England complete 2-0 series win in Argentina

England completed a 2-0 series win in Argentina today. The European’s 35-25 win in Santa Fé followed last Saturday’s triumph in San Juan.

Early kicking back-and-forth from both sides indicated a different match was on the cards to that from San Juan. To the contrary, however, scoring did not take long to begin.

England were awarded the game’s opening penalty in 4th minute and kicked deep. From the resulting lineout England score. A simple play saw George Ford combing with Nathan Hughes. Quick ball saw Joe Launchbury going within meters. Launchbury off-loaded in the tackle to Charlie Ewels who went over beside the posts. Ford made it 7-0 in the 6th minute.

Argentina were behind but not rattled. Having won a penalty following the restart, Los Pumas kicked for an attacking lineout. Advancing through the forwards resulted in space opening up. Martín Landajo gave it to the back and it was Joaquín Tuculet who turned it into a try. Splitting the defense the fullback scored out wide. Nicolás Sánchez converted to even the scores.

Ford and Sánchez traded penalties penalty 10th and 15th minutes. Argentina then took the lead for the first time, doing so from Sánchez. The Tucumán fly half kicked Argentina to a 13-10 lead in the 18th minute.

Mounting penalties against England saw Argentina enjoying possession and territory advantages. Sánchez was unable to add points in the 26th minute. His penalty strike sailed to the left of the posts. Ford made it count when, two minutes later, he landed his second penalty.

England reclaimed the lead through Piers Francis. The former Blues Super Rugby player finished off a great play from Mike Brown. England’s fullback had read a Sánchez cross-kickand punished it, turning it into an English try. With it Daniel Hourcade’s gameplan was brought into disrepute.

A second half turnaround was needed. It did not start well. In the 46th minute Sánchez was off-target with a penalty. He would also miss a 52nd minute strike. On that occasion it was a conversion. The try was scored by Pablo Matera. After blocking a Francis kick the flanker used soccer skills and regathered the bounce to go over.

Looking to turn 18-18 into an Argentine lead, Los Pumas gave England another try. Having broken down the right Argentina with numbers looked to score. A sloppy pass was gathered by Ford who linked with Brown before an unmarked Danny Care scored. Ford added the conversion.

An English error then brought the teams back level. Replacement Tomás Lezana got Argentina on the front foot. Quick recycling saw Emiliano Boffelli breaking clear down the left wing to score. This time Sánchez’ goal was successful.

With the match shaping up very similar to that of San Juan, Juan Martín Hernández entered the game. The 62nd minute substitution coincided with Matera and Agustín Creevy also being replaced. England’s bench was also being used. Replacement prop Will Collier restored England’s advantage with a try from an advancing maul.

The try was converted by Ford. The English fly half then showed his class to seal the win. A well-taken stop-goal in the 74th minute made it a ten point gap. It put Argentina out of the game though replacement Matías Moroni threatened to score down the left side with minutes remaining. England held it off and defended an attacking scrum to win by 10 points.

England now fly home with a 2-0 series win. Argentina, in contrast, fly to Jujuy to prepare to face Georgia. The teams meet next Saturday in Argentina’s far northern city. The Lelos play the USA today in Atlanta.

ATTENDANCE: 29,750

SCORERS
ARGENTINA
Try: Tuculet, Matera, Boffelli
Conversion: Sánchez (2)
Penalty: Sánchez (2)

ENGLAND
Try: Ewels, Francis, Care, Collier
Conversion: Ford (3)
Penalty: Ford (2)
Drop Goal: Ford

ARGENTINA
1 Lucas Noguera Paz, 2 Agustín Creevy (capt.), 3 Enrique Pieretto, 4 Matías Alemanno, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 9 Martín Landajo, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 13 Matías Orlando, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 15 Joaquín Tuculet

Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Ramiro Herrera, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Tomás Lezana, 21 Gonzalo Bertanou, 22 Juan Martín Hernández, 23 Matías Moroni

ENGLAND
1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt.), 3 Harry Williams, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Nathan Hughes, 9 Danny Care, 10 George Ford, 11 Jonny May, 12 Piers Francis, 13 Henry Slade, 14 Marland Yarde, 15 Mike Brown

Replacements: 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Will Collier, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 Denny Solomona