Eire rating three tries en path to beating Argentina 22-19 in Dublin however Andy Farrell’s aspect don’t rating a degree within the second half; a 22-9 benefit at half-time virtually totally worn out, with Juan Cruz Mallia scoring a dizzying solo effort for the Pumas on Friday evening
By Michael Cantillon
Final Up to date: 15/11/24 10:56pm
Eire fly-half Jack Crowley helped his aspect to a 22-19 win over Argentina in Dublin on Friday evening
Eire held on to return to profitable methods on house soil towards Argentina after final week’s defeat to New Zealand, however a poor second-half show through which they didn’t rating a degree will show vastly irritating for head coach Andy Farrell.
Tries from out-half Jack Crowley, wing Mack Hansen and lock Joe McCarthy had seen Eire construct a 22-9 half-time lead, however an abject second-half show noticed the Pumas come again into issues as full-back Juan Cruz Mallia scored an excellent solo attempt.
Pumas 10 Tomas Albornoz kicked 4 penalties and a conversion along with that rating as Argentina received inside three factors, however couldn’t rating once more.
In what was a primary assembly between the pair since November 2021, the consequence sees Argentina stay winless in Dublin of their historical past – the one Tier 1 nation the Pumas have by no means crushed away from house – for the reason that duo began going through each other formally in 1990.
Argentina headed into this contest having crushed New Zealand, South Africa and Australia in the identical Rugby Championship marketing campaign for the primary time in historical past, however have been instantly on the back-foot when centre Matias Moroni was sin-binned for a excessive deal with on Crowley in simply the third minute.
Crowley kicked into the nook for an enormous Irish likelihood, after which confirmed guile and energy to step inside and over himself within the subsequent attacking sequence.
The Irish playmaker transformed for 7-0, and inside moments the hosts have been over for his or her second attempt by Hansen within the sixth minute after centre Garry Ringrose made the telling break and flanker Tadhg Beirne was unselfish in passing again inside for the rating.
Crowley’s conversion was off track, and a poor error from lock James Ryan in spilling possession inside his personal 22 granted Argentina a transparent alternative to reply. When Robbie Henshaw was caught offside, Albornoz kicked over the close-range effort for 12-3.
On 16 minutes, Beirne romped over the try-line by contact down the left wing, however a TMO assessment proved he misplaced management within the act of grounding and the attempt was scratched off.
Bealham yellow carded for croc-roll
Down the opposite finish, Irish prop Finlay Bealham was quickly proven yellow for a croc-roll motion at a ruck on counterpart Joel Sclavi, permitting Albornoz to fit over off the tee for 12-6.
Eire’s 14 have been again attacking deep within the Pumas 22 earlier than lengthy when Guido Petti was penalised for a harmful carry deal with and the house aspect turned down a shot for factors. Scrappy lineout ball compelled Eire again, however Crowley then executed a stunning drop-goal to increase the lead past a rating once more.
Pointless obstruction by hooker Ronan Kelleher handed Argentina one other kickable penalty on 26 minutes, and Albornoz once more produced a stunning strike for 15-9.
An impressive Hugo Keenan aerial take put Eire again close to the try-line from the restart, earlier than relentless strain finally gave option to a 3rd attempt through McCarthy after Lowe had compelled his manner shut off a stunning Henshaw inside move.
Crowley transformed for a wholesome 22-9 benefit, however a slack mistake from scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park in getting turned over at a ruck in his personal 22 gave the guests territory to assault from. Eire held out beneath immense strain to get in at half-time with no attempt concession.
Argentina started the second interval with confidence-boosting possession, and inside 5 minutes had their first attempt by a scintillating Cruz Mallia run and end.
Albornoz transformed to scale back Eire’s result in six factors, and McCarthy was then sin-binned because of repeat crew infringements – Albornoz kicking over the straightforward effort to make issues 22-19.
Eire’s second-half slumber continued when Hansen handed straight off the park close to midway, however Argentina’s subsequent assault got here to nothing when Albornoz poorly missed a drop-goal extensive.
McCarthy returned for no additional factors conceded, however a breathless spell of Irish assault within the Argentina 22 got here to nothing with 10 minutes left, because the Pumas counter-rucked for a significant turnover.
That piece of play saved Argentina within the contest, as did a Santiago Carreras breakdown penalty after a Jamie Osborne break, however Francisco Gomez Kodela’s unnecessary clearout to the top of Eire captain Caelan Doris with 5 minutes to play and his consequent sin-binning snuffed out any actual likelihood the Pumas had of a whole turnaround.
Regardless, Argentina did have the very ultimate assault, however a mightily relieved house aspect and assist might have a good time victory after a knock-on.
