Argentina 22 Ireland 20

[Thequeerone]

Argentina 22 Ireland 20

and you wallaby fans feel hard done by

A last-gasp Felipe Contepomi drop goal gave Argentina 22-20 victory against Ireland in Santa Fe.

Contepomi was the man of the match even though Eddie O'Sullivan's side managed to control the Pumas captain in a first half which belied Ireland's inexperience at full-back.

Simon Best, in his first match as captain, did not disappoint with an outstanding performance.

Full-back Gavin Duffy and wing Brian Carney provided a telling influence in the early part of the game, Carney's movement surprising the hosts as the former rugby league player constantly probed Argentina's defence.

And it was Ireland who broke the deadlock with a Paddy Wallace penalty after six minutes.

A minute later Carney had his reward when he recovered the ball after a misplaced pass by Contepomi and claimed his first try for Ireland on his international debut.

Wallace slotted the conversion to put the visitors into a 10-0 lead.

Contepomi's penalty then reduced the deficit and after he and Wallace missed further kicks at goal, the Argentinian converted just before the break.

Ireland made a nervous start to the second half before Contepomi reduced the deficit to a single point.

Duffy's great kick then gave Ireland great field position and a fantastic 30-yard rolling maul eventually saw the visitors awarded a penalty try. Wallace's conversion put them 17-9 ahead.

However, Argentina hit back through a Contepomi penalty before Hernan Senillosa went over for a try. Contepomi's conversion put the hosts ahead for the first time in the match.

Although Duffy's penalty put Ireland ahead again with three minutes to go, Contepomi's last-gasp drop goal saw Argentina take the lead.

Victory was assured for the hosts when wing Geordan Murphy failed with an attempt at a drop goal.

[Burgs]

Wallaby or Wales fans TQ1?

[Thequeerone]

Think the Welsh Fans know they were lucky to get the two trys they got - from the sound of this article the Irish were unlucky to lose - it was the corker of a match that everyone predicted -

got to admit to feeling disappointed because I had hoped that Ireland had lifted a notch

but we will wait and see what happens next week

[Burgs]

Always a tough one in Argentina TQ1 as we discussed pre match.
Probably one of those (perhaps a bit like the Welshmen) were they would go to bed peeved but wake up proud.
Unlike the Poms

[Thequeerone]

[felixnelson]

argentina really needs to make the tri-nations, the four nations, and perhaps the super 14, the super 16 or 17... they have really produced some great performances, time to step up the help for their development

[Burgs]

100% agree here Felix

Glad to lighten the burden TQ1

[frontrow]

I agree that argentina has really earnt it's stripes and should be allowed to enter a more high profile arena, such as tri-nations, but probably not super 14 as it is both tough economically and distance wise as well...

[fermain]

ach well, we should have won really. Can't believe we didn't, of course it wasn't our 1st's, but the team will hopefully redeem themselves with a more polished performance next week.

Agree, the argies should definitely be able to play in a stronger international league as a way forward.

[Darren]

the only thing we can all take solace in after the weekends games is the flogging that England got - go the Springboks!