Pumitas Fall Flat Against Georgia

Los Pumitas fell flat against Georgia this morning, losing 26-25 in the Junior World Championship. The result is Argentina’s third defeat in-a-row and sends the team into a battle to avoid relegation. Los Pumitas will face Samoa on Sunday with the loser finishing last in the World Rugby Junior World Championship and being relegated to the Junior World Trophy.

Having been badly beaten by South Africa and also losing to France, today’s defeat raises questions over the competitiveness of the current side. 12 months ago Los Pumitas were Semi Finalists but now they are fighting to avoid relegation.

Their loss at the hands of Georgia today was that of a traten pack. An impressive start from the Georgians saw Beka Saghinadze crossing for an early try. Scrum half Gela Aprasidze added the conversion.

Los Pumitas opened their account with a penalty. Fly half Tomás Albornoz made it a 7-3 scoreline but Georgia continued to have the upper hand. This was enforced by captain IliaIlia Spanderashvili who responded to score Georgia’s second try.

Pumitas fullback Bautista Delguy demonstrated his attacking weaponry to score. His try would not be converted though Albonoz would land a second opening half penalty. With Aprasidze having an impressive match the Lelos went into half time leading 23-11.

The Argentine backs came out firing after the break. Center Facundo Ferrario went over to make it a 23-18 scoreline. With it the match was up for grabs.

Georgian defense kept Argentina in their opening half. A frustrated Pumitas side was unable to advance. This saw the clock ticking over while Argentina remained behind.

Aprasidze sealed the result with several minutes remaining. Argentina needed two late scores but could only achieved one. Crossing was captain Tomás Malanos. His score, though, was a consolation try. Los Pumitas were beaten by a better side.

SCORING
GEORGIA
Try: Saghinadze, Spanderashvili
Conversion: Aprasidze (2)
Penalty: Aprasidze (3)
Yellow Card: Tabidze

ARGENTINA
Try: Delguy, Ferrario, Malanos
Conversion: Daireaux
Penalty: Albornoz (2)
Yellow Card: A Luna

GEORGIA
15 Irakli Mobedadze, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Beka Gavashelishvili, 12 Giorgi Kveseladze, 11 Mikheil Meskhi, 10 Tedo Abzhandadze, 9 Gela Aprasidze, 8 Arseni Machaladze, 7 IliaIlia Spanderashvili (Capt.), 6 Tornike Jalagonia, 5 Koba Jimsheleishvili, 4 Beka Saghinadze, 3 Lasha Tabidze, 2 Guri Papidze, 1 Guram Gogichashvili

ARGENTINA
15 Bautista Delguy, 14 Tomás Malanos (Capt.), 13 Facundo Ferrario, 12 Teo Castiglioni, 11 Luciano González, 10 Tomás Albornoz, 9 Matías Sauze, 8 Juan Molina, 7 Santiago Ruiz, 6 Agustín Medrano, 5 Nahuel Milán, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Mayco Vivas, 2 José Luis González, 1 Santiago Pulella