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Uruguay are the 2019 u20s champions of South America. In a spectacular performance Los Teritos claims a historic 38-32 win over Argentina in the 2019 South American u20s final.
The hosts added to their win over Chile earlier in the week to write history by defeating the previously untouchable Pumitas. The win was a brave effort but also a tactically sound one.
Uruguay was able to take control early to hold a 27-17 half time lead. It came on the back of tries to Felipe Arcos Pérez, Felipe Aliaga, and Juan Manuel Aguiar. Fly half Matías D’Avanzo was on target with his kicks to see Los Pumitas in serious trouble.
Argentina’s ten point half time deficit was by three tries to two. Scoring for Los Pumitas in the opening half were Tomás Acosta, and a penalty try. Their performance had been underwhelming though the real feature was Uruguay’s impressive play and sharp use of the ball.
In the second half Argentina improved greatly. Tries to hooker Mariano Muntaner, and fly half Nicolás Roger saw the teams level at 27-27.
The tide would eventually swing in favor of the home side with D’Avanzo landing back-to-back penalties to put Los Teros out to a six point lead. It would be extended upon through loose head Ezequiel Ramos. His try gave Uruguay an eleven point cushion with seven minutes left to play.
Los Pumitas would hit back with a late try. It came from a dominant rolling-maul and saw the lead cut back down to six points in the final minutes. With Uruguay trying to wind down the clock the were able to utilize resurgent defense to tackle their hearts out and hold-off Argentina.
With the full-time whistle blown Uruguay’s players erupted into massive celebrations. Only time will tell as to the significance of their victory. What it has already done is finally given Argentina a regional rival.
Los Teros will now go into the Junior World Trophy as a team to be considered as a genuine force. For Los Pumitas the defeat sees the hosts of the 2019 Junior World Championship humbled. Yet with the players expected to feature in the tournament currently in camp there is no reason to press the panic bottom.
SCORING
URUGUAY
Try: Pérez, Aliaga, Aguiar, Ramos
Conversion: D’Avanzo (3)
Penalty: D’Avanzo (4)
ARGENTINA
Try: Acosta, Penalty Try, Muntaner, Roger
Conversion: Roger
Penalty: Roger
TEAMS
URUGUAY
1 Ezequiel Ramos, 2 Carlos Gruss, 3 Faustino Etchegorry, 4 Juan Garese (capt.), 5 Felipe Aliaga, 6 Maxime Sonneveld, 7 Tomás Pollio, 8 Juan Manuel Aguiar, 9 Ignacio Rodríguez, 10 Matías D’Avanzo, 11 Juan Pablo Costabile, 12 Manuel Barreiro, 13 Felipe Arcos Pérez, 14 Alfonso Costa, 15 José Iruleguy
Replacements: 16 Santiago Bonasso, 17 Nahuel Sánchez, 18 Mateo Perillo, 19 Gastón Peyronel, 20 Felipe Lombardo, 21 Alfonso Cat, 22 Federico Slinger, 23 Santiago del Cerro
ARGENTINA
1 Francisco Coria, 2 Mariano Muntaner, 3 Juan Román González, 4 Augusto Vaccarini, 5 Ramiro Tallone, 6 Ignacio Vidal, 7 Juan Martín González (capt.), 8 Jerónimo Gómez Vara, 9 Joaquín Pellandini, 10 Nicolás Roger, 11 Rodrigo Isgró, 12 Facundo Pueyrredón, 13 Tomás Acosta Pimentel, 14 Marcos Moneta, 15 Julián Quetglas
Replacements: 16 Francisco Minervino, 17 Ignacio Noel, 18 Hugo García, 19 Agustín Toth, 20 Juan Cruz Pérez Rachel, 21 Facundo Elías, 22 Bautista Farise, 23 Pedro Hernández
