Ioane try sets up Wallabies' win over Pumas to end second in Four Nations

Australia wing Digby Ioane scored a superb second-half try to set up a 25-19 triumph over Argentina in a penalty-saturated final match of the Rugby Championship season.

A Wallabies team severely depleted by injuries were clinging to a three-point lead at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito when awarded a scrum in Pumas territory 15 minutes from time.

The ball came swiftly to fly-half Kurtley Beale and Ioane drifted in to take a pass, cut through the Argentine defence and dot down under the crossbar.

Makeshift fullback Mike Harris converted to give Australia a 22-12 lead that he increased eight minutes later with a penalty, lifting his personal contribution to 20 points.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has been under pressure after two defeats by New Zealand and a heavy loss in South Africa last weekend, but victory lifted them to second place in the table.

Skipper Nathan Sharpe sung the praises of the Argentines after the match: "They are going to be a really strong team in a year or two. They will pose a real threat.

"On a field that was smaller than we're used to and one of the wettest balls we've played with and, in my career, one of the most hostile crowds, we did the job." 
Pumas No 8 and skipper Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe said: "We knew it was going to be a very tough test and our first-half display was bad. If we want to compete at this level, we must become more disciplined."

Rodrigo Roncero, a 55-cap loosehead prop making his farewell appearance, added: "We have to keep training, keep fighting to reach a level where we can compete equally."

Australia finished level on 12 points with South Africa but won more matches in the first four-nation southern hemisphere championship which New Zealand won with a game to spare.