Argentina claimed a shock 48-17 bonus-point victory over Australia in their Rugby Championship encounter in San Juan on Saturday.
As the scoreline suggests, this was a one-sided affair and the home side outscored their opponents by seven tries to two with Thomas Gallo (2), Juan Imhoff, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Emiliano Boffelli and Tomas Albornoz scoring their five-pointers.
Argentina‘s other points came via a penalty and five conversions from Boffelli. For Australia, James Slipper and Len Ikitau crossed the whitewash while James O’Connor slotted two conversions and a penalty.
Wallabies fightback
The home side made a superb start and held a 14-0 lead by the seventh minute after Imhoff and Gallo crossed for converted tries but the Wallabies struck back via Slipper’s five-pointer and a conversion and a penalty from O’Connor.
Los Pumas finished stronger, however, and were up 26-10 at half-time after De la Fuente and Gonzalez dotted down.
Boffelli added a penalty early in the second half before Gallo crossed for his second five-pointer but Australia struck back when Ikitau went over for his converted try in the 67th minute.
Argentina were not done and secured their victory courtesy of late tries from Boffelli and Albornoz.
Argentina 48
Tries
Juan Jose Imhoff (1′), Thomas Gallo (5′)(63′), Jeronimo De La Fuente (23′), Juan Martin Gonzalez (32′), Emiliano Boffelli (77′), Tomas Albornoz (80′)
Conversions
Emiliano Boffelli (1′)(5′)(23′)(63′)(80′)
Penalties
Emiliano Boffelli (53′)
Australia 17
Tries
James Slipper (11′), Len Ikitau (66′)
Conversions
James O’Connor (11′)(66′)
Penalties
James O’Connor (15′)
