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The Uruguay XV were on course for an impressive win over the Argentina XV on Sunday. Played in Montevideo, the home side were ahead 26-12 at the hour mark. The Argentina XV fought back to draw level with the match ending 26-26 well past the 80th minute mark.
With both teams having won their prior Uruguay Conference fixture against the USA Falcons, the result sees the Argentina XV lifting the trophy. The size of the Argentina XV’s win compared to that of the Uruguay XV was decisive.
The Uruguay XV will be feeling unhappy with the final score, though thoughts will quickly move on to the test team. The match had next-of-XV status; yet, it is not reflective of the teams. Many of Uruguay’s front-line players were involved. Manuel Ardao was a stand-out. He was joined by regulars Ignacio Dotti, Juan Echeverría and Santiago Civetta in the forwards.
As was the case against the USA Falcons, the Uruguay XV fielded less proven names in a variety of positions across the backline. Santiago Álvarez had an opportunity at scrum-half, Juan Andrés Zuccarino at inside center, Nicolas Conti on the left wing and José Iruleguy at fullback.
A steady start from the Uruguay XV had the team 6-0 up within the opening 10 minutes. Fly half Felipe Etcheverry kicked both before putting his team 13-0 ahead with as many minutes have been played. In an impressive move from a scrum, Etcheverry ran around and broke the defense before finding José Iruleguy who ran in the game’s first try.
The deficit saw the Argentina XV waking-up. Center Mariano García Ascárate was a man over following quick recycled ball to touch down in the 18th minute. His try would be countered by Uruguay XV hooker Guillermo Pujadas nine minutes later with a trademark score from a maul. The scores were now 18-7 with the Uruguay XV playing good rugby.
Recent Pumas debutant, Pedro Rubiolo scored the final points of the opening half. He returned the favor by scoring from an advancing maul. His powerful frame is likely to be seen in the November Internationals. The Argentina XV were able to narrow the half-time deficit to 18-12 due to his 37th minute try.
The Uruguay XV came out firing in the second-half. Their third try of the match would be their last, though as Manuel Ardao’s 46th minute score was the final try for the home side. The back-rower showed neat work to take a quick penalty tap, kick through, regather and score. The Uruguay XV’s remaining points were from an Etcheverry penalty in the 59th minute.
With the scoreline reading 26-12 in favor of the Uruguay XV, the Argentina XV needed reinforcements from the replacements to turn around the match. They succeeded in outscoring the Uruguay XV as they won more small battles than they lost in the final quarter.
Winger Mateo Soler added to his fine showing against the USA Falcons by touching down in the try zone in the 68th minute. The Argentina XV was within inches of the try zone which saw the ball spun wide for Soler to score unmarked. With the conversion successful a nervous finish for both teams was guaranteed.
The Argentina XV powered away to find their way over for the late try that they needed. It took six minutes of additional time for it to come. It came in the form of a penalty try. It was a sour note to end the contest for the Uruguay XV, but a reminder that the project of developing more players for the World Cup is not yet over.
SCORING
URUGUAY XV 26
Try – J Iruleguy (13′), G Pujadas (27′), M Ardao (46′)
Con – F Etcheverry 2/3 (14′, 28′)
Pen – F Etcheverry 3/3 (3′, 8′, 59′)
ARGENTINA XV 26
Try – M García Ascárate (18′), P Rubiolo (37′), M Soler (67′), Penalty Try (80′ +6)
Con – J de la Vega Mendía 2/3 (19′, 68′), No Kick (80′ +6)
TEAMS
URUGUAY XV
1 Juan Echeverría, 2 Guillermo Pujadas, 3 Ignacio Peculo, 4 Eric Dosantos, 5 Ignacio Dotti, 6 Lucas Bianchi, 7 Santiago Civetta (capt.), 8 Manuel Ardao, 9 Santiago Álvarez, 10 Felipe Etcheverry, 11 Nicolás Conti, 12 Juan Andrés Zuccarino, 13 Juan Manuel Alonso, 14 Rodrigo Silva, 15 José Iruleguy
Replacements: 16 Emiliano Faccennini, 17 Matías Benítez, 18 Reinaldo Piussi, 19 Agustín Morales, 20 Diego Magno, 21 Manuel Diana, 22 Pedro Hoblog, 23 Facundo Facciolo
ARGENTINA XV
1 Miguel Prince, 2 Ignacio Ruiz (capt.), 3 Santiago Medrano, 4 Franco Molina, 5 Ignacio Calas, 6 Nicolás D’Amorim, 7 Pedro Rubiolo, 8 Jerónimo Gómez Vara, 9 Eliseo Morales, 10 Joaquín de la Vega Mendía, 11 Faustino Sánchez Valarolo, 12 Mariano García Ascárate, 13 Ramiro Costa, 14 Mateo Soler, 15 Juan Ignacio Landó
Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Nicolás Revol Pitt, 18 Javier Coronel, 19 Gregorio Hernández, 20 Lorenzo Colidio, 21 Juan Bautista Mernes, 22 Rafael Iriarte, 23 Joaquín Lamas
