Uruguay win back-to-back Nations Cups

Uruguay defeated the Argentina XV this afternoon to win back-to-back Nations Cup titles. Uruguay’s 26-20 victory was a determined effort and sees the northern county of the Rio de la Plata successfully defending their Nations Cup title.

The extent of the significance of the triumph cannot be overlooked. Less than a month ago the Argentina XV was at home against the Uruguay XV and won 64-15. While it was officially the ‘A’ side the reality is that it was largely the same players involved. Mateo Sanguinetti, Germán Kessler, Juan Echeverría, Ignacio Dotti, Juan Manuel Gaminara, Leandro Segredro, Juan Manuel Cat, Nicolás Freitas, Andrés Vilaseca, Joaquín Prada, Leandro Leivas, Gastón Mieres all started both games. That is to say 12 of Uruguay’s players started both.

The hero of the match for Uruguay was Felipe Berchesi. The Dax fly half controlled proceedings, notably outplaying Joaquín Díaz Bonilla. Yet his opening attempt at claiming points was a failure. Breeches’ 4th minute attempted penalty sailed wide.

Berchesi would make amends in the 12th minute. His second attempt at goal saw Uruguay opening a 3-0 lead.

The Argentina XV had an opportunity to equalize two minutes later. Yet instead of going for goal the Felipe Contepomi coached side kicked for the corner. No try would come.

Five minutes later and the Argentina XV again opted against kicking for goal when within range. Camped in the Uruguayan 22 the Argentina XV turned down a straight-forward shot at goal to taker a scrum. The incident itself was a notable feature of the match as referee Mike Adamson was unable to communicate in Spanish with the players. Ultimately captain Juan Manuel Gaminara, a flanker, was called-up to translate to his props, outlining the referees requirements.

The Argentina XV eventually went for the posts. The 26th minute effort from Díaz Bonilla would level the scores but Uruguay would take little time in restoring their advantage. They did so in the 31st minute through a Berchesi penalty.

Before and after the penalty strike it was the Argentina XV that were enjoying the better rugby. This was further enforced in the 35th minute with Teros prop Juan Echeverría being yellow carded. The double blow came with the Argentina XV being awarded a penalty try.

The penalty try gave the Argentina XV a 10-6 half time lead. It would be extended upon in the 45th minute through Lucas Favre. The Argentina XV tighthead barged over following breaks from Lucas Mensa and Tomás Cubelli.

The Argentina XV’s 17-6 lead appeared to have the visitors on course for victory. Yet Uruguay would mount a come back. It came despite Andrés Vilaseca being disallowed a try int he 52nd minute. He was tackled into touch and appeared to have grounded the ball but the TMO was unable to clarify the grounding.

Two minutes later Uruguay reduced the deficit to eight points. They did so via the boot of Berchesi. Yet with them now trailing 17-9 they turned down a shot at goal to kick for the corner. The passage of play was followed by both Joaquín Díaz Bonilla and Gaspar Baldunciel being yellow carded within a minute of each other.

Uruguay’s try would come. It was started and finished by the same player – Leandro Leivas. Having burst down the right he went no to score in the left corner following an advancing maul. Berchesi added the extras.

In the 66th minute the Argentina XV had a penalty. Still down to 13 men they went to fullback Gastón Arias to kick for goal. His attempt was off target.

Four minutes later Berchesi put in a well-aimed cross-kick to the right corner which was gathered by Manuel Diana. He touched down out wide with Berchesi landing the difficult conversion to make it 23-17.

Time was running out for the Argentina XV. They had gone from being in control to being behind and unable to catchup. With five minutes remaining Díaz Bonilla would strike a penalty to make it 23-20 yet Berchesi would cancel it out three minutes later.

With time up Uruguay had possession yet referee Adamson was unclear as to whether it was full tie or not. As such Uruguay attacked with their forwards until the Argentina XV turned over there ball and counter attacked. Eventually a loose ball found Ferchesi who ran it into touch while being tackled. With it Uruguay claimed a famous 26-20 victory.

 

SCORING

URUGUAY 26
Tries – L. Leivas (61′), M. Diana (69′)
Cons – F. Berchesi 2/2 (62′, 70′)
Pens – F. Berchesi 4/4 (12′, 30′, 53′, 78′)
Yellow cards – J. Echeverría (35′)

ARGENTINA XV 20
Tries – Penalty try (37′), L. Favre (44′)
Cons – J. Díaz Bonilla 1/1 (45′)
Pens – J. Díaz Bonilla 2/2 (25′, 75′), G. Arias 0/1
Yellow cards – J. Díaz Bonilla (58′), G. Baldunciel (60′)

 

TEAMS

URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti (17 Matías Benitez 70′), 2 Germán Kessler (16 Carlos Pombo 58′), 3 Juan Echeverría (18 Felipe Inciarte 70′), 4 Ignacio Dotti, 5 Manuel Leindekar (19 Diego Ayala 70′), 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (capt.), 7 Leandro Segredo (18 Felipe Inciarte 35′-45′) (21 Juan Diego Ormaechea 63′), 8 Alejandro Nieto (20 Manuel Diana 52′), 9 Agustín Ormaechea (22 Santiago Arata 52′), 10 Felipe Berchesi, 11 Nicolás Freitas, 12 Andrés Vilaseca, 13 Joaquín Prada, 14 Leandro Leivas, 15 Gastón Mieres

Not used: 23 Manuel Blengio

ARGENTINA XV
1 Nicolás Solveyra (17 Franco Brarda 54′), 2 Gaspar Baldunciel (16 Diego Fortuny 72′), 3 Lucas Favre (18 Marco Ciccioli 57′), 4 Jerónimo Ureta, 5 Ignacio Larrague, 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón (20 Benjamín Macome 62′), 7 Lautaro Bavaro (capt.), 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 10 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (22 Tomás Granella 76′), 11 Manuel Montero, 12 Lucas Mensa, 13 Santiago Resino, 14 Matías Moroni (23 Tomás Jorge 76′), 15 Gastón Arias

Not used: 19 Federico Gutiérrez, 21 Gregorio del Prete

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)