Argentina Outperformed by England in London

Argentina were outperformed by England in London this afternoon. The 27-14 loss sees Los Pumas end their U.K. tour winless. With it the South Americans are ranked 9th in the world and now rely on a poor Six Nations campaign by one or more of France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to avoid a Pool of Death in Japan 2015.

Against England Los Pumas had their moments. Argentina scored two tries, the same number as the home side. Argentina’s scores through Facundo Isa and Santiago Cordero underlined the success of the PladAR program.

Daniel Hourcade has placed faith in both try scorers. They have been able to quickly rise to become genuine world class athletes. The same is true of others though the talking point continues to be the non-selection of those based in Europe.

With injuries to Emiliano Boffelli, Manuel Montero and Joaquín Tuculet Hourcade played Matías Orlando and Juan Pablo Estelles as his wingers this afternoon. Both players are outside centers by trade.

The Eddie Jones coached England would also field a center on the wing. Elliot Daly started on the left wing, playing opposite Orlando. Daly’s match, though, was to last just 4 minutes. He was red carded for tackling Leonardo Senatore in the air. The No 8 fell on to his head and would not play again.

Playing with a numerical advantage Argentina had a great opportunity to win. In terms of numbers Argentina was impressive. Los Pumas made 721 meters, more than double that of England’s 330 meters. Yet England won 10 turnovers and Argentina 3.

Tactically Argentina was beaten. Penalties from Owen Farrell saw England home. They came on the back of defending better and playing smarter.

England opened the scoring through Farrell. The Saracens fly half come England inside center kicked his first of five of the afternoon in the opening minutes.

With Argentina unable to click early on England went 9-0 ahead through Farrell before crossing for the first try. An attempted penalty rebounded off the posts only for Argentina to gift the home side seven points. Orlando slapped down a pass rather than attempt to gather it. Referee Pascal Gauzere awarded a penalty try and yellow carded Orlando. Farrell landed the conversion.

Trailing 17-0 Argentina responded with the opening half running to a close. With Argentina putting England under pressure at the scrum Tight Head Dan Cole was yellow carded. Los Pumas used the advantage in the pack to score with Isa crossing.

Playing with 15 against 13 Argentina opened the second half well. Cordero scored early in the second half to bring the game back to life. It came from within the Pumas own 22. Cordero passed to Estelles who ran down the sideline to draw Jonny May. Estelles fed Santiago González Iglesias who returned the ball to Cordero who scored under there posts.

Following the try the scoreline was 16-14. It would, however, be Argentina’s final points. England would go on to soak up the pressure and punish Argentina’s ill discipline. The loss of Pablo Matera to a yellow card preceded Jonny May’s try.

Additional Farrell penalties combined with the try secured England’s victory. But with five mintues remaining an ugly incident saw promising Tight Head Enrique Pieretto red carded. Pieretto was sent off for stomping on the head of Joe Marler. It meant both teams finished the match with 13 players.

SCORERS
ENGLAND
Try: Penalty, May
Conversion: Farrell
Penalty: Farrell (5)
Yellow Card: Cole (40th minute), Marler (75th minute)
Red Card: Daly (4th minute)

ARGENTINA
Try: Isa, Cordero
Conversion: Hernández (2)
Yellow Card: Orlando (28th minute), Matera (65th minute)
Red Card: Pieretto (75th minute)

ENGLAND
15 Mike Brown, 14 Jonny May, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Kruis, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt.), 1 Mako Vunipola

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Teimana Harrison, 21 Danny Care, 22 Ben Te’o, 23 Henry Slade

ARGENTINA
15 Santiago Cordero, 14 Matías Orlando, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Santiago González Iglesias, 11 Juan Pablo Estelles, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (capt.), 1 Lucas Noguera Paz

Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Facundo Isa, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 23 Gabriel Ascarate