Eire rating three tries en path to beating Argentina 22-19 in Dublin however Andy Farrell’s facet 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 facet to a 22-19 win over Argentina in Dublin on Friday evening
Eire held on to return to successful methods on house soil in opposition to Argentina after final week’s defeat to New Zealand, however a poor second-half show wherein they didn’t rating a degree will show massively 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 end result 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 – because the duo began dealing with 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 way of 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 course, 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 way of contact down the left wing, however a TMO evaluate 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 elevate deal with and the house facet turned down a shot for factors. Scrappy lineout ball pressured 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 beautiful strike for 15-9.
An imposing Hugo Keenan aerial take put Eire again close to the try-line from the restart, earlier than relentless strain ultimately gave solution to a 3rd attempt through McCarthy after Lowe had pressured his approach shut off a beautiful 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 below immense strain to get in at half-time and not using a attempt concession.
Argentina started the second interval with confidence-boosting possession, and inside 5 minutes had their first attempt by way of a scintillating Cruz Mallia run and end.
Albornoz transformed to cut back Eire’s result in six factors, and McCarthy was then sin-binned on account of repeat staff infringements – Albornoz kicking over the easy 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 vast.
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 an important turnover.
That piece of play stored Argentina within the contest, as did a Santiago Carreras breakdown penalty after a Jamie Osborne break, however Francisco Gomez Kodela’s pointless clearout to the pinnacle of Eire captain Caelan Doris with 5 minutes to play and his consequent sin-binning snuffed out any actual likelihood the Pumas had of an entire turnaround.
Regardless, Argentina did have the very last assault, however a mightily relieved house facet and assist might rejoice victory after a knock-on.
