Australia ended their eight-match losing streak in the Rugby Championship with a dramatic victory over Argentina, thanks to a late penalty by Ben Donaldson. The 25-year-old kicked the decisive penalty as the final play of the game, securing a 20-18 win for the Wallabies at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi in La Plata. This marked Australia's first Rugby Championship win since 2022.
The match saw Australia trailing for much of the game, down 10-0 and 16-7 at different points. Despite challenging conditions and heavy rain, the Wallabies mounted a comeback with tries from Jake Gordon and Rob Valetini, and contributions from Noah Lolesio, who added a penalty and two conversions. The game was further complicated when the clock had surpassed 80 minutes before Donaldson's penalty was taken, causing confusion among the Argentine players and leading to a tense finish.
Argentina's only try came from Juan Martinez Gonzalez, with Santiago Carreras contributing several penalties to give the Pumas a strong lead. The final moments were fraught with tension, as the Argentine players surrounded the referee, questioning the timing of the penalty and the game's conclusion.
Although Australia’s win provided much-needed relief, the team remains at the bottom of the standings, trailing behind Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa. They will face Argentina again in a rematch on September 7 in Sante Fe, before hosting the British and Irish Lions next year. Despite the victory, the Wallabies still have significant ground to make up in the tournament standings.
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