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In search of their first win of the World Cup Los Pumas took on Georgia in the battle of the scrum titans. It did not start well as Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro lost his feet in the opening scrum giving Georgia a clear penalty which they kicked into Pumas territory. Nerves, though, saw a failure to secure their own lineout.
Argentina cleared with Georgia returning the kick and Facunda Isa gaining solid ground before being tackled and Argentina winning a penalty. From there they kicked for the corner and won the lineout to maul forward. Argentina advanced well with Nicolás Sánchez landing an early dropgoal to open the scoring in the 5th minute.
In full control the South Americans scored the first try with Tomás Lavanini going over near the right corner with the Argentine spectators errupting with joy. Sánchez’s conversion sailed wide. Georgia hit-back through a Merab Kvirikashvili penalty after Matías Alemanno gave a away a needless penalty for obstruction and the Lelos fullback added a second to make it 8-6 after 19 minutes.
In rugby it is crucial to never get comfortable and Argentina won the kick-off and kicked a penalty. It was, nonetheless, Georgia who dominated the following minutes which led to a third Kvirikashvili penalty cut the lead after 31 minutes. Argentina appeared rocked but a clean Sánchez break saw Los Pumas press Georgia and Sánchez kick his second penalty of the match.
An injury concern led to Juan Martín Hernández leaving in the 36th minute and Jerónimo De la Fuente came on to defend as Georgia pounded away in the Pumas 22 looking for a score. Ultimately Argentina held on as the half came to a close following a forward pass from the Lelos.
Requiring a better seocnd half performance Argentina played a solid opening period tot he second half with Lavanini crossing for a second try that was deemed inconclusive by the TMO. The South Americans, though, scored from the following play with scrumhalf Tomás Cubelli crossing. Sánchez added the extras as the yellow carded captain Mamuka Gorgodze watched on from the sidelines.
Strong intent from the kick-off saw the South Americans running rather than kicking and following a good line from Alemanno Juan Imhoff finished off an impressive score and 28-9 became 35-9 shortly thereafter with Santiago Cordero scoring a world-class try from a set-move. In being the fourth try it secured Argentina a bonus point, something they failed to achieve four years ago in New Zealand.
Tries in the final ten minutes from Martín Landajo, Imhoff saw Argentina winning by a bigger margin than arguably deserved. Argentina can now regroup and focus on facing Tonga in Leicester. The Pacific Islanders will firstly take-on Namibia on Tuesday in Exeter. Georgia, meanwhile, will face New Zealand next Friday in Wales.
Scorers
Argentina
Try: Lavanini, Cubelli, Imhoff (2), Cordero (2), Landajo
Penalty: Sánchez (2), Bosch (2)
Dropgoal: Sánchez
Georgia
Penalties: Kvirikashvili (3)
Argentina
15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Juan Martin Hernandez, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustin Creevy (Captain), 1 Marcos Ayerza
16 Julian Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera, 18 Ramiro Herrera, 19 Javier Ortega Desio, 20 Pablo Matera, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Jeronimo De La Fuente, 23 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino
Georgia
15 Merab Kvirikashvili, 14 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13 Davit Kacharava, 12 Merab Sharikadze, 11 Giorgi Aptsiauri, 10 Lasha Malaguradze, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Mamuka Gorgodze (Captain), 7 Viktor Kolelishvili, 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 5 Konstantin Mikautadze, 4 Giorgi Nemsadze, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili
16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Karlen Asieshvili, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Levan Datunashvili, 20 Shalva Sutiashvili, 21 Giorgi Begadze, 22 Giorgi Pruidze, 23 Muraz Giorgadze
