Pumas get their 'revenge'

Argentina got revenge on the French Barbarians when they beat them 21-9 in their second encounter at the La Plata club in Buenos Aires.

The BaaBaas won the first encounter 28-22 in Rosario last week.

However, the Pumas produced a far more controlled performance in La Plata and ended the series one-all – although the Pumas won on aggregate, 43-.

From the outset the Pumas controlled territory.

While the BaaBaas looked to keep it tight and close to their bulky forwards, the Argentineans produced a more expansive game – as the game was played at a frenetic pace.

The two teams took turns to dominate the scrums, while the line-outs and contact areas were vigorously contested.

The French outfit also tested the Pumas' defensive lines.

With the teams taking turns to dominate possession and territory in the first half, the Pumas managed to lead 11-6 at the half-time break.

An early score in the second half gave the Pumas the advantage they needed and forced the BaaBaas to play catch-up rugby.

The victory ended the Pumas' preparation for the Rugby Championship.

The Pumas will travel to Sydney on Saturday, where they will continued their preparation for their opening Rugby Championship encounter – with New Zealand in Christchurch on July 17.

The scorers:

For Argentina:

Tries: Matera, Desio

Con: Socino

Pens: Socino 3

For the French Barbarians:

Pens: Urdapilleta 3

Teams:

Argentina: 15 Román Miralles, 14 Matías Moroni, 13 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Tomás Carrió, 10 Santiago González Iglesias, 9 Martín Landajo (captain), 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizabal, 3 Matías Díaz, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 Lucas Noguera Paz.

Replacements: 16 Santiago Iglesias Valdez, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Benjamín Macome, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Nicolás Sánchez, 23 Lucas González Amorosino.

French Barbarians: 15 Geoffrey Palis, 14 Benjamin Lapeyre, 13 Henry Chavancy, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Silvere Tian, 10 Benjamín Urdapilleta, 9 Jerome Fillol  (captain), 8 Virgile Bruni, 7 Pierre Rabadan, 6 Antoine Burban, 5 Arnaud Mela, 4 Thibault Lassalle, 3 Jean Baptiste Poux, 2 Brice Mach, 1 Antoine Tichit.

Replacements: 16 JeanCharles Orioli, 17 Lucas Pointud, 18 Walter Desmaison, 19 Jocelino Suta, 20 Julien Tastet, 21 Heini Adams, 22 Julien Rey, 23 Gilles Bosch.

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Joaquín Montes (Uruguay)

TMO: Pablo Deluca (Argentina)