Ireland Edge Past Argentina in Hard-Fought Victory at the Aviva
Ireland 22
Argentina 19
Ireland have tonight returned to winning ways – albeit in unconvincing fashion – in a 22-19 win over Argentina at the Aviva Stadium.
Andy Farrell’s men stormed into a 22-9 lead shortly after the half hour mark, a lead which they took into the half time break.
That was to be the end of Ireland’s scoring for the night, as they hung on for a 22-19 win following a second half fightback from the Pumas.
It was a dream start for Ireland when Argentina’s Matias Moroni was yellow carded and Jack Crowley kicked to the corner, going over himself after good work by Rónan Kelleher.
Just two minutes later, Ireland were over again after a brilliant run by Garry Ringrose eventually led to Mack Hansen scoring.
Shortly after, Argentina had points on the board when Tomas Albornoz converted a penalty after Robbie Henshaw was penalised for offside.
Irelands ill discipline continued when Finlay Bealham was sent to the bin for a croc roll on Joel Sclavi. Argentina elected to go back to the tee and Albornoz converted to make it 12-6.
After an Irish attack broke down, Jack Crowley nailed a drop goal to make it 15-6 but Irelands ill discipline showed again – Albornoz kicking his third penalty of the night after Kelleher was penalised for obstruction.
Just after the half hour mark, Gibson-Park set up Joe McCarthy and the lock powered his way over from close range with Crowley converting to leave the score 22-9 to Ireland at the break.
Just five minutes into the second half Argentina cut into the deficit, some questionble defending allowing Juan Cruz Mallia to cross over and leave the score at 22-16.
Things went from bad to worse just a few minutes later when Joe McCarthy was yellow carded as a result of continuous penalties by Ireland. After Albornoz slotted the penalty, the game hung in the balance at 22-19.
Thankfully a missed Albornoz drop goal was as close as it came to threatening Irelands lead after that, who were able to introduce young outhalf Sam Prendergast for his Irish debut.
Andy Farrell will be hoping for an improved performance next week when Ireland host Fiji next Saturday.
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw (Jamie Osborne, 62), James Lowe; Jack Crowley (Sam Prendergast, 62), Jamison Gibson-Park (Craig Casey, 73); Andrew Porter (Cian Healy, 67), Ronan Kelleher (Rob Herring, 63), Finlay Bealham (Thomas Clarkson, 52); Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (Ryan Baird, 62, Peter O’Mahony, 64 – Baird HIA); Tadgh Beirne, Josh van der Flier (Thomas Clarkson, 23-28 – YC FR rep), Caelan Doris – (C).
Yellow carded: Bealham 15-25, McCarthy 49-59
ARGENTINA: J Cruz Mallia; R Isgro (S Carreras, 57), L Cinti (J Piccardo, 58 – HIA), M Moroni, B Delguy; T Albornoz, G Bertranou (G Garcia, 48); T Gallo (I Calles, 22-32 – HIA; 72), J Montoya (I Ruiz, 21-31 – blood), J Sclavi (F Kodela Gomez, 51); G Petti (F Molina, 51), P Rubiolo; P Matera (S Grondona, 63), J M Gonzalez, J Oviedo.
Yellow carded: M Moroni 2-12, F Gomez Kodela 75
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)