Argentina fall to Australia in forgettable showing

Argentina fell to Australia this morning in a forgettable showing. In an error-ridden performance Los Pumas produced their worst performance under Mario Ledesma.

In a production effort which resembled that of the late years under Daniel Hourcade, Argentina were beaten 16-10 by the Wallabies. The home side were deserved winners as Los Pumas blew two first half try scoring opportunities and had poor ball-handling throughout.

The six point difference came in the form of two more penalties from the Wallabies than from Los Pumas. Christian Leali’ifano slotted three in the match while his opposite, Nicolás Sánchez landed one.

The Wallabies would be leading 10-3 at half-time. Their lead came from one penalty, and a try scored by Reece Hodge which Leali’ifano converted. The score was a brilliant set-piece move in which Marika Koroibete broke through past Matías Moroni to create the opportunity for Hodge to finish from.

At the other end Argentina’s attack had been impressive but chances were not capitalized upon. A clean break from Moroni would result in Tomás Cubelli being tackled meters short yet patience saw an unnecessary knock-on from loose head Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.

Minutes earlier the forwards also went close to scoring only for impatience to see a turn-over and the Wallabies kicking clear.

Decision-making was also problematic. On two occasions in the first half Sánchez opted for quick taps rather than kicking penalties for territory. They would both be turned-over within two phases by Australia.

The 10-3 half-time lead would become 16-3. This happened with Leali’ifano landing two penalties, completing a perfect 100% kicking record from his four shots at goal in the match.

The scores would remain as such until into the final ten minutes. Then, suddenly, the dire contest was alive as Facundo Isa broke free to score. The Toulon back-rower’s try was converted by replacement Joaquín Díaz Bonilla.

The result sees Australia claiming four points and Argentina one. Both teams will play again on two weeks time. The final round of the reduced Rugby Championship will see Los Pumas hosting South Africa in Salta on August 10.

SCORING

AUSTRALIA 16
Tries – R. Hodge (32′)
Cons – C. Leali’ifano 1/1 (33′)
Pens – C. Leali’ifano 3/3 (11′, 43′, 51′), M. To’omua 0/1

ARGENTINA 10
Tries – F. Isa (74′)
Cons – J. Díaz Bonilla 1/1 (75′)
Pens – N. Sánchez 1/1 (24′)

TEAMS

AUSTRALIA
1 Scott Sio (17 James Slipper 48′), 2 Folau Fainga’a (16 Tolu Latu 58′), 3 Sekope Kepu (18 Taniela Tupou HT), 4 Izack Rodda (20 Luke Jones 75′), 5 Rory Arnold (19 Rob Simmons 60′), 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 7 Michael Hooper (capt.), 8 Isi Naisarani (20 Luke Jones 66′-75′), 9 Will Genia (21 Nic White 60′), 10 Christian Leali’ifano (22 Matt To’omua 52′), 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Samu Kerevi, 13 Tevita Kuridrani (23 James O’Connor 69′), 14 Reece Hodge 15 Kurtley Beale

ARGENTINA
1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (17 Mayco Vivas 54′), 2 Julián Montoya (16 Santiago Socino 70′), 3 Juan Figallo (18 Ramiro Herrera 51′), 4 Guido Petti, 5 Tomás Lavanini (19 Matías Alemanno 51′), 6 Pablo Matera (capt.) (20 Juan Manuel Leguizamón 66′), 7 Tomás Lezana, 8 Facundo Isa, 9 Tomás Cubelli (21 Felipe Ezcurra 69′), 10 Nicolás Sánchez (22 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla 61′), 11 Ramiro Moyano, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 13 Matías Moroni (23 Matías Orlando 65′), 14 Santiago Cordero, 15 Joaquín Tuculet

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZRU)
Assistants: Paul Williams (NZRU) & Brendon Pickerill (NZRU)
TMO: Ben Skeen (NZRU)