Donaldson kicks Australia to last-gasp victory in Argentina

Australia ended their two-year winless run in the Rugby Championship

Australia kicked a last-gasp penalty to edge hosts Argentina 20-19 in La Plata and claim their first victory of the 2024 Rugby Championship at the third time of asking.

The Wallabies trailed going into the dying minutes in abysmal weather conditions at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, but substitute Ben Donaldson slotted the final kick of the game over to secure Australia’s first victory in the competition since August 2022.

Australia outscored their hosts two tries to one with Jake Gordon and Rob Valetini both going over, fly-half Noah Lolesio adding a penalty and two conversions.

Juan Martin Gonzalez crossed early for Argentina while Santiago Carreras contributed 11 points from the tee with three penalties and a conversion.

The victory provided a timely tonic for the Wallabies after being comprehensively beaten at home by South Africa in their opening two matches of this year’s championship, though they remain rooted to the bottom of the standings at the halfway mark.

“[I’m] really proud,” said Australia coach Joe Schmidt. “We have a lot of work to do but we’re pleased to get the four points and we’re in the contest.”

Australia captain Harry Wilson, who skippered the Wallabies for the first time, added: “It gives us a lot more confidence. We’re a young group and we’ve been building since the start of the year.

“We played some decent footie against the Boks, but they’re the best in the world and we didn’t get the results there. It felt as if we improved in those games and then, tonight, we showed some more improvement. Just to get the win gives us that little bit more confidence to keep improving.”

Ben Donaldson held his nerve to kick Australia to victory with the final kick of the game

After repelling more than 30 phases from Australia from kick-off, Argentina opened the scoring with a 12th-minute Carreras penalty before a driving maul saw Gonzalez cross for their first try three minutes later.

Argentina’s defence were busier than their attack, however, and they held out under persistent attack from the visitors until the Wallabies eventually managed to prise them open with a 27th-minute try from scrum-half Gordon, after Tom Wright had burst through following some slick passing moves.

Argentina led 13-7 at the break as Carreras put over a second penalty and the fly-half added a third five minutes after the break to further extend the lead.

Australia reduced the deficit to two points in the 50th minute with a try from Valetini after Len Ikitau beat two defenders with a break and quick ball thereafter saw them work their way over the line.

As the rain lashed down, a penalty from the boot of Lolesio put Australia into the lead for the first time on the hour, but with 10 minutes remaining Argentina their lead through a Tomas Albornoz penalty.

Australia had the attacking impetus in the closing stages and Argentina gave away a needless penalty right in front of their own posts with a minute remaining for infringing at the ruck.

Donaldson, who had come on a minute earlier for Lolesio, had the easiest of tasks to put the ball over and get Australia off and running.

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