1979 Australia rugby union tour of Argentina

The 1979 Australia rugby union tour of Argentina was a series of matches played between October and November 1979 in Argentina by Australia. The Wallabies won six matches of seven and drew the two game test series against Los Pumas, led by Hugo Porta.[1]

1979 Australia rugby union tour of Argentina
Tour captain(s)Mark Loane
Summary
P W D L
Total
07 06 00 01
Test match
02 01 00 01
Opponent
P W D L
 Argentina
2 1 0 1

It was the first tour of an Australian side in Argentina.[2] The Australian squad captain was the Queenslander Mark Loane.

With this visit of Australia, a new rugby relationship begins with a country that has an excellent level of play, similar to New Zealand, which means multiplying the possibilities of assimilation and improvement of our sport. It is also worth pointing out the correction and discipline observed by the Australian delegation during the course of their visit.

— The Argentine Rugby Union praising the first visit of an Australian side[2]

Players
Player Match
Played		 Score Total points
tries conv. pen. drop
Tony Melrose5143227
Michael O'Connor641224
Phil Crowe4624
Paul McLean45422
Brendan Moon5520
Roger Gould21616
Tony Shaw6312
Paddy Batch4312
Phillip Cox428
Mark Ella3117
Mark Loane614
Peter McLean614
Andrew Slack60
Stan Pilecki50
Greg Cornelsen40
Buddha Handy40
Mick Mathers40
Bill Ross40
Peter John Carson30
John Coolican30
Tony D'Arcy30
Duncan Hall30
Peter Horton30
P. Knight30
Andy Stewart50

Match summary

Complete list of matches played by the Wallabies at Argentina:[2]

     Test matches

The Argentina team that played Australia the first test at Ferro Carril Oeste
# Date Rival City Venue Score
113 OctSan Isidro ClubBuenos AiresFerro C. Oeste17–12
217 OctSeleccionado del Interior [note 1]SaltaUniversitario RC47–12
320 OctBuenos Aires RUBuenos AiresFerro C. Oeste22–6
423 OctRosario RURosarioGimnasia y Esgrima (R)21–13
527 Oct ArgentinaBuenos AiresFerro C. Oeste13–24
630 OctCuyo RUMendozaClub Marista43–4
73 Nov ArgentinaBuenos AiresFerro C. Oeste17–12
Balance
Pl W D L Ps Pc
760118083

Match details
13 October 1979
San Isidro Club 12–17 Australia
Try: penalty try
Con: Loffreda
Pen: Loffreda
Drop: F.Sainz Trápaga;
 Try: O'Connor, Moon, Crowe;
Con: Paul McLean
Pen: Paul McLean
Ferro C. Oeste, Buenos Aires
Referee: Ángel Garrido (Argentina)
16 October 1979
Seleccionado del Interior [note 1] 12–47 Australia
Try: Basile
Con: Virgolini
Drop: Rodriguez
 Try: Crowe 2, Ella
Loane, Peter Mc Lean
Batch, Gould, Cox
Con: Gould 6
Drop: Ella
Club Universitario, Salta
Referee: Bruno Bertelli (Argentina)
20 October 1979
Buenos Aires RU 6–22 Australia
Try: Puccy
Con: G.Beccar Varela
 Try: Cox, T.Shaw
M.O'Connor, Batch;
Con: P.Mc.Lean 3
Ferro C. Oeste, Buenos Aires
Referee: Ricardo Colombo (Argentina)
23 October 1979
Rosario RU 13–21 Australia
Try: Tallo, Basilico;
Con: Baetti
Pen: Baetti
 Try: Crowe (2)
O'Connors
Pen: O'Connors (2)
Drop: Melrose
Gimnasia y Esgrima (R)
Referee: Roberto Magnani (Argentina)

First test
27 October 1979
Argentina  24–13  Australia
Try: Madero 2
Con: Porta
Pen: Porta
Drop: Porta (3)
 Try: Crowe
Pen: Paul McLean 2
Drop: Melrose
Ferro C. Oeste, Buenos Aires
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: S.Strydom (South Africa)
30 October 1979
Cuyo RU 4–43 Australia
Try: Antonini
 Try: Show 2, Moon 2
Melrose, O'Connors;
Con: Melrose 4, M.O'Connor;
Pen: Melorse 3
Club Marista, Mendoza
Referee: Felipe Ferrari (Argentina)

Second Test
3 November 1979
Argentina  12–17  Australia
Try: Petersen
Con: Porta
Pen: Porta
Drop: Porta
 Try: Match, Moom (2)
Con: Paul McLean
Pen: Paul McLean
Ferro C. Oeste, Buenos Aires
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: S.Strydom (South Africa)
Notes
  1. Combined team formed by players outside Buenos Aires

References
  1. Los ocho duelos inolvidables que marcaron el historial entre los Pumas y los Wallabies, La Nación, 2015
  2. Memoria y balance 1979 on UAR website
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