Munster sees off Argentina XV in humdinger

MATCH REPORT: A hugely entertaining and physical display from both sides, with a young Munster side edging out the South American visitors 31-28.

The Argentina XV side that arrived at Thomond Park had won two from two so far this year, with Munster earning victories in all five rounds of the United Rugby Championship.

It was going to be an interesting match-up from the get-go. Eight tries were scored over the 80 minutes, with five from the men in red.

Argentina were the first to score, with Evan O’Connell and Tony Butler getting their first tries for the province in the opening 40.

Gavin Coombes, Butler and Seán O’Brien scored in the second half, with the flyhalf converting all three.

Argentina dominated the first twenty minutes with strength, power, and pressure, igniting attack after attack, resulting in the first score of the game.

Fullback Tobías Wade chipped the ball over the Munster defence, broke a tackle and passed out to centre Faustino Sánchez Valarolo, who crossed the whitewash, Hernández converted, and the Argentinians led 7-0.

Munster instantly responded as Shay McCarthy made good ground, bringing the ball right up to the try line.

Evan O’Connell got down for his first try for the province. Butler hit the posts with his conversion attempt, allowing the Pumas to keep their early lead.

A consecutive Munster try gave the hosts a three-point lead just before the break.

Butler zig-zagged his way over the line after gathering a loose ball at the line-out for Munster’s second score. The conversion went wide.

Try number three came from Gavin Coombes as Munster came out of the sheds with guns blazing. Butler split the uprights, and Munster extended their lead to 17-7.

Scrumhalf Paddy Patterson was sent to the sin bin, allowing Argentina to capitalise.

They generated a huge amount of pressure getting their maul closer and closer to the line, and it was Lionel Oviedo who scored the visitors’ second try, which was converted by Hernández.

Outstanding play from Ben O’Connor and Jack O’Donoghue set Butler up to run in his second try as he sailed over in the left corner. He converted his own score, giving Munster a 10-point lead.

Despite debutant Max Clein winning a footrace against Hernandez to deny them a try, the Argentinians hit back with a counterattack just inside the fourth quarter. Santiago Pernas touched down, and Hernández converted.

Seán O’Brien soon followed with a fifth Munster try, also converted by Butler, leaving the final score at 31-28.

Scorers

For Munster:
Tries: O’Connell, Butler 2, Coombes, O’Brien
Cons: Butler 3

For Argentina XV:
Tries: Sánchez Valarolo, Oviedo, Pernas, Wade
Cons: Hernández 3, Farise

Teams

Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Diarmuid Kilgallen, 13 Fionn Gibbons, 12 Seán O’Brien, 11 Shay McCarthy, 10 Tony Butler, 9 Paddy Patterson, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Ruadhán Quinn, 6 Jack O’Donoghue (captain), 5 Evan O’Connell, 4 Conor Ryan, 3 Ronan Foxe, 2 Lee Barron,1 Josh Wycherley
Replacements: 16 Max Clein, 17 Mark Donnelly, 18 Kieran Ryan, 19 Fineen Wycherley, 20 Luke Murphy, 21 Jake O’Riordan, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Ben O’Connor

Argentina XV: 15 Tobias Wade, 14 Santiago Pernas, 13 Leonardo Gea Salim, 12 Faustino Sanchez Valarolo, 11 Mateo Soler, 10 Julian Hernandez, 9 Alejo Sugasti, 8 Juan Cruz Perez Rachel, 7 Altor Bidosola, 6 Nicolas D’Amorim, 5 Federico Albrisi, 4 Lautaro Simes, 3 Francisco Moreno, 2 Leonel Oviedo, 1 Matias Medrano
Replacements: 16 Juan Manuel Vivas, 17 Diego Correa, 18 Octavio Fillipa, 19 Lorenzo Colidio, 20 Juan Pedro Bernasconi, 21 Estanisalo Pregot, 22 Bautista Farise, 23 Agustin Fraga

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: RFU appointment
TMO: RFU appointment

Image credit @MunsterRugby