Santiago del Estero: England secure victory over Argentina in Nations Championship
England emerged victorious against Argentina in a Nations Championship match held in Santiago del Estero, securing a 31-24 win. The match, which concluded the Southern Hemisphere series for both teams, was marked by intense play and numerous disciplinary actions, including seven yellow cards issued throughout the game.
The fixture saw a total of eight tries scored, with England maintaining a strong lead for much of the game. However, the second half was particularly chaotic, lasting for an extended period due to various stoppages and contentious moments. This included a disallowed try for Argentina in the 83rd minute, which added to the dramatic conclusion of the encounter.
Match Highlights and Disciplinary Actions
The game was a renewal of the rivalry between the two nations, taking place just three days after a football World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina. In that football match, England lost 2-1 after conceding a late lead, which had led to significant criticism of their manager’s tactics. The rugby match, therefore, carried an added layer of intensity for both sides.
Discipline proved to be a significant issue, particularly for England, who received four yellow cards in the second half alone. Argentina also had two players sin-binned in the second period, in addition to one yellow card in the first half, bringing the total to seven for the match. These disciplinary issues contributed to the fragmented nature of the game, with both teams playing with reduced numbers at various points.
During the second half, England found themselves down to 13 men at one stage, facing significant pressure from the Pumas. Despite this, they managed to regain their composure and leverage their own numerical advantage later in the game. The match’s climax involved a crucial decision by the Television Match Official (TMO) regarding a potential last-gasp try for Argentina, which was ultimately overturned.
The disallowed try occurred in the 83rd minute when Delguy appeared to ground the ball in the corner. The on-field referee, Angus Gardner, initially awarded the try, believing it was clearly grounded. However, TMO Brett Cronan intervened, asserting that the ball was grounded on the intersection of the sideline and try line, leading to the decision being overturned. This controversial call prevented a potential draw and secured England’s victory.
Team Performance and Future Outlook
Steve Borthwick’s England side entered the match with renewed confidence following a dominant 73-8 victory over Fiji in Liverpool, where they scored 11 tries, including a hat-trick from Henry Pollock. That win had ended a five-game losing streak for England, which had included a challenging Six Nations campaign and a defeat in South Africa.
The Pumas, on the other hand, had bounced back from an opening weekend loss to Scotland by defeating Wales. They were eager to secure a victory against England, especially after their national football team’s recent success. However, despite their efforts, including a try from Montpellier centre Justo Piccardo in the 80th minute, they were unable to overcome England’s lead.
The match also saw an injury to Janse van Rensburg, who had to be stretchered off the field. This incident led to a lengthy stoppage in the final minutes of the game, further adding to the dramatic conclusion. Despite the injury and the contentious decisions, England held on to their lead.
With this win, England will head into November’s Nations Championship fixtures in third place in the table, having secured back-to-back bonus point victories. Argentina currently sits fourth in the Southern Hemisphere standings after the conclusion of this series.
The victory in Santiago del Estero marks a positive end to the summer series for England, despite the concerns raised about their disciplinary record. The team’s ability to secure a win in such a chaotic and fiercely contested match will provide a boost as they prepare for their upcoming Nations Championship fixtures.
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Source: bbc.com