Historic collapse as Wallabies concede record score to Argentina
Argentina have handed the Wallabies a historic belting in Santa Fe, scoring nine tries to come from 17 points behind and win 67-27.
The hosts were down 20-3 before clicking into top gear with 10 minutes to play in the first half on Sunday morning (AEST), scoring four tries in the last nine minutes.
It's the most points the Wallabies have conceded in a Test, beating the 61-22 hammering they copped in South Africa in 1997.
The flogging followed a gritty 20-19, last-gasp win over Argentina in driving rain seven days ago.
This time, in brilliant sunshine, Australia looked on song again when Ben Donaldson found joy down the blindside to set up fullback Andrew Kellaway for their second try and create a 17-point buffer.
Back-rower Carlo Tizzano had earlier barged over for the game's first try after a Los Pumas' penalty goal.
But the hosts flicked the switch 10 minutes before the break, Mateo Carreras finishing some superb work from Pablo Matera before skipper Julian Montoya breached the ragged Wallabies defence.
They came close to scoring again before the break but didn't relent at the resumption, an early unforced error from Marika Koroibete gifting field position that led to Juan Martin Gonzalez scoring.
Pablo Matera's try came after Schmidt had replaced his halves, who could only watch as Argentina hit top gear and Joaquin Oviedo's try made it 38 consecutive points.
Koroibete was pushed into touch after halfback Tate McDermott put him through a gap, the replacement half doing it himself, tapping and darting through traffic to stop the rot.
There was still a glimmer of hope with 10 minutes to play, Argentina emphatically shutting the door in a devastating final passage that created some unwanted history for Schmidt's men.
Juan Cruz Mallia strolled over twice in mere minutes and Oviedo added another to complete the carnage. Australia's next assignment is New Zealand in Sydney on September 21.
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Nah hes a journeyman. Right call
Go to commentsAgreed for the most part. And perhaps Dmac needed a period were he is the 'Hobson's choice' too.
Yes and no, they main concern I had from the situation is Razor didn't really explain why they had developed differing opinions, had he? I've seen too many things happen in life to jump the gun. Fall all we know it was a locked in choice before they found the difference last year and played out this year to see if they were recoverable. I can certainly see where it would be a valid criticism to suggest he spent too much time reviewing his players tripping overseas and not enough work with his team at that time. But things like Tony Brown not even being contacted in the lead up to the naming of the squad are endemic in the union, and for much just as much blame should be laid on someone like Wayne Smith. Some like Mitch would have been aval at the same time too I'd think.
Ultimately I see MacDs time at the Blues much as I saw Ian Fosters time at the Chiefs. Heavily overshadowed by their successors but you could find something good in there if you wanted. Same here. This will play out.
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