Video: On This Day in 2015

On this day in 2015 Argentina faced Tonga in Leicester. The match was the 7th fixture of Pool C of the Rugby World Cup. Both teams were playing for the third time. With one win and one loss each it was a must-win game for both countries.

Injury concerns saw Argentina starting Jerónimo de la Fuente and Matías Moroni in the mid-field. Missing out were the seasoned Juan Martín Hernández and Marcelo Bosch. Daniel Hourcade was otherwise able to name his strongest lineup.

Both de la Fuente and Moroni had fine games. In many ways their performances against Tonga ensured they would be used again for subsequent matches. In terms of longevity it was a performance which enabled both to go forward and be potential centers with an eye to 2019.

Neither center would score but four other backs would. Indeed four of Argentina’s five tries were the result of running rugby. The first to score was Joaquín Tuculet who did so after an initial break from Moroni.

The score cancelled out Tonga’s earlier try. Argentina immediately followed it up with their second try. From the kick-off Santiago Cordero broke down the touch line, gaining 40 meters. His past to Guido Petti who took the tackle. Quick ball then found Juan Imhoff who stepped inside to score untouched.

Tonga was never the same and was unable to catch Argentina thereafter. Soane Tonga’uiha went over for an impressive try to close the gap but it was always too big. Missed kicks at goal did not help but the reality is that Los Pumas were winning the arm wrestle.

Sánchez’s goal kicking was close to perfection. In a man-of-the-match performance the Tucumán fly half scored 25 points. Five of these were from a second half try, Argentina’s third of the afternoon. Both Julián Montoya and Cordero would cross for late tries to see Argentina home with a 45-16 win.

Los Pumas were well supported by the Leicester crowd. Part of the reason was the neutrals from the city and area getting behind Marcos Ayerza. Few players have been as important to the Leicester Tigers than has Ayerza over the past decade.

There was also no shortage of Argentine supporters in the crowd. Among them was FIFA World Cup winner Diego Maradona. He motivated the players in the dressing room and was regularly appearing on the screen in the stadium as screaming support for his country.

SCORERS
Argentina
Try: Tuculet, Imhoff, Sánchez, Montoya, Cordero
Conversion: Sánchez 4
Penalty: Sánchez 4

Tonga
Try: Morath, Tonga’uiha
Penalty: Morath (2)

Argentina
15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo de La Fuente, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (capt.), 1 Marcos Ayerza

Replacements: 16 Julían Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera Paz, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Horacio Agulla.

Tonga
15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Sione Piukala, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Nili Latu (capt.), 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Joseph Tuineau, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 3 Halani Aulika, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Soane Tonga’uiha

Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Sila Puafisi, 19 Sitiveni Mafi, 20 Opeti Fonua, 21 Samisoni Fisilau, 22 Latiume Fosita, 23 David Halaifonua.