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'Didn't want to draw': Wallabies in 86th-min thriller
Murray Wenzel, AAP • September 6th, 2025 9:30 pm
A late try to Angus Bell (centre) has given the Wallabies a thrilling comeback win over Argentina | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Willing to lose in order to win, Harry Wilson's brave captaincy has ensured the Wallabies' momentum continued with their latest Houdini Test act in Townsville.
The hosts turned down three opportunities to kick a match-tying penalty and instead scored an 86th-minute winner to beat Argentina 28-24 on Saturday afternoon.
Angus Bell's barging try came after the Wallabies trailed by three points with 90 seconds to go.
Now 2-1 in the Rugby Championship, it keeps hopes of ending a 10-year title drought alive.
Bell barged over in the 86th minute after Australia went for the win instead of a tying penalty | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Joe Schmnidt's men were down 21-7 at halftime but launched a brilliant second-half rally and rejected any temptation to take kicks to tie the game after the siren from three separate penalties.
"It was obviously pretty stressful," captain Harry Wilson said of his brave injury-time calls that were partly motivated by the screaming of 20,163 fans.
The captain shot a cheeky smile at Schmidt in the post-game press conference when the coach said he was happy for his skipper to call the shots.
"I spoke to some key leaders," Wilson said. "The boys didn't want to draw it, they wanted to win it.
"We weren't at our best today but found a way to win against a very, very good opposition."
Victory came two Tests after a stunning, historic comeback defeat of South Africa at Ellis Park and continued the momentum outgoing coach Schmidt has created in the past 12 months.
Another concussion for flyhalf Tom Lynagh, who was returning from the same injury and will now miss at least next week's Sydney rematch, was the only sore point.
"A little bit disconcerted by these head starts that teams have taken, but Los Pumas are a very good team," Schmidt said.
"A euphoric moment, at the end of 86 minutes. It's reassuring, that belief is there and we could build our way back.
"You'd prefer a draw to a loss, but delighted with the finish and confidence Harry showed in the pack, and a couple of backs who carried well in that sequence."
A concussion to Tom Lynagh (right), seen with James O'Connor, was the only downside for Australia | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
After the hosts had levelled at 21-21, Argentina thought they'd pinched it with a 78th-minute penalty but then failed to land the killer blow.
A jarring 15-point punch in just 13 minutes approaching halftime broke the game open for the visitors after a spluttering first half hour.
Argentina led 6-0 thanks to penalty goals when Taniela Tupou was twice pinged for making no-arm tackles in an opening that didn't deliver the running rugby most expected.
Mateo Carreras (left) helped the Pumas build their lead before Australia's late comeback | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Nic White darted through a gap to score but, with the Wallabies on the charge again, Los Pumas pounced with tries from back-to-back midfield scrums from Wallabies errors.
Bell's second-half introduction gave Australia impetus that was converted when player of the match Len Ikitau's offload put Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii over.
The Wallabies pushed again and Mateo Carreras was yellow carded for Argentina's repeated infringements.
Suaalii pounced, beating two to score his second before replacement No.10 James O'Connor's conversion levelled the scores.
Joe Schmidt was on edge early on as the Wallabies struggle to gain the ascendancy | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
The hosts had all the running in the final 15 minutes but were denied the go-ahead score.
In a rare attacking raid, Argentina found a penalty with Carlo Tizzano caught in a ruck and fullback Juan Cruz Mallia kicked truly to make it 24-21, before Australia's audacious final push.
"I'm not surprised," Argentina coach Felipe Contemponi said of Australia's bold decisions, while lamenting his side's second-half errors.
"If you want to go for it ... and it paid off.
"They were convinced and they came once, twice, three times and we weren't good enough to hold them back."
