Pumas hang on for tight win
Tries by Lucas Amorosino and Jeronimo De La Fuente made the difference for battling Argentina as they resisted a second-half fightback to beat Italy 20-18 and claim their fifth consecutive win over the Azzurri on Friday.
In a match moved forward a day because of fears over predicted storms in the flood-hit city of Genoa, Italy were looking to build on their morale-boosting 24-13 win over Samoa in Ascoli last week when Kelly Haimona provided 14 of Italy's points with the boot.
Despite the New Zealand-born flyhalf coming good yet again with 15 points, Italy ultimately failed to produce the try that, on occasion, their enterprising play deserved.
Argentina travelled to Italy on the back of a 31-41 defeat to Scotland but had suffered only one defeat to Italy, a 12-13 reverse in Cordoba in 2008, in the sides' previous seven meetings.
Despite Italy's poor record, the hosts, given a huge boost by Haimona's performance last week, had high hopes of ending that sorry streak.
Haimona continued to underline his influence with the boot when he kicked Italy into a 12-3 lead thanks to four penalties by the 24th minute, but the game was brought to life moments before halftime when the Pumas slashed their deficit.
Amorosino pounced on a loose ball to kick downfield and after a sustained period of possession the Argentina winger touched over for the game's opening try.
Flyhalf Juan Hernandez kicked the conversion to considerably reduce arrears on the halftime whistle.
Italy came flying out the blocks in the second half and after a promising charge by No.8 and captain Sergio Parisse, Haimona kicked another penalty from 25 metres to give Italy a 15-10 lead.
Italy tried to up the momentum, but the hosts were outdone when Parisse's attempted chip deep in his own end ultimately led to an Argentina scrum.
Argentina controlled and a great ball from Hernandez sent De la Fuente clear to run through a static Italian defence to plant the ball under the posts, with Hernandez kicking a simple conversion to give the tourists a 17-15 lead on the hour.
Italy nerves told minutes later when Argentina were handed a penalty decision at the ruck, with Nicolas Sanchez kicking over for the Pumas to take them five points clear.
Luciano Orquera reduced the deficit four minutes later to set up a thrilling finish but, as Argentina were camped in their own 22, a late drop attempt from the replacement flyhalf sailed wide of the posts.
Man of the match: Italy's Kelly Haimona put in another solid performance with the boot to keep his side in the contest but for changing the complexion of the game, Lucas González Amorosino gets the nod.
Moment of the match: Italy seemed in control of match minutes from halftime but a Lucas González Amorosino try changed the complexion of the game.
The scorers:
For Italy:
Pens: Haimona 5, Orquera
For Argentina:
Tries: Amorosino, De la Fuente
Cons: Hernandez 2
Pens: Hernandez, Sanchez
Teams:
Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Luke McLean, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Joshua Furno, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Matias Aguero.
Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Marco Bortolami, 20 Francesco Minto, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Luciano Orquera, 23 Giulio Toniolatti.
Argentina: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Lucas González Amorosino, 13 Horacio Agulla, 12 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 11 Manuel Montero, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Facundo Isa, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Matías Cortese, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Santiago Iglesias Valdez, 17 Lucas Noguera Paz, 18 Ramiro Herrera, 19 Lucas Ponce, 20 Tomás Lezana, 21 Martín Landajo, 22 Nicolás Sánchez, 23 Matías Moroni.
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Ian Davies (Wales)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
AFP
