Argentina overturned a 17-point deficit to condemn
Australia to their heaviest Test defeat with a thumping victory in the Rugby
Championship.
The Pumas' 40-point winning margin surpasses the Wallabies'
previous 61-22 record defeat by South Africa in 1997.
Australia, who ended their eight-game losing run in the
competition with a last-gasp penalty in Argentina last Saturday,
were leading 20-3 this time before the hosts rallied.
Argentina amassed another 64 points in Santa Fe to
ruthlessly expose their visitors, who were limited to a single Tate McDermott
consolation try in the second half.
The Pumas, who also beat New Zealand in Wellington on 10
August, climb to second in the table.
The Wallabies, meanwhile, prop up the table after three
defeats and just the one win.
Wallabies lose control as Pumas steal the show
Australia were hoping to use last week's late win as a
springboard for the remainder of the Rugby Championship, and were in control
for the opening 30 minutes.
Both sides exchanged early penalties before Carlo Tizzano
and Andrew Kellaway scored tries to hand Australia the advantage.
Argentina had Marcos Kremer's score chalked off after Tomas
Lavanini was penalised in the build-up, but they were not to be deterred as
Mateo Carreras scored their opening try after a clever offload by Pablo Matera.
Julian Montoya marked his 100th cap with a powerful finish
from close range to reduce the deficit to three points and set the precedent
for what was to come after the interval.
The Argentine onslaught was relentless, and Juan Martin
Gonzalez burrowed his way over the line to hand the hosts the lead for the
first time in the match.
The scrum began to overpower the Wallabies and set a platform
from which to attack as Matera surged over the line for another try.
Argentina then took charge of the breakdown and a smart
turnover set them on their way for Joaquin Oviedo to swan dive under the posts.
Australia were stunned but remained in striking distance.
They first threatened through Marika Koroibete, who was hauled into touch just
short of the line, before McDermott did get over after sensing an opportunity
from a quick tap.
But Argentina were quickly back in the ascendancy as Juan
Cruz Mallia opened his account with a finish out wide.
The full-back doubled his tally from the same channel as the
Pumas moved the ball with intent before Oviedo inflicted further damage to the
tiring gold shirts with arguably the pick of the nine tries after a flowing
team move.
Lucio Cinti's deft pick-up off his toes ensured it would be
the most points ever conceded by the Wallabies, before Santiago Carreras'
conversion secured their record defeat.
Australia 'fell off a cliff' - Schmidt
It's one step forward, two steps back for Joe Schmidt.
The Australia coach has attempted to bring about change
since replacing Eddie Jones in January.
Last weekend's win against Argentina was seen as proof that
the Wallabies were moving in the right direction once again.
But the nature of Saturday's defeat against the Pumas left
Schmidt shell-shocked.
"To lead a Test match 20-3 and get run down in the
manner which we did is really disappointing. We cannot let a game get away from
us like it did and fall off a cliff," said the New Zealander.
“We lost connection in our defensive line. We were forever
chasing them. We didn’t put enough pressure on at the breakdown, so they were
operating off lightning-quick ball, and it's just too difficult to keep chasing
a team on a hot day when they’ve got the ball and going forward.”
