Argentina XV comfortably down Brazil in Patagonia

The Argentina XV Comfortably downed Brazil in Patagonia this afternoon. The 54-3 triumph sees the Argentina XV beginning the Americas Rugby Championship with maximum points, to match the USA.

Played at the Neuquén RC, the Argentina XV won by eight tries to zero. This, however, does not paint an accurate picture of the overall match. Brazil was on top at the scrum for the majority of the match. It was from this area in which Josh Reeves landed Brazil’s only points of the match. He had a sound match and was one of Brazil’s best performers behind Jardel Vettorato.

In general play Brazil were also a competitive side. Unfortunately for them, though, the Argentina XV was able to pounce on opportunities to score swiftly following errors with Brazil hot on attack.

Early on the indications were that it would not be a blowout scoreline. Brazil did not help themselves though as an early interception from Felipe Ezcurra would open the scoring. It was converted by Martín Elías who would add a second in quick time following a strong run from Jerónimo Ureta.

Reeves would respond for Brazil though a second opportunity would not be kicked for the corner. Added to this decision making was a blown try from captain Felipe Sancery. Wide open he would knock-on, A certain try was missed.

At the other end the Argentina XV continued to score. Additional first half tries from hooker Gaspar Baldunciel, and center Lucas Mensa gave the home side a 26-3 half-time lead.

The second half opened slowly with neither team scoring until the 55th minute. Tries came with Mensa scoring his second for the match and Julián Domínguez, Javier Corvalán, and Agustín Segura also all scoring.

The moment of the half, though, saw Mensa giving Sancery one back. Over for his hat-trick he inexplicably knocked-on despite not being marked.

Both Brazil and the Argentina XV will play again next weekend. A short trip for the Argentina XV to Cipolletti will see them preparing to face the tournament favorites, the USA. Brazil fly home to prepare for Canada whom they host in São José dos Campos.

 

SCORING

ARGENTINA 54
Tries – F. Ezcurra (5’), J. Ureta (9’), G. Baldunciel (21’), L. Mensa 2 (34’, 55’), J. Domínguez (58’), J. Corvalán (69’), A. Segura (77’)
Cons – M. Elías 5/6 (6’, 10’, 35’, 56’, 59’), M. Roger 2/2 (70’, 78’)

BRAZIL 3
Pens – J. Reeves 1/1 (14’)
Yellow cards – D. van Niekerk (21’)

 

TEAMS

ARGENTINA XV
1 Nicolás Solveyra (17 Javier Corvalán 63’), 2 Gaspar Baldunciel (16 Axel Zapata 53’), 3 Lucas Favre (18 Martín Fernández Segurotti 63’), 4 Jerónimo Ureta, 5 Franco Molina (19 Santiago Portillo 63’), 6 Francisco Gorrissen, 7 Lautaro Bavaro (capt.), 8 Nicolás Sbrocco (20 Benito Ortíz de Rosas 56’), 9 Felipe Ezcurra (21 Gregorio del Prete 63’), 10 Martín Elías (22 Martín Roger 63’), 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Lucas Mensa, 13 Agustín Segura, 14 Matías Osadczuk, 15 Santiago Carreras (23 Facundo Cordero 60’)

BRAZIL
1 Lucas Abud (17 Caíque Silva 67’), 2 Endy Willian (16 Walter Schildberg 53’), 3 Jardel Vettorato (18 Pedro Bengaló 60’), 4 Lucas Piero (19 Gabriel Paganini HT), 5 Luiz Vieira, 6 Michael Moraes (20 André Arruda 36’), 7 Cléber Dias, 8 Arthur Bergo, 9 Lucas Duque (21 Douglas Rauth 63’), 10 Josh Reeves, 11 De Wet van Niekerk (22 Stefano Giantorno 56’), 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery (capt.), 14 Lucas Tranquez (23 Robert Tenório 64’), 15 Daniel Sancery

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Joaquín Montes (URU)
Assistants: Esteban Filipanics (UAR) & Juan Manuel Martínez (UAR)
TMO: Martín González Deibe (UAR)