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Argentina opened their November Internationals by falling to the world no 2 Ireland in Dublin today. The 28-17 loss gives Argentina plenty to think about ahead of next Saturday’s match in Lille against France.
The match was competitive throughout as both teams competed in exchanges. The first gain went Argentina’s way as Jordan Larmour was penalized for not releasing with Agustín Creevy being first man over the ball. Nicolás Sánchez banged over three points in the 3rd minute from long-range.
Three minutes later and Ireland had their opportunity to score. Debut captain Pablo Matera gave away a penalty 10 meters out which Ireland used to kick for the corner rather than for goal.
Pressure from Ireland followed. In the 8th minute South African import CJ Stander was held up over the line by Tomás Lavanini. The near score would count for little as the resulting scrum saw Ireland advancing and Kieron Marmion picking up a loose ball to dive over.
The kick-off saw Ramiro Moyano chasing and flying high to take the kick. The forwards arrived to take Argentina into the Irish 22. under pressure flanker Peter O’Mahony was penalized for securing the ball on the floor. Sánchez landed his second penalty to restore Argentina’s lead.
With the scrum having malfunctioned first up an improved effort was required. With a solid base this time Tomás Cubelli used it to spin the ball into the mid-field. Matías Orlando broke through to get to within 10 meters of the try line. Recycled possession followed with rookie Bautista Delguy continuing his sensational year. The right winger went over outwide, giving Argentina an 11-5 lead.
23 minutes in and Ireland again turned down a kickable penalty to go for corner. They won clean ball yet would commit a knock-on following their own lineout. From the resulting scrum Ireland demolished Los Pumas. Hot on attack phases saw New Zealand import Bundee Aki scoring. Having missed the opening conversion Sexton would this time be on target to restore Ireland the lead.
With half time approaching Sexton and Sánchez traded penalties to see Los Pumas head into half time with a 15-14 advantage.
Three minutes into the second half and Argentina had restored the lead. Scoring Los Pumas’˜final points was Sánchez, landing his 4th penalty of the match.
48 minutes in and Sexton had a shot from in front. The long-range effort fell short but it would be his last unsuccessful kick of the match.
Argentina’s best scoring opportunity of the second half came in the 53rd minute. A clean break from fullback Emiliano Boffelli got Argentina deep into Irish territory. Yet the Irish were resilient and were able to shut down the South Americans.
Argentina would not come close to scoring again. Instead Ireland had control, keeping Los Pumas well within their territory. In the 57th minute a regulation penalty from Sexton saw Ireland head 18-17. It was a tough call with Tomás Lavanini penalized for a high tackle on Jordan Larmour despite the Irishman having gone in low into contact.
Seven minutes later saw Ireland going clear. With the pressure mounting replacement scrum-half Luke McGrath darted over from close range to score under the posts.
Unable to get out of their own half Argentina would be kept under control by Ireland. A further Sexton penalty took the lead to 11 points with five minutes remaining. Ireland had the result and were deserved winners.
SCORING
IRELAND 28
Tries – K. Marmion (8′), B. Aki (24′), L. McGrath (66′)
Cons – J. Sexton 2/3 (25′, 67′)
Pens – J. Sexton 3/4 (38′, 57′, 75′)
ARGENTINA 17
Tries – B. Delguy (17′)
Cons – N. Sánchez 0/1
Pens – N. Sánchez 4/4 (2′, 11′, 34′, 42′)
Drop goals – N. Sánchez 0/1
TEAMS
IRELAND
1 Cian Healy (17 Jack McGrath 53′), 2 Rory Best (capt.) (16 Sean Cronin 59′), 3 Tadhg Furlong (18 Andrew Porter 68′), 4 Iain Henderson (19 Devin Toner 58′), 5 James Ryan, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 7 Sean O’Brien (20 Dan Leavy 38′), 8 CJ Stander, 9 Kieran Marmion (21 Luke McGrath 56′), 10 Jonathan Sexton (22 Joey Carbery 76′), 11 Jacob Stockdale, 12 Bundee Aki (23 Andrew Conway 76′), 13 Will Addison, 14 Keith Earls, 15 Jordan Larmour
ARGENTINA
1 Santiago García Botta (17 Juan Pablo Zeiss 58′), 2 Agustín Creevy (16 Julián Montoya 64′), 3 Santiago Medrano (18 Lucio Sordoni 72′), 4 Tomás Lavanini, 5 Matías Alemanno, 6 Pablo Matera (capt.) (19 Rodrigo Bruni 69′), 7 Guido Petti (20 Tomás Lezana 64′), 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 9 Tomás Cubelli (21 Gonzalo Bertranou 64′), 10 Nicolás Sánchez (22 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla 72′), 11 Bautista Delguy, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 13 Matías Orlando (23 Matías Moroni 58′), 14 Ramiro Moyano, 15 Emiliano Boffelli
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Nic Berry (ARU)
Assistants: Angus Gardner (ARU) & Ludovic Cayre (FFR)
TMO: David Grashoff (RFU)
