Los Pumas smash Uruguay following England defeats
MATCH REPORT: In the final Test match of the July international window, Los Pumas defeated Uruguay 52-17 in an entertaining match played at the Padre Ernesto Martearena stadium in Salta.
Felipe Contepomi’s team was coming off a 22-17 loss to England in San Juan, while Los Teros were fresh off a 70-8 thrashing of the Romanian national team in Montevideo.
The match marked Santiago Cordero’s farewell to the Argentine national team and the official debuts of Santiago Pernas, Nicolás D’Amorim, and Faustino Sánchez Valarolo.
Los Pumas took to the field determined to make their presence felt at home, and quickly imposed their influence after a great line-out and maul play that culminated in a penalty try for Argentina and a yellow card for prop Mateo Sanguinetti.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Uruguayan team stood strong and endured the penalty period without conceding a point.
Los Teros took advantage of this positive period of the match with their first try of the afternoon by second rower Felipe Aliaga.
After the score, Uruguay became more aggressive and came close to converting on several occasions, but failed to capitalise on their lack of accuracy in the finish.
However, Felipe Contepomi’s team managed to regain the lead in the final play of the first half, after a great individual effort by Matías Moroni, which resulted in a try. Los Pumas led 12-7 at half-time.
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In the second half, Los Teros struck back in the first minute with a penalty from Santiago Álvarez, narrowing the gap.
Los Pumas responded quickly, and just three minutes later, captain Julián Montoya scored his own try.
The national team extended their lead again with a try from Santiago Cordero, following an excellent pass from Nicolás Roger.
The match became more complicated for Argentina after Pedro Rubiolo was shown a red card.
The extra man galvanised the Uruguayan team, who refused to give up and stayed in the game with a try from fullback Ignacio Álvarez.
Los Pumas did not back down and responded with two consecutive tries, scored by Justo Piccardo and Rodrigo Isgró.
The Argentine team continued to appeal to their forward play and again pulled away with a try from Córdoba native Agustín Moyano.
Nicolás Roger would put the final score on the match with the final try and conversion, sealing Argentina’s 52-17 victory in Salta.
Scorers:
For Argentina:
Tries: Moroni, Montoya, Cordero, Piccardo, Isgro, Moyano, Roger, Penalty try does not require a conversion
Cons: Roger 5
For Uruguay:
Tries: Aliaga, I.Alvarez
Cons: S. Alvarez 2
Pen: S.Alvarez
Yellow card: Mateo Sanguitenni (Uruguay, 2′)
Red card: Pedro Rubiolo (Argentina, 50′)
Teams:
Argentina: 15 Benjamin Elizalde, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Justo Piccardo, 11 Santiago Pernas, 10 Nicolas Roger, 9 Simon Benitez Cruz, 8 Joaquín Moro, 7 Benjamin Grondona, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Mayco Vivas
Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconl, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Francisco Coria Marchettl, 19 Lucas Paulos, 20 Nicolas D’Amorim, 21 Augustin Moyano, 22 Faustino Sanchez Valarolo, 23 Santiago Cordero
Uruguay: 15 Juan Gonzalez, 14 Bautista Basso, 13 Felipe Arcos Perez, 12 Andres Vilacesa, 11 Ignaclo Alvarez, 10 Felipe Etcheverry, 9 Santiago Alvarez, 8 Manuel Diana, 7 Lucas Bianchi, 6 Manuel Ardao, 5 Manuel Leindekar, 4 Felipe Allaga, 3 Diego Arbelo, 2 German Kessler, 1 Mateo Sanguitenni
Replacements: 16 Facundo Gattas, 17 Francisco Suarez Folch, 18 Ignacio Peculo, 19 Ignacio Dotti, 20 Carlos Deus, 21 Santiago Civetta, 22 Juan Manuel Tafernaberry, 23 Icaro Amarillo.
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales), Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
