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Emiliano Boffelli scored a double today as the Argentina XV overcame Chile in Santiago. The uncapped outside back ran in two first half tries, helping the Argentina XV to a 31-15 win.
The Felipe Contepomi coached side came through the test. The team overcame Los Cóndores by five tries to two. All five of the visitors tries were scored by backs. In addition to Boffelli Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, Martín Elías and Bruno Devoto reached scored one try.
Díaz Bonilla was the first to score. The Hindú Club fly half crossed for a 12th minute try. Chile would reduce it in the 20th minute through a penalty from Francisco González Moller. The home side would not score again until the second half.
The Argentina XV recovered smartly. Emiliano Boffelli crossed for his two tries, doing so in the 23rd and 28th minutes. The second of the two was converted by Díaz Bonilla. This gave the visitors an 17-3 lead.
A fourth try from the Argentina XV would come before the interval. Fullback Martín Elias crossed in the 34th minute. It meant Los Cóndores were three converted tries behind.
In the second half Chile would be the first to score. Bayonne second-rower Pablo Huete went over in the 49th minute. Chile was unable to convert and with it the Argentina XV held a 24-8 lead.
Los Cóndores were not done yet. A strong period saw the Chileans crossing in the 55th minute. González Moller converted José Ignacio Larenas’ try and with it the deficit was down to nine points.
Ten minutes later the Argentina XV added to their opening half points tally. Bruno Devoto’s 65th minute try was converted by Díaz Bonilla in what was the final score of the match.
The Argentina XV are to fly back to Buenos Aires tomorrow. The team will train in the national capital until Wednesday. Then they are to travel to Montevideo to play in the World Rugby Nations Cup.
Today’s match was for the Sudamérica Rugby Cup. The competition is the official elite level of rugby in South America. It is above the South American A Championship which puts together the teams ranked 2nd through 4th in the continent.
The fixture was the second of three for the Sudamérica Rugby Cup this year. The prior fixture was Uruguay’s home match against Chile last weekend. That match doubled as a Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifier. The remaining fixture will be played in October with there Argentina XV traveling to Montevideo.
Not travelling to Uruguay are Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and Emiliano Boffelli. They are to rejoin Los Pumas who face England and Georgia this month.
SCORING
CHILE 15
Tries – P. Huete (49′), J. Larenas (55′)
Cons – F. González Moller 1/2 (56′)
Pens – F. González Moller 1/1 (18′)
Yellow cards – A. Petrowitsch (60′), J. Munita (67′)
ARGENTINA XV 31
Tries – J. Díaz Bonilla (13′), E. Boffelli 2 (23′, 28′), M. Elías (34′), B. Devoto (64′)
Cons – J. Díaz Bonilla 2/4 (29′, 35′), T. Granella 1/1 (65′)
TEAMS
CHILE
1 Ramón Ayarza (17 Sebastián Valech 75′), 2 Manuel Gurruchaga (capt.) (16 Tomás Dussaillant 66′), 3 José Tomás Munita (18 Lucas Bordigoni 77′), 4 Pablo Huete, 5 Mario Mayol (22 Benjamín Soto 49′), 6 Ignacio Silva (20 Alfonso Rioja 70′), 7 Anton Petrowitsch, 8 Nikola Bursic (19 Manuel Dagnino 64′), 9 Beltrán Vergara (21 Jan Hasenlechner 64′), 10 Francisco González Moller, 11 Franco Velarde, 12 José Ignacio Larenas (18 Lucas Bordigoni 67′-77′), 13 Matías Nordenflycht, 14 Matías Contreras (23 Martín Raddatz 64′), 15 Tomás Ianiszewski
ARGENTINA XV
1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (18 Santiago Medrano HT), 2 Gaspar Baldunciel (16 Roberto Tejerizo 50′), 3 Eduardo Bello (17 Facundo Gigena 50′), 4 Jerónimo Ureta, 5 Juan Cruz Guillemáin (19 Pedro Ortega HT), 6 Francisco Gorrissen, 7 Lautaro Bavaro (capt.), 8 Santiago Portillo (20 Santiago Montagner 50′), 9 Felipe Ezcurra (21 Lautaro Bazán 56′), 10 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (22 Santiago Mare 56′), 11 Emiliano Boffelli (23 Franco Cuaranta 56′), 12 Tomás Granella, 13 Bruno Devoto, 14 Franco Sábato, 15 Martín Elías
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Francisco González (URU)
Assistants: Tomás Fernández (FERUCHI) & Tomás Covarrubias (FERUCHI)
