Wallabies snatch runners-up position

– Australia scored 17 unanswered points in the last quarter to beat Argentina 37-20 on Saturday in the final game of the 2017 Rugby Championship.

Scrumhalf Will Genia and winger Reece Hodge both scored late tries as the Wallabies pulled away after the Pumas had clawed their way back to 20-20.

The result enabled Australia to leapfrog South Africa and finish runner-up to New Zealand in the final championship standings with two wins, two draws and two losses for 15 points.

Mendoza

Argentina finished bottom after losing all six matches.

Flyhalf Bernard Foley opened the scoring by slotting a closerange penalty on 15 minutes.

Australia made it 8-0 when winger Marika Koroibete raced over before Argentina hit back through lock Matias Alemanno.

Flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez landed a conversion then added a penalty to briefly put the Pumas in front.

Hodge darted over as the Wallabies regained the lead but a late Sanchez penalty tied the scores at 13-13 at half-time.

Foley converted his own try 13 minutes into the second half but the Pumas drew level, with centre Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias scoring a converted try.

But as the second half progressed, the Wallabies steadily began to dominate territory and possession, opening up cracks in the Argentine defence.

Genia scored just past the hour and Foley converted.

Hodge then went over just before being bundled into touch and Foley’s conversion wrapped up a convincing triumph. –