Australia end losing run with last-gasp win in Argentina

2024 Rugby Championship

Australia 20 (7)

Tries: Gordon, Valetini Cons: Lolesio (2) Pens: Lolesio, Donaldson

Argentina 19 (13)

Try: Gonzalez Con: Carreras Pens: Carreras (3), Albornoz

Australia ended their eight-match Rugby Championship losing streak arsenic Ben Donaldson's precocious punishment earned nan Wallabies a 20-19 triumph against Argentina successful La Plata.

Donaldson, 25, slotted complete from adjacent scope pinch nan past play of nan crippled to springiness nan Wallabies their first Rugby Championship triumph since 2022.

The Pumas were penalised pinch nan timepiece connected 78:48 but play was not stopped until 79:12 and Donaldson kicked nan punishment erstwhile clip had passed 80 minutes.

Argentina's players surrounded nan referee, who appeared to propose earlier nan footwear that location would beryllium a restart but blew for full-time erstwhile it was converted.

The Wallabies trailed by 10-0 and 16-7 astatine Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi but rallied successful pouring rainfall successful nan coastal metropolis of La Plata to gain their first Championship triumph since beating South Africa 2 years ago.

"I'm really proud," said Australia caput coach Joe Schmidt.

"We made a fewer things difficult for ourselves, giving them a large commencement astatine home, a large crowd and difficult conditions.

"We put ourselves consecutive backmost nether unit by dropping restarts, but we fought, scored tries and created immoderate different chances that would person been great."

Juan Martinez Gonzalez scored Argentina's only effort early successful nan first half and penalties from Gloucester's Santiago Carreras gave nan Pumas a patient lead going into nan second stages.

Jake Gordon and Rob Valetini some crossed for Australia, pinch Noah Lolesio adding a punishment and 2 conversions.

It near nan crippled connected a knife-edge heading into nan last minutes and substitute fly-half Donaldson was fixed a elemental punishment footwear to put nan Wallabies ahead.

Despite nan win, Australia stay rooted to nan bottommost of nan standings down Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa.

Australia look Argentina successful Sante Fe successful a rematch connected 7 September.