Misery for Jones as Argentina snatch it

EDDIE Jones’s first campaign with England resulted in a grand slam, but a whitewash beckons at the start of his second stint in charge of Australia after Juan Martin Gonzalez’s late try gave Argentina a deserved victory. 

- PAUL REES

The Wallabies were overpowered by South Africa the week before and they were physically more imposing yesterday, led by second row Will Skelton and prop Allan Alaalatoa, but Argentina were prepared for that and with three flankers in their back row, they dominated the breakdown.

A steady supply of penalties and turnovers at the tackle area was the major factor in the Pumas enjoying 65 per cent of the territory and 62 per cent of the possession and, in a repeat of the week before, Australia faded after a strong start when Len Ikitau’s try and Quade Cooper’s penalty put them 10 points ahead after 12 minutes.

Ikitau’s try came at a cost. The centre hurt his shoulder when full-back Emiliano Boffelli slid in to try and prevent him from scoring in the corner, and although he played on he was in discomfort and came off after 17 minutes.

Australia were keen for him to continue because Jones had opted for six forwards on the bench and no outside backs. Carter Gordon came on for Ikitau which meant the home side had to operate with two outside-halves.

It did not hurt them in attack on the few occasions they had possession to move, but it exposed them in defence and Argentina did not have to rely on force to get over the gainline.

For all the ground they made through their driving mauls and the advantage they had up front from the start, Australia were on the back foot for the most part because of their indiscipline. It was not referee Jaco Peyper’s finest match, and there were instances when he seemed to be looking closer at one side, such as when Argentina got away with playing a restart that did not go 10 metres, but the Wallabies were the agents of their own downfall.