The heartbreaker absorbed by the Wallabies at CommBank Stadium can’t been seen as unlucky or down to a courageous Argentinian strike on full-time.
Poor discipline is killing the Australians just as it did in 2022.
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The last-gasp 34-31 loss sentences the Wallabies to a 0-2 start to World Cup year.
What did we learn?
1 WALLABIES TRIP THEMSELVES
The careless Quade Cooper high tackle on Pablo Matera at the death gave the Pumas the penalty so they could go to lineout from which they launched their winning try.
Discipline is also knowing when to pass or not.
In the final quarter of the match, both Allan Alaalatoa and Fraser McReight pushed passes that coughed up possession.
Fullback Tom Wright knocked on a kick and shortly after threw a risky pass to Carter Gordon that turned over the ball.
Even with all of that, winger Mark Naqanitawase had the Test won for the Wallabies before the costly late penalty.
2 RESILIENCE
You have to see moments of resilience under pressure and the Wallabies produced several in the tough first half when they were on the backfoot both in territory and possession.
The big moment on half-time was a major save.
The Wallabies were down lock Richie Arnold, who had just been sent to the sin bin.
The Pumas set a 5m scrum. Backrower Rob Valentini made a try-saving tackle on the shortside and produced a super second effort to hold up an Argentinian over the line.
The Argentinians had penalty advantage and set another scrum with the strong scent of grabbing a try and the lead.
Instead, the Wallabies scrum stood up and won a penalty. It was kudos to tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa but also the 148kg powerhouse pushing behind him, Will Skelton.
The other show of resilience came from rookie Carter Gordon, brought on as a replacement in the unfamiliar centre role.
He made a big tackle immediately, scooped up one loose ball for a 45m scoot and intercepted an inside pass on another occasion when the Pumas threatened.
3 WING QUESTION ANSWERED
It probably wasn’t even a question to be honest. Winger Mark Nawaqanitawase’s knowledge of the game really separated him from Suliasi Vunivalu, who played in Pretoria a week earlier.
Vunivalu rarely ventures in field. Nawaqanitawase knows that roaming is the name of the game.
His break in midfield set up the Wallabies’ first try. That sort of ad lib play is vital in creating chances.
His 95m intercept try could have been one for folklore in a win but it was sadly in a loss.
He triggers play. Vunivalu waits for it.
At the selection table, it’s Nawaqanitawase every day of the week.
4 COOPER-KEREVI
The Wallabies had so little possession in the first half, at around 30 percent, that it was hard to make a full assessment of the Cooper-Kerevi connection.
Kerevi was busy but only had 17 minutes in his traditional slot at inside centre.
The Cooper-Kerevi connection featured in two tries.
Their best moment came when Cooper backed up the excellent Nawaqanitawase-Koroibete interplay and then popped a try-making pass to Kerevi.
Cooper and Kerevi will only get better together.
5 THE BENCH
Prop Angus Bell’s big rumbling run was a reminder of his value to the Wallabies. His comeback has taken time but it was great to see him back for nearly 20 minutes.
Prop Taniela Tupou’s return for Australia A is also a good sign.
The 6-2 balance on the bench was always a gamble. Len Ikitau’s shoulder injury compromised options quickly.
Full marks to Carter Gordon for stepping up in the centres.
