Stephen Ferris makes a break for Ireland against Argentina. Picture by rugbypicture.co.uk
Ireland were hoping for a win as they faced up to the Pumas in their last fixture of the Autumn Internationals. Despite a less than perfect performance, Ireland managed to secure the early lead they had developed and battled against bitterly cold weather conditions to defeat the opposition by a clear 20 point margin.
An early attack from Ireland placed them deep into their oppositions’ half, but following an infringement at the ruck, a free kick to Argentina three minutes in, allowed fly-half Felipe Contepomi the chance to gain the upper hand over his ex-Leinster team mate Jonathan Sexton. As his team mates moved up field, Contepomi fell back for a drop goal; but his attempt strayed just wide of the posts.
A lineout to Argentina a minute later resulted in a powerful drive from the team, before being stopped just short of the line by a strong Ireland defence. The Pumas continued to dominate play and possession until a turnover ball from Ireland brought them back into the game. A fantastic offload from Geordan Murphy to Tommy Bowe on 13 minutes, set up Andrew Trimble to break through the Argentina defence and sprint down the left wing. Argentina were penalised for being offside as they tackled the Ulster winger, allowing Sexton to opt for the posts. His kick was on target, giving the home side a small lead. Ireland 3 – Argentina 0.
As the second quarter got underway, Jamie Heaslip stormed towards Argentina’s try line, dodging a number of tackles, before offloading to Stephen Ferris who dived into the corner, scoring his second International try in two matches. Sexton’s conversion was on target, providing more breathing space between the two sides. Ireland 10 – Argentina 0.
Three minutes later Contepomi was given a chance to lessen the points’ gap after an Ireland infringement, but his kick went wide of the posts once again. Minutes later, on the 29th minute, Argentina were penalised for being offside, allowing Ireland another penalty attempt. As with his previous attempts, Sexton landed his kick, taking the score to Ireland 13 – Argentina 0.
Two minutes later and Contepomi rectified his earlier missed kicks, by slotting over his first kick of the game, after Ireland’s Donncha O’Callaghan was penalised for being offside. Ireland 13 – Argentina 3.
A further infringement from the Pumas on 34 minutes allowed Sexton to step up and add even more points to the scoreboard. He continued his 100 per cent kicking record as the ball sailed between the posts. Ireland 16 – Argentina 3.
With only six minutes of the first half remaining, errors from both sides saw Contepomi and Sexton exchange penalties, but once again the Argentinian fly-half missed his kick while Sexton landed his, on the stroke of half time. As the whistle blew and both teams headed into the changing rooms, Ireland could rest in the knowledge that they had a clear lead over the opposition. Ireland 19 – Argentina 3.
From the beginning of the second half, it appeared the energy and excitement from the previous forty minutes, had waned slightly with neither team making an advantage in territory. It was eight minutes into the half before the first chance came to potentially change the scoreboard, when Argentina were awarded a penalty. Contepomi opted for the posts and it looked certain that his kick was heading through the posts. However at the last moment, it was pushed just wide of the upright, leaving the score unchanged. Having been awarded another penalty on the 58th minute though, Contepomi made amends and brought the score to Ireland 19 – Argentina 6.
66 minutes into the game and Sexton continued his excellent run of kicking, clearly outshining his former Leinster team mate, by claiming his fifth penalty from long-range; to take the score to Ireland 22 – Argentina 6.
Two minutes later and it seemed the Pumas captain had finally found his kicking boots, as he slotted over his third penalty of the match. However it was too little, too late for the visitors, as this was to be their final chance to add any more points to their name. Ireland 22 – Argentina 9.
As the dying seconds of a poor second half counted down, Ireland’s Keith Earls suddenly bolted towards the oppositions’ 22 after a chipped kick from Ronan O’Gara, to send him diving over the line. Despite Earls – and his team mates – being confident in the knowledge that he had scored a try, the TMO awarded no try. Moments later however, Gordon D’Arcy chipped his own kick over the Argentina defenders before re-gathering the ball and touching down a magnificent solo try. Once again, Sexton’s conversion was on target, taking his points’ contribution to 17, and bringing the final score to Ireland 29 – Argentina 9.
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