The Wallabies are prepared for a tough challenge against Los Pumas on Sunday and they only need to look at their recent history to see why they need to be at their best.
Australia has seen Argentina’s improvement first hand in the Rugby Championship, with games decided by narrow margins both at home and in South America.
We take a look at the match ups since they joined the competition.
September 15, 2012 - Gold Coast - Australia 23 - Argentina 19
Seventeen unanswered points in the final 20 minutes gave the Wallabies a late escape in their first Rugby Championship match against Los Pumas. First it was a Quade Cooper pass to set up a Pat McCabe try and then halfback Nick Phipps put Digby Ioane over the line. Kurtley Beale booted a penalty in the final minute to seal the game for the Wallabies and deny Los Pumas their first Rugby Championship win.
October 6, 2012 - Rosario - Australia 25 - Argentina 19
It was another tight-fought affair less than a month later but this time it was Argentina with the late surge home. The Wallabies did enough to hold off the fast-finishing hosts in Rosario, thanks in large part to the boot of fullback Mike Harris. Battling against lasers, Harris kicked seven of eight kicks through the evening as the Wallabies finished their Rugby Championship with a win.
September 14, 2013 - Perth - Australia 14 - Argentina 13
The Wallabies hung on again in their first clash with Argentina in 2013, has Los Pumas added 10 unanswered points to go within a whisker of an unlikely win. A 61st minute try sent a scare through the Wallabies camp but they managed to hold in wet, draining conditions in West Australia, clinching their first win under Ewen McKenzie.
October 5, 2013 - Rosario - Australia 54 - Argentina 17
It was an emphatic turnaround by the Wallabies when they travelled to Argentina three weeks on, spearheaded by an Israel Folau hat trick. The Wallabies scored seven tries in all in their comfortable win. A strong defensive period was a major confidence booster for the side, holding Argentina out despite conceding five scrum penalties.
September 13, 2014 - Gold Coast - Australia 32 - Argentina 25
The Wallabies notched another win over Argentina at Robina, withstanding a late charge from the visitors. After opening up a 28-13 lead through a double to Michael Hooper and another try to Peter Betham, the margin was whittled back to four with two from Argentina. A late penalty scored by Bernard Foley sealed the win for Australia.
October 4, 2014 - Mendoza - Argentina 21 - Australia 17
A bit over a year ago, Argentina scored a major upset over the Wallabies in Mendoza, their first in the Rugby Championship. After leading 14-0 early in the piece, the Wallabies lost Michael Hooper and NIck Phipps to yellow cards in the second half and opening up opportunities for the Argentinians. The home side pounced. Nicholas Sanchez booted the final penalty in the dying minutes to secure the Pumas’ win.
July 25, 2015 - Mendoza - Australia 34 - Argentina 9
Out for redemption Mendoza, the Wallabies certainly got that in a bonus point win over Los Pumas earlier this year. As well as scoring four tries against the hosts, the Wallabies’ defence withstood strong pressure midway through the second half before two late tries sealed a big victory for them.
