Late tries lift Australia past Argentina

GOLD COAST, Australia — Facing defeat by Argentina for the first time in nearly 30 years in Australia, the Wallabies came from 13 points down with 20 minutes left to score two tries and beat the Pumas 23-19 in their Rugby Championship match on Saturday.

Man-of-the-match Digby Ioane crossed for Australia's second try and Berrick Barnes kicked the conversion 10 meters in from the touch line to give the Wallabies the lead for the first time in the game.

Argentina's only win against the Wallabies in Australia came in 1983 at Brisbane's Ballymore ground. The teams have not played each other since 2003, and Argentina's last win against the Wallabies came in 1997 in Buenos Aires.

The win moved Australia into second place ahead of South Africa in the four-nation competition behind first-place New Zealand, which beat South Africa 21-11 earlier Saturday. The All Blacks are undefeated in four matches and lead Australia by eight points.

All four teams have next weekend off before South Africa hosts Australia in Pretoria on Sept. 29 and New Zealand travels to La Plata, Argentina in the penultimate round of the inaugural competition.

Wallabies center Pat McCabe started the comeback by crashing over after a pass from flyhalf Quade Cooper. Then stand-in halfback Nick Phipps darted to the blind side and burst past two defenders.

A cramping Barnes, who missed two easy first-half penalties, hit the wide conversion and Australia was in the lead with 10 minutes left.

Trailing 6-3 at halftime, Barnes pulled the Wallabies level in the 49th minute before Argentina took charge of the match.

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