Argentina vs. Australia: Winners and Losers from Rugby Championship Clash
Argentina broke their Rugby Championship victory drought on Saturday, beating Australia 21-17 to claim their first-ever win in the tournament's history.
It was a well won game for Daniel Hourcade's side and one that gives the Pumas new impetus to believe they belong on a stage of this magnitude.
Without titles or crowns riding on the line, both teams learned a lot about themselves in Mendoza, the biggest winners and losers from this fixture are discussed in more detail ahead.
All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum and Ruckin Good Stats.
Winner: Pumas Cool Under Pressure Bearing New Fruit
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For all the promise they show in build-up, coping with white-line fever has been a recurring issue for Argentina, those key clutch moments that so often promise so much but can deliver so little.
In Mendoza, however, the Pumas sniffed up those opportunities which could have by all means ended in familiar disappointment, showing a more collected and clinical eye in front of the line.
Juan Imhoff and Leonardo Senatore each got on the end of flowing counter moves that the Wallabies defence couldn't keep up with, Hourcade's men showed a relentless strain in being able to go from A to B in such swift manner.
Technical ability has long been seen as one of the main factors preventing Argentina from making that next step in their rugby evolution, but the signs were there on Saturday to suggest cooler heads can prevail.
Loser: Ball Retention Once Again Proving Troublesome for Australia
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The canvas is there for something beautiful to be crafted, but at present Australia aren't painting the masterpiece expected of them, messy marks and silly mistakes in possession are costing the side.
Not once on Saturday did the Wallabies manage to put together a phase containing 10 passes or more, and while the visitors managed just five phases with between five and nine passes, the hosts constructed 11.
With enigmatic weapons like Israel Folau, Tevita Kuridrani and Michael Hooper lurking, it's safe to say long, drawn-out plans won't always be what's needed for success, however, it is a key mark of genuinely world-class teams.
And one the Wallabies are only rarely displaying recently at that.
Winner: Tevita Kuridrani Cementing His Spot in Ewen McKenzie's Order
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Having shown against South Africa last week just what potential he has for individual greatness, Tevita Kuridrani continued to build his renown after another fine display against Argentina, in which he opened the scoring just two minutes in.
His chances at outside centre may have come largely thanks to Adam Ashley-Cooper's move to cover the wing, but McKenzie now has another first-choice selection to contend with.
After his performance against the Springboks, Kuridrani earned high praise from his coach, per The Daily Telegraph's Jamie Pandaram (h/t Fox Sports):
"Tevita was outstanding as far as his attacking game, but I looked at his defensive numbers and he made 19 first up tackles, a couple of assists. He’s had two really good games against South Africa. These guys are only 12 months into their Test career, he missed a few games last year with suspension, they’re finding their way.
I think he’s been really good. Since the French series he’s concentrated on running much straighter and I think he’s been really effective.
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Still just 23 years of age, the Brumbies starlet has acres of time to progress, but as far as his physical game is concerned, he may as well be considered a prime asset, one with which others in the squad will struggle to compete.
As McKenzie noted, hitting straight lines was an evident priority in Kuridrani's Saturday outing, a sometimes undervalued commodity, even at the international standard.
He was unfortunate not to claim a second try which couldn't be cleared through use of TMO, but Kuridrani continues to show he can be a long-term staple at 13, giving his side an option growing in confidence as his career rumbles forth.
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Loser: Discipline a Worry for Wallabies
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Even though only two will be on the record, Australia were shown three yellow cards against Argentina—Israel Folau rightfully having his overturned by referee Nigel Owens in the second period.
And even though one might argue Michael Hooper's 73rd-minute dismissal was undeserved, there were too many avoidable instances of ill discipline for the visitors this weekend.
Folau and Hooper each came into question for tackling offences of differing severity.
In total, Australia were penalised on 16 occasions, Argentina registering half that number with just eight, perhaps not going about their business in as desperate a manner.
Again, it's a question of calm, and the pressure to succeed may well have overcome the Wallabies as Argentina pulled off their first-ever Rugby Championship win.
Winner: Argentina's Evolution Unearths New Horizons
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It may be the smallest hint through a creak in the door of potential, but the overall positive to take from this result is undoubtedly Argentina's progress following their first-ever Rugby Championship triumph.
The long and often frustrating slog this nation has had to endure in establishing itself as a worldly presence is assuredly coming along and Saturday's win over a veritable giant of the sport confirms just that.
Admittedly, one shouldn't be backing the Pumas for world domination any time soon, but this was a calculated, pragmatic and too deserved victory for the South Americans, whose plans for the future look as promising as ever.
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