Argentina XV open Nations Cup with win over Namibia

The Argentina XV opened the Nations Cup this afternoon with a 39-25 win over Namibia. The match was closer than anticipated yet ultimately the Argentina XV were able to win by a comfortable margin.

Played at the Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo, Uruguay the fixture was the tournament opener for the 2019 Nations Cup. For the Ignacio Fernández Lobbe coached Argentina XV it marked the beginning of the third assignment of the year.

The opening half saw the Argentina XV well below their best. They were trailing the Africans before scoring on the stroke of half-time to level the scores at 12-12 at the midway stage.

The sluggish start saw Namibia scoring the only points of the opening quarter. Doing so was hooker Obert Nortjé who crossed for an unconverted try in the 18th minute.

The Argentina XV’s start was underlined by their lack of points. They would finally open their account in the 27th minute with veteran winger Manuel Montero going over.

The 5-5 scoreline would be temporary as Namibia would strike back via Oderich Mouton. His 32nd try would be converted by Cliven Loubser to seemingly hand Namibia the half-time advantage. However with the Argentina XV camped on the Namibian try line they would ultimately secure a 12-12 half-time scoring as they were awarded a penalty try from their impressive scrum.

In the second half the Argentina XV would remain below their best but would nonetheless lift their game sufficiently. It would not be a half-time wake-up-call but, rather, after a further Namibian try.

RWC 2015 winger JC Greyling crossed in the 42nd minute for what would be Namibia’s one second half try. At the other end of the field the Argentina XV ran in tries via Nicolás Sbrocco, and a double to Facundo Cordero.

Next up for the Argentina XV will be Russia. The teams will meet on Sunday. Also competing again will be Namibia who will play a test match against Uruguay.

 

SCORING

ARGENTINA 39
Tries – M. Montero (28′), Penalty try (40′), N. Sbrocco (47′), F. Cordero 2 (52′, 72′)
Cons – T. Castiglioni 2/3 (48′, 53′), M. Roger 1/1 (73′)
Pens – T. Castiglioni 0/1, M. Roger 2/2 (67′, 80′)

NAMIBIA 25
Tries – O. Nortjé (18′), O. Mouton (34′), J. Greyling (42′)
Cons – C. Loubser 2/3 (35′, 43′)
Pens – C. Loubser 2/3 (61′, 70′)
Yellow cards – A. Coetzee (40′)

 

TEAMS

ARGENTINA XV
1 Nicolás Solveyra (17 Rodrigo Martínez 62′), 2 Jose Luis González (16 Diego Fortuny 53′), 3 Lucas Favre (18 Luciano Ortíz 68′), 4 Ignacio Calas, 5 Jerónimo Ureta, 6 Nicolás Sbrocco (19 Lucas Santa Cruz 60′), 7 Lautaro Bavaro (capt.), 8 Santiago Montagner (20 Rodrigo Bruni HT), 9 Martín Landajo (21 Manuel Nogués 73′), 10 Teo Castiglioni (22 Martín Roger 53′), 11 Manuel Montero (22 Martín Roger 1′-9′), 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 13 Agustín Segura, 14 Facundo Cordero, 15 Tomás Albornoz (23 Tomás Cubilla 68′)

NAMIBIA
1 Desiderius Sethie (17 André Rademeyer 53′), 2 Obert Nortjé, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 4 Johan Retief, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi (20 Prince Gaoseb 73′), 6 Thomasau Forbes (18 AJ De Klerk 40′-49′) (19 Wian Conradie 66′), 7 Max Katjijeko, 8 Janco Venter, 9 Eugene Jantjies (21 TC Kisting 66′), 10 Cliven Loubser, 11 Oderich Mouton, 12 Darryl de la Harpe (22 Justin Newman 75′), 13 Johan Deysel (capt.), 14 JC Greyling, 15 Johann Tromp (23 PW Steenkamp 53′)

Not used: 16 Niel van Vuuren

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

 

Attendance: 500