Australia vs Argentina

The Wallabies overcome Argentina 41-26 in their Rugby Championship Test, saying they wanted to make skipper Michael Hooper proud - but the win is costly ...

"To come out on the wrong side on the scoreboard really hurts but a lot of credit must go to South Africa, they're a very good side. They threw a heck of a lot at us." The Springboks scored two tries at Mbombela Stadium, one at the start by wing Kurt-Lee Arendse and one right at the end by replacement back Willie le Roux as the All Blacks launched a desperate late attack from their own 22 in an attempt to salvage some pride. South Africa ground down an out-of-form New Zealand to win 26-10 in the Rugby Championship opener on Saturday and pile the pressure on the All Blacks with their fifth loss in six games. Cooper's replacement Reece Hodge then banged over a long-range penalty for the Wallabies to take the lead, 27-26, for the first time in the match. The 34-year-old had already missed the losing England series with a calf injury but appeared to grasp at his ankle in obvious pain, and was later seen in a moon-boot.

Australia beat Argentina 41-26 in the first round of the Rugby Championship at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas on Saturday.

But Australia will still be confident of another win after identifying weaknesses in the Argentine defence that they exploited with such devastating effect on Saturday. "It's a real proud moment for me and for the team, because we really wanted to put in an effort that our fans could be proud of, but also that our captain, Hoops, could be proud of. Australia were much the better team in the second half.

Quade's RWC dream in doubt after devastating injury blow leaves No.10 jersey wide open.

That hasn’t helped his chances of a call-up, but Foley has the experience and durability to get through to a World Cup. Despite playing behind a modest roster, Foley led the Kubota Spears to the semi-finals of the Japan League One competition. The 32-year-old has struggled to string Tests together and the likelihood of him getting through a World Cup campaign unscathed is remote. The issue the Wallabies face is that they have a talented crop of youngsters between the age of 18 to 23 ranging from Tom Lynagh to Ben Donaldson. The devastating injury blow is expected to see him miss the rest of the season and will likely see him miss the majority of the Japan League One season. The injury, which can take up to a year to get back on the field, is a double whammy because at his age, in his position, few players rediscover their speed.

Darcy Swain and Michael Hooper of Australia smile after winning The Rugby Championship match between Argentina Pumas and Australian Wallabies. photo / Getty ...

Alemanno collapsed another Wallabies lineout maul and paid the price. They led for the first time when replacement flyhalf Reece Hodge kicked a penalty for 27-26 while Argentina lock Matias Alemanno was in the sin-bin. They were already without their best back, Samu Kerevi, then playmaker Quade Cooper limped off in the second half with an apparent recurrence of the calf injury which sidelined him from the England series last month. Argentina was over after only six minutes from lineout ball. As the Wallabies turned the heat up in the second half, Cooper hurt his left calf merely stepping off it and Hodge came in without missing a beat. Boffelli and Cooper traded goalkicks without missing in the half, and midway through the Wallabies scored their try, also from lineout ball.