Ill-discipline Almost Cost Ireland The Win Over Argentina

 

Ireland settled things down following their loss a week ago against the All Blacks with a 22-19 win over Argentina outscoring their visitors three tries to one. Despite "dominating" Ireland conceded thirteen penalties to the six of their visitors, keeping Argentina in contact on the scoreboard.

Ireland had a brilliant start to the match until they overplayed in midfield. Argentina swept on a loose pass by Garry Ringroseby which was kicked through by winger Bautista Delguy, and Matias Moroni "scored." The "try" was disallowed due to a high tackle on Jack Crowley, resulting in a yellow card to Matias Moroni.

Ireland used the penalty to kick for the corner. Hooker Ronan Kelleher broke off the base of the maul from which the ball was spread wide to Jack Crowley who cut Argentina's defence in two to score the first try of the match.

Two minutes later Garry Ringrose scooped up a loose pass from Argentina and made a great break into the 22 of Argentina. The ball was quickly recycled and Tadhg Beirne passed the ball back inside to put Mack Hansen in space who scored Ireland's second try to lead 12-00 after twelve minutes of play.

Argentina converted two penalties in the following ten minutes before Jack Crowley converted a drop-goal by Jack Crowley to extend Ireland's lead to 15-06 with fifteen minutes still to play in the first half.

Ireland's ill-discipline kept Argentina in contact on the scoreboard and Tomas Albornoz converted a third penalty for the visitors.

With eight minutes to play in the first half, Robbie Henshaw crashed up before popping inside to James Lowe, Ireland then recycled and Joe McCarthy crashed over for Ireland's third try. Ireland is deservedly opening up a big lead, leading 22-09 with eight minutes to play in the first half.

Argentina declined three attempts to convert a penalty, in their chase to cut the lead of Ireland. Unfortunately, they could not breach the defence of their hosts and went into the halftime break trailing 09-22.

Argentina started the second half patiently attacking for a good four minutes until Juan Cruz Mallia slipped a tackle by Garry Ringrose to burst through, before stepping Mack Hansen to score the visitors' first try cutting Ireland's lead to 22-16.

After ten minutes of play in the second half, Tomas Albornoz converted his fourth penalty to reduce Ireland's lead to three points.

With five minutes to play a silly yellow card to Francisco Gomez Kodela ended Argentina's hopes of claiming their first win over Ireland in Dublin.

Scorers:
Ireland: Tries: Jack Crowley, Mack Hansen, Joe McCarthy. Conversions: Jack Crowley (2). Dropgoal: Jack Crowley.
Argentina: Try: Juan Cruz Mallia. Conversion: Tomas Albornoz. Penalties: Tomas Albornoz (4).

Teams:

Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter. Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Ryan Baird, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Jamie Osborne.

Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Matias Moroni, 11 Bautista Delguy, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Thomas Gallo. Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Santiago Grondona, 21 Gonzalo Garcia, 22 Santiago Carreras, 23 Justo Piccardo.