Australia U20 will finish the 2025 Rugby Championship U20 undefeated - but they had to work hard to overcome a determined Argentina U20 side, 40-36 in Gqeberha.
Six lead changes, 11 tries across the match and a dominant performance from the Argentine set piece ran the risk of blowing up the Aussies hopes of a maiden title, but a resolute backline performance and critical bench display saw the Australians sneak home.
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It was not enough for the Aussies to secure the title, however, with New Zealand hanging on for a 48-45 win over hosts South Africa to leapfrog Chris Whitaker's side and claim the trophy.
Toby Brial put in a Herculean effort in general play, with Eamon Doyle and Lipina Ata putting in big shifts to get go-forward and secure the Australian ruck.
Meanwhile, Shane Wilcox continued his strong form in the backline, being well supported by Boston Fakafanua and Sid Harvey, whose thundering boot kept the Aussies on the front foot through field position.
The Argentines turned to their scrum frequently throughout the match, which came close to single-handedly winning them the match. Attempts to catch the Argentines unawares out wide also saw plenty of dropped ball and missed opportunities for the boys in gold.
In the end, though, a late surge from the bench - including a massive shift from Edwin Langi - proved the difference.
Regardless of the result between South Africa U20 and New Zealand U20, it has been a vastly improved performance for Chris Whitaker's side, especially in comparison to 2024, and it has proven a vital confidence booster before the start of the World Rugby Championships in Italy in June.
"Super proud of the boys," Captain Eamon Doyle said after the end of the match.
"Coming in after last year finishing bottom of the table, with a draw and two wins, couldn't be happier or prouder."
The Aussies started the match quickly, with a relentless attack culminating in halfback James Martens scoring as part of a rolling maul, going 7-0 up at the three-minute mark.
The Aussies continued to capitalise on the Argentines' slow start, with Xavier Rubens scoring a long-range effort courtesy of a Shane Wilcox run. However, Argentina struck back quickly with a try to Aquiles Vieyra.
Hopes of momentum were stifled when Pampa Storey was shown a card for a no-wrap tackle, and the Aussies extended again in the 21st minute thanks to Toby Brial. However, as the Aussies tried to take advantage of the overlap, their attempt at a fast-paced game saw their structure fall apart, with fatigue also creeping in.
The Argentines pounced, turning to their scrum with a penalty try in the 25th minute, with Joe Dillon being sent to the bin for offside. An additional try to Agustin Garcia Campos saw Argentina draw level, with the score 19-19 at halftime.
Both sides aimed to gain the ascendancy early in the second half, with Pascal Senillosa giving Argentina the lead for the first time thanks to a field goal; however, the Aussies regained the lead quickly due to poor discipline from the South Americans, with Shane Wilcox beating several players to score in the corner.
Argentina looked to have regained the lead in the 54th minute with a second try to Vieyra, only for strong cover defence pushing his foot in touch before he could ground the ball.
The winger wouldn't miss three minutes later in the same spot, with the Argentine scrum working wonders before a patient build-up, condensing Australia's defence.
Australia turned to its bench at the hour mark, with a brilliant Edwin Langi run off a lineout leading to Lipina Ata getting the Aussies back ahead.
With less than 15 minutes to go, the Aussies turned to general play - and it proved effective, cutting holes out wide. They looked set to extend in the 67th minute from a Liam Grover line break, only for a crucial knock-on from Hwi Sharples with the line beckoning.
Beau Morrison was held up over the line again in the 71st minute, however, the Aussies would not be denied a third time in the 73rd minute, with Franco Benitez being sent off for coming from an offside position, denying a second try to Ata - the result giving the Aussies an 11 point lead.
The Argentines counterattacked quickly, however, a crucial defensive scrum at the 78th minute saw the Aussies win back the ball, putting the result to bed for good.
Argentina would finish with a rolling maul try in the 82nd minute to Tadeo Ledesma Arocena, bringing the margin to four points.
The Aussies will finish the championship undefeated - a massive improvement on the 2024 tournament that saw the side finish last.
Australia U20 40 (Martens, Rubens, Brial, Wilcox, Ata, penalty try tries; Harvey 4 cons) def Argentina U20 36 (Vieyra 2, penalty try, Campos, Arocena tries; Benedit 3 cons; Senillosa goal)
