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 nearly solely 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 profitable methods on dwelling soil in opposition to Argentina after final week’s defeat to New Zealand, however a poor second-half show during which 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 outstanding 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 dwelling – because the 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 had been instantly on the back-foot when centre Matias Moroni was sin-binned for a excessive sort out 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 had been over for his or her second attempt by means 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 astray, 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 means of contact down the left wing, however a TMO overview 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 had been again attacking deep within the Pumas 22 earlier than lengthy when Guido Petti was penalised for a harmful raise sort out and the house facet turned down a shot for factors. Scrappy lineout ball pressured Eire again, however Crowley then executed a beautiful 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 imposing Hugo Keenan aerial take put Eire again close to the try-line from the restart, earlier than relentless stress finally gave method to a 3rd attempt by way of McCarthy after Lowe had pressured his means shut off a stunning Henshaw inside cross.
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 stress to get in at half-time with out a attempt concession.
Argentina started the second interval with confidence-boosting possession, and inside 5 minutes had their first attempt by means of a scintillating Cruz Mallia run and end.
Albornoz transformed to scale back Eire’s result in six factors, and McCarthy was then sin-binned as a consequence 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 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 an entire turnaround.
Regardless, Argentina did have the very closing assault, however a mightily relieved dwelling facet and assist may rejoice victory after a knock-on.
