Argentina overpowers NSW Gen Blue in Pacific Rugby Cup
NSW’s aspiring Gen Blue side has been defeated 31-16 by Argentina’s Pampas XV, in front of a vocal crowd at Sydney’s David Philips Field this afternoon.
Although disappointed with the result, NSW Gen Blue Coach Tim Rapp said there was a lot to take from the match. “We started off strongly and really showed our range of attacking abilities,” said Rapp, whose side came into the third game of the tournament unbeaten after wins over ACT A and Samoa A.
“However handling errors hindered our ability to retain possession and cost us against a powerful Argentinian pack. The guys will take a lot from this match and Gen Blue will bounce back stronger.”
Gen Blue started the match strongly with an early Matt Carraro try after a brilliant pass from centre Rob Horne allowed the winger to sprint 40 metres through the middle of the Pampas defence.
The early stages of the first half were dominated by Gen Blue, with the home side making strong early runs across the park. Argentina met NSW’s fast, free-flowing attack with solid defence and when NSW infringed at the breakdown, flyhalf Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias was able to slot a penalty from 35 metres out.
Strong defence from Gen Blue left the Pampas’ attack in disarray and the strong home scrum created a platform for the New South Welshmen to attack from, against the men from South America.
Midway through first half, Argentina’s ill discipline at the breakdown cost them a penalty and took the score to 7-3, after solid defence from NSW captain Pat McCutcheon forced several turnovers and handed Gen Blue control of the early parts of the match.
After the teams trading penalties, the score stood at 10-6 to NSW, until pressure from Argentina’s pack earned the visitors another penalty, taking the score to 10-9 at the break.
NSW started the second half strongly and met Argentina’s aggressive defence head on. Captain McCutcheon’s committed work at the breakdown allowed NSW to secure a penalty from right in front, and scrumhalf Brendan McKibbin was able to convert to take the score to 13-9.
The success was short-lived however as Argentina was able to secure valuable possession in NSW’s defensive zone and, off the back of a solid maul, captain Tomas Cubelli touched down between the posts to give Argentina the lead for the first time in the match with the score 16-13.
Gen Blue hit back, with McKibbin capitalising on an easy shot at goal after some ill-discipline at the breakdown to level the scores at 16-all.
As the second half marched on, Argentina’s powerful forwards began to dominate, allowing the South American backs to score through replacement back Javier Rojas. With the conversion, the Pampas led Gen Blue 23-16.
Despite daring efforts to get back on the attack in the second half, the home side conceded a penalty within kicking range, allowing the Pampas XV to extend their lead to 16-26, before a late try sealed the visitors’ victory, taking the final score to 31-16.
Gen Blue: 1 Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University), 2 Tolu Latu (Sydney University), 3 Tim Metcher (Southern Districts), 4 Jarrod Barry (Eastwood), 5 Loma Kaveinga (Balmain), 6 Jed Holloway (Southern Districts), 7 Pat McCutcheon (captain, Sydney University), 8 Tala Gray (Eastern Suburbs), 9 Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs), 10 Jonno Lance (Eastern Suburbs), 11 Joel Brooks (West Harbour), 12 Rob Horne (Southern Districts) 13 Matt Carraro (Randwick), 14 Ben Volavola (Southern Districts), 15 Cam Crawford (Northern Suburbs).
Replacements: 16 Mike Ala’alatoa (West Harbour), 17 Hugh Roach (Eastwood), 18 Sam Talakai (Sydney University), 19 Seilala Lam (Randwick), 20 James Cunningham (Unattached), 21 Matt Lucas (Manly), 22 Mali Hingano (Manly), 23 Pieter Engelbrecht (Randwick).
Pampas XV: 1 Lucas Noguera Paz, 2 Matías Cortese, 3 Bruno Postiglioni, 4 Matías Alemanno, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Tomás de La Vega, 8 Antonio Ahualli de Chazal, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 10 Santiago González Iglesias, 11 Manuel Montero, 12 Jerónimo de La Fuente, 13 Matías Moroni, 14 Matías Orlando, 15 Román Miralles.
Replacements: 16 Santiago Iglesias Valdez, 17 Julián Montoya, 18 Tomás Ramírez, 19 Lucas Ponce, 20 Rodrigo Baez, 21 Martín Landajo, 22 Tomás Carrio, 23 Javier Rojas.
