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RWC 1995 Semi Finalists, England began their campaign against Argentina. They were unable to score a try in the contest, though they were 24-18 winners. It was a tough result for Los Pumas, although it was an important result from them to learn upon as they developed towards their break-through RWC campaign four years later.
The first try was scored by Patricio Noriega. The Argentine tight head went on to play Super Rugby in Australia and subsequently be lost to Argentina and capped by the Wallabies. His score was known as the “Gran Cacho.” The try was from a five meter tap and saw the forwards charging in together to score. World Rugby made sure it would not happen twice as they outlawed it following the match.
Argentina lost all three matches in the tournament, yet was in a winning chance on all occasions. This was reflected in the final points table. Argentina finished second on points differential ahead of both Samoa and Italy.
Upon reflection, RWC 1995 is illustrative of Argentina’s growth. A simple comparison between Argentina, Italy and Samoa in 1995 and today is explanatory. Los Pumas have a demonstrate resumé that far outweighs both Samoa and Italy in the years since 1995. On the one hand, it is two RWC Semi Final appearances for Argentina while, on the other, neither Italy nor Samoa have made it out of the pool during this period.
At RWC 2019 both Italy and Samoa continued to play with large numbers of imported players rather than home reproached players. Against Argentina in 1995, both also played this way. RWC 2023 may see change as Italy has invested in its junior program in recent years.
SCORING
ENGLAND (24)
Penalty: Andrew 6
Drop Goal: Andrew (2)
ARGENTINA (18)
Try: Noriega, Arbizu
Conversion: Arbizu
Penalty: Arbizu (2)
TEAMS
ENGLAND
1 Jason Leonard, 2 Brian Moore, 3 Victor Ubogu, 4 Martin Johnson, 5 Martin Bayfield, 6 Tim Rodber, 7 Ben Clarke, 8 Steve Ojomoh, 9 Dewi Morris, 10 Rob Andrew, 11 Rory Underwood, 12 Jeremy Guscott, 13 Will Carling (Capt.), 14 Tony Underwood, 15 Mike Catt
Replacements: 16 Neil Back, 17 Phil de Glanville, 18 Jon Callard, 19 Kyran Bracken, 20 Graham Rowntree, 21 Graham Dawe
ARGENTINA
1 Matías Corral, 2 Federico Méndez, 3 Patricio Noriega, 4 Germán Llanes, 5 Pedro Sporleder, 6 Rolando Martín, 7 Cristian Viel Temperley, 8 José Santamarina, 9 Rodrigo Crexell, 10 Lisandro Arbizu, 11 Diego Albanese, 12 Sebastián Salvat (capt.), 13 Diego Cuesta Silva, 14 Martín Terán Nogues, 15 Ezequiel Jurado
Replacements: 16 Sebastián Irazoqui, 17 Ricardo Le Fort, 18 Marcelo Urbano, 19 Agustín Pichot, 21 Guillermo del Castillo, 22 Fernando del Castillo
