Argentina XV topple Chile in ARC

A home win in San Juan this evening saw the Argentina XV completing a bonus point victory. What had been an error-ridden performance, involving a high number of unforced errors and multiple tries blown turned into a comfortable 52-15 victory following a late flurry.

A strong start from the home side saw Sevens star Segundo Tuculet scoring a third minute try. Coming from broken play the younger brother of Pumas star Joaquín Tuculet, ran clear to go over untouched. Fullback Pedro Mercerat added the extras.

Chile got on the board several minutes later with the highly regarded outside center Matías Nordenflycht landing a penalty. It came from one of two good turnovers by the Chilean pack in the opening ten minutes.

Continuing to press for a call-up to Los Jaguares center Joaquín Paz scored his second time in as many matches, crossing in the 15th minute. It came from a basic error with Los Cóndores fullback Leonardo Montoya failing to touch down a kick under the posts. Mercerat converted as the players began to show their suffering from the 29°c (84°F).

Indeed they stopped at the 20 minute mark for a water break and did so after Nordenflycht had landed his second penalty, this time from 50 metres. The number 13 put in a great tackle to prevent a try in the 24th minute but with quick recycling Tuculet went over for his second.

Mercerat’s conversion attempt sailed wide as did a 27th minute attempted penalty from Nordenflycht. The Chilean mid-fielder made amends ten minutes later, kicking his third penalty to make it a ten point deficit at the interval.

He was back in action in the opening minutes of the second half. His 44th minute penalty made it a 19-12 game. After having lost control of the ball on four occasions, the Argentina XV eventually scored through Paz. The center’s second try sealed the bonus point and with Mercerat’s conversion on target the Argentina XV went two tries clear.

Mistakes continued to flow from the Argentina XV but with a tiring Chile conceding territory the Argentina XV extended their advantage. Replacement Santiago Portillo and winger Rodrigo Etchart both crossed while Paz scored two more to see Argentina past 50 points. Chile added a further three points through Nordenflycht.

The team’s home win over Chile gives the Argentina XV 8 competition points and first place in the Americas Rugby Championship for now. This may change later tonight, depending on the outcome of the USA vs Canada.

ARGENTINA XV 52
Tries – S. Tuculet 2 (3, 24), J. Paz 4 (16, 58, 71, 77), S. Portillo (63), R. Etchart (65)
Cons – P. Mercerat 6 (4, 17, 59, 64, 72, 78)

CHILE 15
Pens – M. Nordenflycht 5 (11, 20, 40, 45, 69)

ARGENTINA XV
1 R. Tejerizo (capt.) (F. Brarda 60) 2 A. Zapata (I. Calles 64) 3 E. Pieretto (E. Bello 48) 4 P. Ortega (I. Calas 67) 5 M. Kremer 6 J. Deheza 7 L. Bavaro 8 M. Urtubey (S. Portillo 53) 9 L. Bazán (M. Perotti 69) 10 B. Ezcurra (J. Novillo 67) 11 S. Tuculet (J. Cappiello 51) 12 J. Paz 13 S. Álvarez 14 R. Etchart 15 P. Mercerat

CHILE
1 C. Zamorano (N. Venegas 53) 2 R. Moya (T. Dussaillant 68) 3 L. Sepúlveda (J. Munita 67) 4 N. Bursic 5 R. Piwonka (F. Bassaletti 50) 6 C. Niedmann (I. Silva 51) 7 J. Richard 8 B. Soto (capt.) 9 B. Vergara (M. Manas 72) 10 C. Onetto 11 Í. Zunino (P. Casas 62) 12 F. de la Fuente 13 M. Nordenflycht 14 J. Larenas (M. Contreras 67) 15 L. Montoya

Referee: K. Weaver (USAR)
Assistants: Claudio Antonio (UAR) & Jason Mola (UAR)

Attendance: 8, 500