, with a late Michael Hooper try saving the Aussies from defeat.

2023 - The final second buzzer-beater

Their last encounter was one for the ages as both teams traded tries in the final minutes.

The Wallabies looked set for their first win under Eddie Jones after Samu Kerevi crossed followed by a Mark Nawaqanitawase intercept on his line.

However, Argentina continued to pour on the pressure and found the line in the final minute through Juan Martin Gonzalez to break Australian hearts.

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