It was not just another night at the “Uno” stadium in the city of La Plata. There, where the “Lion”, Estudiantes, plays as home team, on August 31, 2024, Los Pumas played against Australia.
The lines of this chronicle will try to reflect what both teams left on the court, with a result that ended in favor of Australia by 20 to 19.
Now we will have to see what happens in a week on the Colón de Santa Fe pitch, where both rivals will be face to face again.
But without a doubt, on this occasion, there was something more than just a rugby match. On this field, where this media was present, there was a “Pincha” who said goodbye to the Argentine rugby team.
One of those players who will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the memory of all fans of the oval ball. At 39 years old, and after playing 110 times for Argentina, Agustín Creevy ended an impeccable career with the blue and white.
At 32 minutes into the second half, the stadium almost came to a head. The “olé, olé, olé, olé, Creevy, Creevy” resounded everywhere. The end, I insist, beyond the result, was full of emotion. All the players, teammates and rivals, came to greet him, coaches, assistants, collaborators and the thousands of people who were present paid the deserved tribute to one of the best rugby players of Los Pumas of all time.
Now yes, the game
The match started off with a rough start for Los Pumas. Before the minute was up, Rafaela’s Rubiolo had to leave the pitch due to a head injury. Lavanini’s experience, which was expected in the second half, came early.
First, one thing. It is impossible not to mention the weather. From 19:12 when the match started until a few minutes before 21:00, the annoying drizzle was the main character. The team that played better, scored more points and adapted to the weather, would win the match.
In the first ten minutes, Argentina’s defence was noteworthy. Australia had possession, but could not respond with points. And it cost them dearly.
The Pumas’ response was immediate. First with a penalty from Santiago Carreras. And then came the first try with the formula of the lineout, the maul and the coordinated push so that, on this occasion, González scored five times.
The Wallabies scored a goal after the first half hour. Playing with short, safe passes and close to the formations, the visitors, through scrum-half Gordon, broke through the centre of the pitch and scored under the goalposts.
Before the end of the first half, Carreras again added three points to make the partial score 13 to 7 for Argentina.
Although it may be a trite phrase, one thing was clear: whoever made the fewest mistakes would win the game.
Second Half
Far from “not wanting to risk too much” due to the rain, both teams started the second half with intensity. That is why the points were not long in coming.
First it was Carreras again with a penalty for the home team. But after ten minutes, pure pick and go, Rob Valetini scored for the Oceanians to reduce the difference to just two points, something that would change moments later because, with a new penalty from Lolesio, Australia went on to win for the first time in the match.
With ten minutes left, Albornoz, who was already on the pitch, made his name among the scorers. He added three and Los Pumas took the lead once again.
One thing was missing…Creevy coming in. And he did. And playing as a third line, like in his early days.
Unfortunately, the boost in spirits from the arrival of the player from La Plata was not what was expected. On the contrary, the Wallabies picked up their spirits towards the end, reached the Argentine “red zone” and achieved what they wanted: winning a penalty that Donaldson converted to give his team a 20-19 victory.
But there is no doubt that those last minutes of Creevy wearing the Los Pumas shirt will be remembered forever by all those who witnessed it at the “Uno” stadium in La Plata.
Synthesis
The Pumas: Thomas Gallo (Vivas), Julian Montoya (C) and Joel Sclavi (Bello); Franco Molina (Petti) and Pedro Rubiolo (Lavanini; Gonzalez); Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer and Juan Martin Gonzalez; Gonzalo Bertanou (Garcia), Santiago Carreras (Creevy), Mateo Carreras, Santiago Chocobares, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Cordero (Albornoz) and Juan Cruz Mallia.
Australia: Angus Bell, Matt Faessler y Taniela Tupou (Alaalatoa); Nick Frost y Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Williams); Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano y Harry Wilson (C); Jake Gordon, y Noah Lolesio; Marika Koroibete, Hamish Stewart, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway y Tom Wright.
Goals for Los Pumas: try by González; a conversion and three penalties by S. Carreras; a penalty by Albornoz
Scorers for Australia: tries from Gordon and Valetini, both converted by Lolesio; a penalty from Lolesio and another from Donaldson.
