Ireland cling on as impressive Argentina go very close

Ireland 22,Argentina 19

THE visitors went close to break their duck in the Aviva Stadium tonight. Argentina could well have snatched a win with the last play of the game but a stubburn Irish defence forced a turnover. It was a very entertaining game of rugby with the home side failing to add to their half time tally of 22 points in the second 40 minutes. Ireland started well and they stormed into a 12 point lead within six minutes, a try and conversion from Jack Crowley and Mack Hansen dotting down the second one. Argentina responded with a penalty from Tomas Albornoz and the outhalf added another three points 16 minutes into the game to leave the score 12-6. Ireland. A Jack Crowley drop goal edged Ireland 15-6 ahead on 20 minutes, Tomas Albornoz responded with a penalty at the other end of the ground but the home support were in good voice when Joe McCarthy crashed over the line for a try with Crowley’s conversion sending the sides back down the tunnell with Ireland leading 22-9.

As the second half got underway it was clear that this Argetinian side were not going to roll over and four minutes after the restart full back Juan Cruz Mallia finished some sparkling backline play to touch down with Tomas Albornoz added the extras which left six points between the sides at 22-16. Ireland were going through another bout of jitters and the lead was reduced to three points as Albornoz converted another shot at the posts and Juan Cruz Mallia he had a chance to put his side level, his drop goal attempt drifting wide of the post.

As Ireland drained their bench they spent some time within scoring range but it was a nail-biting finale with all the play at the other end of the ground, Argentina failing to get a score five metres from the home side’s line. There was obvious relief in the Irish coaches’ box at the final whistle. It was an exciting game but failing add a single point to their half time tally will not go unnoticed. As regard the Pumas they now have failed to  beat Ireland in Dublin on their 11 visits.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne. Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Ryan Baird, Peter O’Mahony, Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast, Jamie Osborne.
Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia; Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Matias Moroni, Bautista Delguy; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Bertranou; Thomas Gallo, Julián Montoya, Joel Sclavi; Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo; Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo.
Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Ignacio Calles, Francisco Kodela Gomez, Franco Molina, Santiago Grondona, Gonzalo Garcia, Santiago Carreras, Justo Piccardo.

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