28-28: Los Pumas Earn Hard-Fought Draw Against Australia in Mendoza

Los Pumas rescued a 28-28 draw against Australia in a rain-and-snow match at Mendoza’s Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, their final home game of the year.

Argentina had lost the first match of the series 27-21 in Jujuy the previous Saturday. The hosts faced the closing stages with 13 players after yellow cards for Lucio Cinti and Santiago Carreras, yet moved ahead late in the contest.

Australia had led throughout much of the match. A penalty try then brought the Wallabies level, and neither side scored again. Pablo Matera scored twice for Argentina, while Ignacio Mendy and Ignacio Ruiz also crossed the line. Santiago Carreras added four conversions.

Harry Wilson, Max Jorgensen and Fraser McReight scored Australia’s tries, with Ryan Lonergan kicking three conversions before the final penalty try. The result came in the 45th meeting between the teams, a rivalry Australia leads with 31 wins to Argentina’s 10. They have now drawn four times.

Argentina will return to Nations Championship action in November with away matches against Ireland, Italy and France. Australia will face South Africa on September 27, then play New Zealand twice in October before away Nations Championship matches against England, Scotland and Wales.