Argentina XV Pushed Hard by Pumitas in Don Torcuato

The Argentina XV were pushed hard by Los Pumitas today at the Hindú club in Don Torcuato. The team’s met in what was match preparation for both ahead of their respective upcoming international programs. The Argentina XV won 38-31.

Involved were not only Argentina’s leading players junior players and seniors outside of Super Rugby but even a number of players from Super Rugby itself. Prematch Tomás Cubelli received plenty of attention as he played for the first time in 200 days.

The former Brumbies scrum-half was joined by Jaguares, past or present, Felipe Arregui, Ignacio Larrague and Benjamín Macome in the starting XV. Also involved were Franco Brarda, Rodrigo Bruni, Lucas Favre, Nicolás Leiva and Axel Zapata, all of whom have trained under Mario Ledesma in 2018.

Both the Argentina XV and Los Pumitas played with 30-man teams. There were opportunities for players from both sides to receive plenty of game time.

In the opening half the Argentina XV were the better team comfortably. Scoring first was Julián Dominguez, doing so in the left corner. He got a pass from Santiago Resino who was able to attract defenders and offload.

In the thick of the action was Cubelli. In addition to proving Resino with the pass for the opening try he got the Argentina XV’s forwards close for the second. Quick ball meters out saw the Macome diving over.

Try number three was also scored by the Argentina XV. This time Cubelli combined with both of his props. Firstly a pass off the deck to Arregui sent the Loose Head running some 40 meters down field before being tackled. Recycled ball saw Cubelli linking with Favre who dived over.

The one way traffic ended with Los Pumas scoring a brilliant try. It was started and finished by fly half Juan Bautista Daireaux. Following a line-break he took a tackle 30 meters upfield. He then provided support in chasing a kick from Santiago Carreras and would go over.

From a scrum the Argentina XV responded. Santiago Portillo picked up from no 8 and combined with Cubelli. The scrum-half went clear, running 20 meters to score. With it the scores were 24-7 to end the first half.

The replacements were rolled-out for the second half. Crossing first was Tomás Videla who received a superb pass from Nicolás Cantarutti. It was followed by a sleak break by Juan Cruz Mallía from fullback who passed to right winger José Barros Sosa to fly down the touchline and score.

Both Videla’s and Barros Sosa’s tries were converted by Cantarutti. They brought the scoring to 38-7 yet the Argentina XV would fail to score again.

At the other end of the field Los Pumitas would run-in some four tries in the final quarter. Santiago Grondona and Martín Santiago each scored one while fullback Mateo Carreras bagged a double.

SCORING

ARGENTINA XV
Try: Domínguez, Macome, Favre, Cubelli, Videla, Barros Sosa
Conversion: Granella (2), Cantarutti (2)

PUMITAS
Try: Daireaux, Grondona, Carreras (2), Santiago
Conversion: Daireaux, Nogues (2)

ARGENTINA XV
15 Juan Cruz Mallía, 14 José Barros Sosa, 13 Santiago Resino, 12 Lucas Mensa, 11 Julián Domínguez, 10 Tomás Granella, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Santiago Portillo, 7 Lautaro Bavaro (capt.), Francisco Granella, 5 Ignacio Larrague, 4 Benjamín Macome, 3 Lucas Favre, 2 Bruno Fortuny. 1 Felipe Arregui

Replacements: 16 Axel Zapata, 17 Franco Brarda, 18 Nicolás Leiva, 19 Diego Galetto, 20 Mariano Romanini, 21 Lucas Magnasco, 22 Nicolás Cantarutti, 23 Tomás Videla, 24 Rodrigo Bruni, 25 Jerónimo Ureta

PUMITAS
15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Pablo Avellaneda, 13 Juan Pablo Castro, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Juan Bautista Daireaux, 9 Manuel Nogúes, 8 Bautista Pedemonte, 7 Juan Ignacio Molina, 6 Joaquín de la Vega (capt.), 5 Federico Lavanini, 4 Salvador Ochoa, 3 Mayco Viva, 2 Martín Santiago, 1 Gonzalo Hughes

Replacements: 16 Santiago Ruiz, 17 Luciano Santangelo, 18 Lució Sordoni, 19 Nicolas Walker, 20 Santiago Grondona, 21 Gonzalo García, 24 Lucas Bur, 25 Rodrigo Fernández Criado, 26 Agustin Mansilla, 28 Rodrigo Martínez, 29 Lucas Paulos, 30 Santiago Guillogan, 31 Ignacio Mendy, 34 Agustín Segura