Wallabies storm to bonus-point win over Pumas

Israel Folau - Cropped

Australia preserved their unbeaten status in the Rugby Championship, with a convincing 34-9 bonus-point win away to Argentina on Saturday.

After their 11th-hour escape in their tournament opener against South Africa in Brisbane, the Wallabies ran in four tries to nil against the hosts in Mendoza.

The only concern for Michael Cheika's men was a lack of discipline - Israel Folau earned the ire of the home fans when he pushed Pumas fly-half Nicolas Sanchez when the Argentine was in mid-air early on, before Quade Cooper was sin-binned in the second half for a high tackle.

Cooper started on the bench, but Cheika deployed him at 12 after Matt Toomua suffered a first-half concussion.

Joe Tomane and the returning Dean Mumm crossed for the Wallabies, before two late tries - one from Brisbane hero Tevita Kuridrani and another to Adam Ashley-Cooper - earned the tourists a bonus point.

The two late tries leave Australia level on points in the standings with the All Blacks - but above the New Zealanders on point difference - ahead of their Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney on August 8.

Folau capitalised on Sanchez's poor kick, feeding Tomane who stormed down the left to score the game's first try in the 16th minute.

It was all either side could muster for the half, try-wise, although Sanchez and Bernard Foley traded penalties before the break.

The Wallabies took control of the scoreboard early after the re-star - two Foley penalties putting them 11 points up.

Sanchez replied with another three-pointer for Argentina, but Mumm's gut-busting try down the right side in the 58th minute - the returning Wallaby strongly kept himself in the field of play before crashing over - highlighted Australia's dominance.

Kuridrani and Ashley-Cooper both crossed late on to secure the bonus point.

Foley finished with 14 points, while opposite number Sanchez was perfect from his three penalty kicks.

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