Powerful Argentina defeat Chile in South American u19’s

A powerful performance from Argentina saw Los Pumitas easily overcoming Chile in the South American u19’s. The 68-0 victory set up a final between Los Pumitas and Uruguay.

The match was game two in the Sudamericano de Rugby u19. Taking place in Santa Fé, Argentina, the home side ran riot at the famous rugby field of CRAI.

Los Pumitas opened a 28-0 half-time lead. A combination of execution and patience saw the superior of the two teams well in control. The first score came early with hooker Joaquín Jakiche touching down. Winger Rafael O’Gorman, massive prop Gael Galván and flanker Juan Sagrera also all scored in the try zone in the opening half.

Fly half Facundo Rodríguez enjoyed a solid opening half too; he converted all four tries. In the second-half, however, changes saw replacement Santino Di Lucca taking over. He came away with a 4/5 performance.

Argentina’s second-half scores again started early. N8 Joaquín Aguilar was the first scorer of the half. His try was followed by one to the captain Benjamín Elizalde. He transferred his form from Super Rugby Americas for Los Pampas into the representative arena.

Elizalde’s try was followed by center Santino Zangara touching down almost immediately. Also crossing was Dogos XV forward Efraín Elías. He is among the leading second-row contenders to be capped during the new World Cup cycle. Replacement hooker Marcos Camerlinck ended the scoring with a try-scoring double.

Los Pumitas now eye Uruguay for the South American title. Los Teritos defeated Chile 45-17 in the prior match of the tournament. In doing so, Uruguay confirmed their spot again at the World Rugby U20 Trophy in 2024.

 

SCORING

ARGENTINA (68)
Try – J Yakiche (3′); R O’Gorman (13′); G Galván (18′); J Sagrera (27′); J Aguilar (45′); B Elizalde (52′); S Zangara (54′); E Elías (59′); M Camerlinckx 2 (63′, 69′)
Con – F Rodríguez 4/4 (4, 14′, 19′, 28′); S Di Lucca 4/5 (46′, 55′, 60′, 64′, 70′)

CHILE (0)

 

TEAMS

ARGENTINA
1 Nahuel Zunini, 2 Joaquín Yakiche, 3 Gael Galván, 4 Álvaro García Iandolino,  5 Alejandro Barrios, 6 Juan Sagrera, 7 Santos Fernández de Oliveira, 8 Joaquín Aguilar, 9 Genaro Podestá, 10 Facundo Rodríguez, 11 Rafael O’Gorman, 12 Tomás Medina, 13 Santino Zangara, 14 Clemente López García, 15 Benjamín Elizalde (capt.)

Replacements: 16 Marcos Camerlinckx, 17 Gonzalo Bazán Gargallo, 18 Tomás Rapetti, 19 Efraín Elías, 20 Juan Penoucos, 21 Tomás Di Biase, 22 Santino Di Lucca, 23 Faustino Sánchez Valarolo

CHILE
1 Pedro Sandoval, 2 Davis Guzmán, 3 Benjamín Canales, 4 Manuel González, 5 Cristobal Rivas, 6 Santiago Valenzuela, 7 Martín Pizarro, 8 Baltazar Cánepa, 9 Sebastián Bianchi, 10 Iñaki Tuset (capt.), 11 Antonio Corbella, 12 Nicolás Saab, 13 Rodrigo Araya, 14 Cristobal Martínez, 15 Federico Kennedy

Replacements: 16 Benjamín Moreno, 17 Alonso Quiroga, 18 Agustín Rubio, 19 Tomás Del Río, 20 Antonio Gil, 21 Martín Cura, 22 Baltazar Larraín, 23 Franco Scassi Buffa