Australia vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby Championship result and final score as Wallabies beat Springboks
The Wallabies and Springboks met in Adelaide looking to bounce back from defeats last time out
Australia bounced back from a humiliating loss in their last outing to beat world champions South Africa 25-17 at Adelaide Oval on Saturday to move to the top of the Rugby Championship standings.
Flanker Fraser McReight scored two tries and Man of the Match Marika Koroibete also crossed, with Noah Lolesio adding 10 points from the kicking tee in an assured performance at flyhalf.
The Springboks, looking for a first win over the Wallabies in Australia since 2013, besieged the home try line for lengthy periods, but Handre Pollard’s penalty was their only reward until Kwagga Smith scored two tries in the last five minutes.
Argentina, who topped the standings after thrashing Australia 48-17 in San Juan two weeks ago, take on the All Blacks in Christchurch in the second match of the round later on Saturday.
New Zealand 18-19 Argentina, 52 minutes
But Argentina have cause to roar as the two All Blacks lifters slide in ahead of the jumper as he comes back down to deck with the ball at the lineout. Pablo Matera beats his chest in delight after his side get the penalty.
New Zealand 18-19 Argentina, 51 minutes
That’s pretty impressive from the replacement All Blacks front row - Fletcher Newell gets an immediate march on against Thomas Gallo, finding good support from George Bower on the opposite side, and together they drive forward in almost perfect parallel. Full marks from the judges for synchronisation.
New Zealand 18-19 Argentina, 50 minutes
The broadcaster shows some footage of Michael Cheika delivering an impassioned half-time speech to his Argentina side, who really have come out firing. That’s an error, though, Lucio Cinti late to rush forward as New Zealand’s kick sails over the hands of a lifted player and knocking on.
TRY! New Zealand 18-19 ARGENTINA (Juan Martin Gonzalez try, 48 minutes)
An opportunistic score straight from the restart! Argentina hit back!
A beautifully weighted kick is jostled for by Emiliano Boffelli, forcing Scott Barrett to fumble. A game of pinball ends with Juan Martin Gonzalez a grateful recipient of the ricochet, and the speedy blindside flanker swats away Aaron Smith en route to the line.
Emiliano Boffelli’s conversion from the touchline is...perfect! The visitors go in front.
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 18-12 Argentina (Richie Mo’unga penalty, 47 minutes)
Richie Mo’unga extends the All Blacks lead.
New Zealand 15-12 Argentina, 46 minutes
Immediate impact from George Bower! The big loosehead combines niftily with Shannon Frizell after a blind inside ball from Ardie Savea and delivers some punishment to Santiago Carreras. Bower then pops up four phases later with another burly tote up the middle.
Argentina are harshly penalised for a tackle off the ball on Sam Cane, who appeared to have already had one clutch at it.
Missed penalty! New Zealand 15-12 Argentina, 45 minutes
I’m not sure that was the best option - Barrett strains every sinew to make sure he has the distance but over-kicks it, wildly slicing it.
Changes in the front row for New Zealand. All change, in fact - enter Codie Taylor, George Bower and Fletcher Newell, who all ply their Super Rugby trade in Christchurch, exit Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax.
New Zealand 15-12 Argentina, 43 minutes
The All Blacks explore the possibilities on the counter-attack. That’s a lovely option from Jordie Barrett, stepping up to first receiver and chipping delicately, with a high hop just evading a chasing Will Jordan.
Ethan de Groot locks over the breakdown to earn a penalty, and Barrett will swap the lob wedge for a three iron and have a drive at goal from some way inside his own half.
New Zealand 15-12 Argentina, 42 minutes
Variation in the attacking play from Argentina, Juan Cruz Mallia striding about with purpose from full-back and providing extra linking hands where required. The tempo is high, too, but it eventually comes a cropper as Julian Montoya fails to snare a short ball from Gonzalo Bertranou.
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