Pumitas finish ninth after defeating Japan

Argentina’s under 20 side, Los Pumitas have ended their involvement in the 2015 World Rugby Under 20s by defeating Japan 38-21. The result sees Argentina secure ninth spot and go some way to making up for finishing winless in pool play.

The Nicolás Fernández Lobbe coached team scored six tries to three with José Deheza (2), Eugenio Achilli, Ignacio Larrague, Patricio Baronio and Emiliano Boffelli all crossing. Boffelli also scored eight additional points through his goal kicking.

In what was a dynamic match with both teams playing attacking rugby the Asians started strongly with Tevita Tatafu scoring the opening try of the match. Argentina, though, was able to match the Japanese and go into the break with a 17-14 lead.

Following a Japanese try to open the second half the South Americans took control to score three converted tries to complete a 38-21 victory.

Scorers:

Argentina
Tries: Deheza 2, Achilli, Larrague, Baronio, Boffelli
Conversion: Boffelli 4

Japan
Tries: Tatafu 2, Yatomi
Conversion: Kanai 2, Noguchi

Argentina
1 Nicolás Ocello, 2 Ignacio Calles, 3 Santiago Medrano, 4 Ignacio Larrague, 5 Vittorio Rosti, 6 José Deheza, 7 Lucas Gasparri, 8 Santiago Portillo, 9 Lautaro Bazán Vélez, 10 Ignacio Albornoz, 11 Eugenio Achilli, 12 Bautista Ezcurra (Captain), 13 Tomás Granella, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 15 Matías Ferro.

Head Coach: Nicolás Fernández Lobbe.

Japan
1 Shogo Miura, 2 Kosuke Horikoshi (Captain), 3 Tatsuya Kakimoto, 4 Tomoki Saita, 5 Hiroto Kato, 6 Faulua Makisi, 7 Kosuke Urabe, 8 Tevita Tatafu, 9 Ryuji Yonemura, 10 Taisetsu Kanai, 11 Hironori Yatomi, 12 Yusuke Kajimura, 13 Kaisei Kasahara, 14 Selya Ozaki, 15 Ryuji Noguchi.

Head Coach: Ryuji Nakatake.