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Argentina skipper's brutal parting shot after Wallabies victory

Julian Montoya quipped that the Pumas were treated well in Australia 'sometimes' after their loss to the Wallabies.
Argentina rugby skipper Julian Montoya quipped that his team was treated well 'sometimes'
in Australia after a two-month international tour. (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

After a gruelling trip to Australia for the Rugby Championship finally comes to an end for Argentina, the team's skipper Julián Montoya has taken a subtle pot-shot at the hospitality Down Under.

The Pumas were beaten 32-17 by the Wallabies on Saturday night, bringing their miserable tour to a close without a single victory.

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The pandemic has meant Argentina has found themselves on the road more than many other international sides, having not played a Test at home in nearly two years.

Being away from home is understandably difficult, but coupled with Australia's onerous travel and border restrictions, Montoya couldn't help but let some frustration show in his final post-match press conference.

In a week punctuated by six Argentina players being banned from re-entering Queensland, and thereby unable to play in Saturday night's fixture on the Gold Coast, Montoya said the Pumas hadn't necessarily been treated the way they would have liked.

In addition to the aforementioned border gaffe, the Pumas were wounded after the team was not included in promotional photoshoots for the Rugby Championship - a snub rugby officials would later apologise for.

Speaking after the match, Montoya let slip the team didn't necessarily feel they'd been given the best treatment, but added that was no excuse for the team's performance.

“I think Australia is a really nice country and they treat us well. Sometimes,” Montoya said.

“We love playing for our country so if we need to do this … we do it.

“It would be nice if we could play at home after two years without our families in the crowd.

“But that’s not an excuse, we just love being part of this team.

“We just need to keep on working and trying to be better.”

After two months on the road though, Montoya was most interested in paying tribute to his teammates.

Acknowledging none of them had seen their families for some time, the Pumas captain paid tribute to the entire travelling squad.

“I’m very proud of the team. After two months away from home,” he said.

“A lot of them didn’t play a minute and they trained as hard as the guys that played, so thanks to them."

Wallabies end Rugby Championship on high with Pumas win

Andrew Kellaway hat-trick has him within reach of Wallabies history after a 32-17 defeat of Argentina gave them four-straight Rugby Championship Test wins for the first time.

Samu Kerevi's ankle injury, which could keep him out of the upcoming four-Test end of year tour, was the only concern on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The form centre limped off after 50 minutes as Australia toyed with the winless Pumas, who scored two late tries after the hosts had led 32-3.

Winger Kellaway, who was shifted to fullback after fellow try-scorer Kerevi's departure, was in the thick of it again.

The 25-year-old finished a neat set play off a line-out in the first half then ran on to two more in the second period, while again proving a level head in defence and in open spaces with possession.

Kellaway, a Sydney junior prodigy who returned from an overseas stint to the Melbourne Rebels late last season, now has eight tries in a debut year that's included six starts and two caps off the bench against France.

Andrew Kellaway dominated for the Wallabies in their final match of the Rugby Championship, 32-17 win over Argentina. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
Andrew Kellaway dominated for the Wallabies in their final match of the Rugby Championship, 32-17 win over Argentina. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

With four Tests still to play he's in the box seat to break Israel Folau's Wallabies record of 10 tries in a debut year.

Australian coach Dave Rennie admitted he wasn't in the picture when they first started drafting the squad but had forced his hand with good form and an ability to play across the backline.

"He's got a nose for the line, hasn't he?" Rennie said after another job his men didn't quite finish.

"At 32-3, there was a bit of frustration ... we wanted to put the foot on the throat, and just lacked a little bit of accuracy, discipline, and gave them some soft possession, and then we just didn't defend well."

Argentina were not the force of last season when they twice drew with Australia, completing a winless Rugby Championship with six players ineligible after a midweek trip across the border locked them out of Queensland.

With AAP

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