This archive report was first published on 2 October 2021.
On a sunny day in the Gold Coast, Australia's Andrew Kellaway stole the show with a hat-trick, leading his team to a comprehensive 32-17 victory over Argentina in the Rugby Championship on October 2, 2021.
With this win, Australia extended their winning streak to four matches, and Kellaway's impressive performance has seen him cross the try line seven times since his international debut against New Zealand earlier this year.
The hosts dominated the match, leading 32-3 midway through the second half, and despite a late surge by the Pumas, they remained in control throughout.
Argentina, who had been struggling with five consecutive losses in the Rugby Championship, faced rocky preparations after six players and two officials broke coronavirus regulations and were barred from playing.
Australian captain Michael Hooper expressed his satisfaction with the win but was disappointed to let Argentina in for two late tries, citing sloppy discipline and play.
‘It was a good game, we created a lot of opportunities, but it was just sloppy at the end,’ Hooper said.
The Pumas were missing key forwards Pablo Matera and prop Santiago Medrano due to their involvement in the coronavirus travel rule breach, and their absence was felt at scrum time, with the Wallabies exerting significant pressure on the Argentine scrum.
Australian fly-half Quade Cooper opened the scoring with a penalty in the fifth minute, and the Wallabies eventually broke through with tries from Folau Fainga’a and Kellaway, giving them a commanding 15-0 lead.
Despite a late fightback by the Pumas, the Wallabies maintained their control, with Cooper's composed play and slick backline moves leading to Kellaway's two additional tries.
Argentina coach Mario Ledesma acknowledged the team's mistakes, citing discipline, set pieces, and missed opportunities, and emphasized the need for rest after a prolonged period of playing without a break.
