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Pumas Ignacio Ruiz and Juan Cruz Mallía were both try scorers in the Top 14 on Saturday. They touched down in the try zone in wins for their respective clubs, Perpignan and Toulouse.
Ruiz scored a late try in a 26-5 home victory. He was a replacement for Perpignan against Racing 92. Perpignan were again captained by Pumas veteran center Jerónimo de la Fuente. The Catalans also had a starting Puma in the forwards; Joaquín Oviedo played N8. Juan Imhoff played wing for the Parisians.
Toulouse were 46-26 winners over Bayonne. The win came with a try to Argentine Juan Cruz Mallía. The Pumas starting fullback was back in his regular position for the match. This was after he played fly half one week earlier. Pumas second-rower Lucas Paulos featured for Bayonne as a replacement.
Toulouse’s heavy contingent of French test players and injury to Romain Ntamack have seen the club underlining the importance of Mallía. The Córdoba back had the role of goal-kicker against Bayonne. Of note is that he is not a recognized goal-kicker; in his 32 test caps Mallía has never been Argentina’s goal-kicker.
Mallía slotted four conversions and a penalty for Toulouse. These points came in addition to his try and he also provided a try assist. This meant that Mallía scored 16 points for the French giants.
Domingo Miotti was also busy on Saturday. The former Puma continues to press forward with a hope of a test match recall. Miotti scored 14 points for Oyonnax in their home match against Stade Français. Oyonnax fell to a nail-bitting 23-19 loss.
Miotti was the starting fly half for Oyonnax. He was joined by fellow former Puma Lucas Mensa in the side. Mensa started at inside center, thereby giving Oyonnax an Argentina 10-12 combination. Veteran Puma Francisco Gómez Kodela featured as Stade Français’ replacement tight head.
The round will conclude on Sunday with Bordeaux taking-on Toulon. For the time being Stade Français and Toulouse are tied for top spot on 41 competition points. Meanwhile, at the bottom there continues to be changes. Perpignan’s win lifts the team to 26 points. Oyonnax is second from bottom on 22 with Montpellier currently in the hot seat for relegation on 20 points.
