Rugby World Cup: Argentina show they can score tries

Genaro Fessia of Argentina breaks free. Photo / Getty Images

Argentina 43
Romania 8

The Pumas sounded a warning to Pool B rivals Scotland ahead of their clash in Wellington on September 25 with a comfortable 43-8 win against Romania at Rugby Park in Invercargill today.

Scotland needed two late tries to overcome the Oaks a week earlier at the same venue, but the South Americans dominated Romania from the outset and were never seriously challenged. Romania defended stoutly in the second spell to keep the score respectable but were unable to mount much pressure.

Argentina set the tone early, taking the Romanian challenge head-on and rumbling a maul up-field. The Oaks would have hoped for parity in the tight encounters but the Pumas dominated the forward exchanges, securing quick ruck ball and setting a superb platform for halfback Nicolas Vergallo.

Martin Rodriguez missed an early penalty but it mattered not with the Pumas spreading the ball wide at every opportunity and stretching Romania's defence enough for first five-eighths Santiago Fernandez to waltz through a gap to dot down.

Moments later powerful openside flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamon broke an ineffectual tackle and stormed towards the tryline, crashing through the last defender and looking, if for only a brief moment, like Jonah Lomu. It was a glorious try which thrilled the 12600-strong crowd, many of whom had donned the blue and white of the Pumas and sung boisterously in spells throughout the match, making for a wonderful atmosphere.

Trailing 14-0, Romania answered back with a penalty in the 13th minute through Tiberius Dimofte _ a brief respite from the one-way traffic.

Two more tries later, and trailing 26-3, Romania found their way to the tryline, attacking the right flank and then swinging it left with wing Lonel Cazan finishing a good team try.

Argentina were well in control but, if anything, guilty of trying to play a little too much rugby. Fine moves often finished with an eager pass or handling error. A tad more patience and Argentina might have scored another two or three tries.

Replacement right wing Juan Jose Imhoff popped up on the left to score in the 64th minute and flanker Genaro Fessia scampered the best part of 50m to complete the try-scoring action.

Argentina 43 (Santiago Fernandez, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Juan Figallo, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino Juan Jose Imhoff, Genaro Fessia tries; Martin Rodriguez pen, 5 cons) Romania 8 (Lonel Cazan try; Tiberius Dimofte pen). HT: 26-8.