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The Argentina XV knocked down Canada by a score of 40-15 in Jujuy on Saturday evening. The win sees Argentina going to an overall record of 3-1 in the Americas Rugby Championship and gives them a shot at the title, but they’ll need a big game from Uruguay against the USA next week to take the spoils.
While the Argentina XV won cleanly the opening points were scored from Canada. Doing so was Brock Staller who landed an early penalty. It would be the only time in the match in which Canada held a lead.
The Argentina XV responded through fly half Lucas Mensa. The Pucará playmaker latched onto a pass from centre Juan Cappiello and charged his way over. The attempted conversion was off-target.
The second quarter opened with a superb try scored by Santiago Álvarez. A team effort had the Jaguar going over in the right corner. Fullback Juan Cruz Mallía converted to put the home side 12-5 ahead.
Now firmly on top the Argentina XV scored their third first half try. Scoring was center Santiago Resino who backed up a break from flanker Mariano Romanini.
Canada hit back, scoring their opening try in the 33rd minute. Crossing was veteran hooker Ray Barkwill. He did so on the back of a rolling maul which saw him touching down in the left corner. With the missed conversion the Argentina XV would go in to half time leading 19-8.
The Argentina XV powered out early in the second half. Quick hands and pace into contact contributed to Santiago Resino scoring his second try. It was converted by Mallía who would soon thereafter add another, this time for a try from Santiago Montagner.
The Argentina XV had quickly established a 33-8 lead. Canadian captain Phil Mack, though, cancelled out one of them with a dart around the fringes. His 56th minute score was converted by Staller.
A disallowed try from Rodrigo Etchart was followed by an extended period of Canada controlling play. The North Americans however failed to add further points.
With the game into its final 10 minutes the Argentina XV scored for the sixth time. Crossing was Gastón Arias who provided support and ran well to step his way around and cross. Replacement Juan Cruz González added the conversion to take the Argentina XV up to 40 points.
Argentina will finish their 2018 ARC against Brazil next weekend. Canada head to Santiago aiming for their second win of the competition against Chile.
SCORING
ARGENTINA 40
Tries – L. Mensa (14’), S. Álvarez (24’), S. Resino 2 (27’, 45’), S. Montagner (48’), G. Arias (76’)
Cons – J. Mallía 4/5 (25’, 28’, 46’, 49’), J. González 1/1 (77’)
CANADA 15
Tries – R. Barkwill (31’), P. Mack (56’)
Cons – B. Staller 1/2 (57’)
Pens – B. Staller 1/1 (11’)
TEAMS
ARGENTINA XV
1 Franco Brarda (17 Francisco Ferronato 49’), 2 Gaspar Baldunciel (16 Diego Fortuny 50’), 3 Santiago Medrano (18 Lucas Favre 61’), 4 Santiago Portillo, 5 Ignacio Larrague, 6 Mariano Romanini (20 Nicolás Sbrocco 61’), 7 Tomás de la Vega (capt.) (19 Jerónimo Ureta 56’), 8 Santiago Montagner, 9 Felipe Ezcurra (21 Gregorio del Prete 61’), 10 Lucas Mensa (22 Juan Cruz González 61’), 11 Rodrigo Etchart, 12 Juan Cappiello, 13 Santiago Resino, 14 Santiago Álvarez (23 Gastón Arias 61’), 15 Juan Cruz Mallía
CANADA
1 Djustice Sears-Duru (17 Anthony Luca 70’), 2 Ray Barkwill (19 Noah Barker 78’), 3 Jake Ilnicki (18 Ryan Kotlewski 66’), 4 Josh Larsen, 5 Conor Keys, 6 Kyle Baillie (20 Cam Polson 61’), 7 Lucas Rumball, 8 Dustin Dobravsky (16 Martial Lagain 66’), 9 Phil Mack (capt.) (21 Andrew Ferguson 78’), 10 Robbie Povey (23 Kainoa Lloyd 49’), 11 Brock Staller, 12 Nick Blevins (22 Guiseppe du Toit 78’), 13 Doug Fraser, 14 Cole Davis, 15 Patrick Parfrey
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Joaquín Montes (URU)
