Argentina XV finish ARC with Unconvincing Win

The Argentina XV finished off their Americas Rugby Championship campaign with an unconvincing 28-8 win over Brazil in São José on Saturday evening. The result sees the Argentina XV finishing as the tournament runners-up behind the Eagles. They did so in the third and final match of the day, a day in which the USA had won the Grand Slam.

In what was a shaky performance it took almost one quarter of the match for there first points to be scored. The Argentine forwards laid the base with midfield changes before a Felipe Ezcurra kick put the Argentina XV five meters out from Brazil’s line. Having won the lineout the pack barged forward with Santiago Portillo going close. Hooker Axel Zapata then crossed from a pick-and-go.

It would take another 18 minutes for the second try. Scoring was Ezcurra, doing so on the back of two quick penalties. Juan Cruz González added the conversion to give the Argentina XV a 14-0 lead.

The try was a bright spot in a dull period for the Argentina XV. Their path to victory was seriously complicated with Benjamín Espinal being sent off. His red card came from a high tackle on De Wet van Niekerk following an up-and-under. The dismissal forced a change with Julián Domínguez making way for Lucas Favre to enable the Argentina XV to have a full compliment of forwards at scrum time.

Just before the break an error handed five points to Brazil. Maurcio Canterle latched on to an over-thrown lineout from Zapata to score from five meters out. Josh Reeves couldn’t land the conversion from wide out and the Argentina XV lead 14-5 at the interval.

Fullback Lucas Tranquez had an opportunity to score early after the break. His attempted penalty was short. From it the Argentina XV cleared their lines and would go on to score at the other end. Crossing from close range was Jerónimo Ureta. With it Brazil’s shot at an upset ended.

Five minutes later the Argentina XV secured the bonus point. A loose pass from Ezcurra went through the legs of Portillo only for Santiago Resino to pounce, scoring out wide. From there the visitors empties their bench and quickly resumed attacking for further points.

Brazil were behind yet continued to dominate. By the 60th minute Os Tupis were now in possession of the ball at a staggering 70% of play. Scoring points, though, proved hard to come by. Ariel Rodrigues appeared to score a sensational solo try but the TMO revealed a knock-on while reaching over the line.

The end of the competition marks a well-earned break for both Brazil and the Argentina XV. For the latter it gives the UAR time for reflecting on how best to approach the 2019 ARC. The USA retained the title. Brazil will conduct their own review before competing in the revamped South American ‘A’ Championship beginning in May.

 

SCORING

BRAZIL 8
Tries – M. Canterle (39’)
Cons – J. Reeves 0/1
Pens – J. Reeves 1/1 (22’), L. Tranquez 0/1
Yellow cards – M. Rocha (76’)

ARGENTINA XV 28
Tries – A. Zapata (19’), F. Ezcurra (37’), J. Ureta (45’), S. Resino (51’)
Cons – J. González 4/4 (20’, 38’, 46’, 52’)
Red cards – B. Espinal (35’)

 

TEAMS

BRAZIL
1 Lucas Abud, 2 Yan Rosetti (capt.), 3 Jardel Vettorato (18 Matheus Rocha 70’), 4 Mauricio Canterle (19 Michael Moraes 61’), 5 Cléber Dias, 6 Arthur Bergo, 7 Matheus Claudio, 8 André Arruda, 9 Will Broderick (21 Daniel Lima 46’), 10 Josh Reeves, 11 De Wet van Niekerk (3 Jardel Vettorato 77’), 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery, 14 Ariel Rodrigues (22 Stefano Giantorno 68’), 15 Lucas Tranquez

Not used: 16 Endy Willian, 17 Michel Gomes, 20 Matheus Daniel, 23 Valentín Garcia

ARGENTINA XV
1 Santiago García Botta (17 Franco Brarda 46’), 2 Axel Zapata (16 Diego Fortuny 46’), 3 Benjamín Espinal, 4 Jerónimo Ureta, 5 Ignacio Larrague (19 Diego Galetto 52’), 6 Francisco Gorrissen, 7 Lautaro Bavaro (capt.), 8 Santiago Portillo (20 Santiago Montagner 52’), 9 Felipe Ezcurra (21 Gregorio del Prete 68’), 10 Juan Cruz González, 11 Germán Schulz (23 Rodrigo Etchart 68’), 12 Lucas Mensa, 13 Santiago Resino (22 Santiago Álvarez 68’), 14 Julián Domínguez (18 Lucas Favre 36’), 15 Juan Cruz Mallía

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Francisco González (URU)
Assistants: Murilo Bragotto (CBRu) & Victor Barboza (CBRu)