Ireland too good for Argentina
The 21-year-old wing – who scored a try in the opening November Test victory over South Africa – scored a try in each half to leave Argentina still seeking a first win in Ireland in eight visits.
The Pumas, though, could look back on a stirring second-half performance, having trailed 0-20 after 42 minutes, in which they scored three tries.
Agustin Creevy, captaining the Pumas for the 40th time, was penalised for going in on the side and Johnny Sexton, who had to fall out of the line during the anthems and receive treatment, slotted over the penalty to give Ireland the lead in the fourth minute.
Sexton added another penalty as the quarter hour approached and with the visitors unable to get out of their half.
Sexton had seemingly shaken off any fitness worries as he was at the heart of the hosts' try, bursting through the Pumas line – after a superb offload by Chris Farrell – and then passed to Stockdale who ran in under the posts for his second try of the series having scored against South Africa.
Sexton converted for 13-0.
Sexton and Stockdale combined again to devastating effect two minutes into the second-half, the former's pass being seized on by the young wing who broke through the centre of the Pumas line and outpaced the defence to touch don in the corner.
Sexton converted brilliantly from the touchline for 20-0.
The Pumas though didn't drop their shoulders but came back strongly and deservedly scored a try in the 55th minute Joaquin Tuculet running on to Nicolas Sanchez's clever grubber kick – the creator then converting to pass the 600 point mark in Test rugby.
Ireland, though, pulled themselves together and Sexton boldly kicked to the corner off a penalty paying off as from the ensuing line out the Irish pack drove to the line and Stander touched down sparking some pushing and shoving with French referee Mathieu Raynal telling both sets of players to grow up and behave.
Sexton's perfect day was slightly blemished when his conversion came back off the post.
The Pumas battled away and didn't look like a side that was looking forward to a deserved holiday as veteran Juan Manuel Leguizamon, found by Tuculet, went in in the corner for their second try with 10 minutes remaining – Sanchez failed to convert.
Sexton ended any hopes of a late rally as he went for goal with a penalty and slotted it over before trotting off with his day's work done.
The Pumas had the final laugh as another clever kick by Sanchez into the Irish try area saw Ramiro Moyano touch down and the metronomic Sanchez converted the extras.
The match was preceded by a minute's silence for the 44 crew members from the Argentinian submarine San Juan which went missing 10 days ago.
Man of the match: Our nod goes to Ireland fullback Rob Kearney, for his sharp line breaks and crucial tackles. While, Ireland's flank Stander and 21-year-old Stockdale also deserve a mention, respectively.
Moment of the match: Jacob Stockdale's second try in the 42nd minute. The wing run through Joaquin Tuculet and Santiago Iglesias to score.
Villian of the match: It was a good game, so no one.
The scorers:
For Ireland:
Tries: Stockdale 2, Stander
Cons: Sexton 2
Pen: Sexton 3
For Argentina:
Tries: Tuculet, Manuel Leguizamon, Moyano
Cons: Sanchez 2
Teams:
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Adam Byrne, 13 Chris Farrell, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Christiaan Stander, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Iain Henderson, 4 James Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best (captain), 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 John Ryan, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 Andrew Conway.
Argentina: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Tomas Lezana, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustin Creevy (captain), 1 Santiago Garcia Botta.
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 23 Sebastian Cancelliere.
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Marius Mitrea (Italy), Mike Adamson (Scotland)
TMO: David Grashoff (England)
