Rob Horne scored a try two minutes from time that Bernard Foley converted to give Australia a 24-23 victory over South Africa in the Rugby Championship at a rain-soaked Subiaco Oval yesterday.
Israel Folau crossed for his 15th Test try after two minutes, but for much of the rest of the evening Australia were chasing the game and it was only when winger Horne went over in their best move of the match that victory looked likely.
Flyhalf Foley, who also kicked four penalties, stepped up to nervelessly slot the conversion and give coach Ewen McKenzie his first win over one of the southern hemisphere superpowers since he took over last year.
Photo: AFP
South Africa had a try from winger Cornal Hendricks and six penalties from the boot of Morne Steyn, but will rue the yellow card to winger Bryan Habana, playing his 100th Test, in the 65th minute that let the home side back into the match.
NZ-ARGENTINA
Reuters, NAPIER, New Zealand
Winger Julian Savea scored two tries as New Zealand again struggled to put Argentina away before they eventually ground their way to a 28-9 win in their tightly contested Rugby Championship clash at McLean Park in Napier yesterday.
Liam Messam and Aaron Smith also scored tries for the All Blacks, while Beauden Barrett kicked a penalty, but missed four other kicks, before he was replaced by Colin Slade, who kicked a penalty and a conversion.
Flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez slotted three penalties for the Pumas, who were unlucky to have a try to Leonardo Senatore inexplicably ruled out by referee Pascal Gauzere, who said the No. 8’s charge down of a clearing kick was a knock on.
The All Blacks play South Africa in Wellington next week, while the Pumas play Australia.
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