Emiliano Boffelli scored 16 factors as Argentina put their World Cup marketing campaign again on monitor with a disciplined and composed 19-10 victory over erratic Samoa.
Victory retains the Pumas’ within the hunt for the quarter-finals following their opening Pool D defeat to England two weeks in the past. Samoa face an uphill battle to make the knock-out phases.
“We knew it wouldn’t be easy. Samoa are a strong team. It was a very important win today,” Boffelli stated.
“The supporters were incredible. We felt their support.” An error-strewn show proved Samoa’s undoing, with quite a few knock-ons halting their progress and momentum.
Samoa did arrange a grandstand end when substitute hooker Sama Malolo burrowed over 5 minutes from time, earlier than Argentina veteran Nicolas Sanchez ended Samoan hopes with a last-gasp penalty.
Watch each match of The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Live on Kayo Sports. Join now and begin streaming immediately >
“Extremely proud of the boys today,” stated Samoa captain Chris Vui. “I thought the better team won, all credit to Argentina, they were more clinical, so full credit to them.” Samoa made a poor begin after which paid for some hapless kicking and doubtful tactical selections as Argentina steadily clocked up the scores in driving rain.
Samoa full-back Duncan Paia’aua was yellow-carded inside the primary 35 seconds for taking out Santiago Carreras within the air.
Just earlier than Paia’aua returned, Argentina made Samoa pay, switching play from one wing to the opposite earlier than Boffelli darted in off his flank to stretch out an arm and rating.
Samoa had been the architects of their very own downfall, as veteran fly-half Christian Leali’ifano gifted Argentina possession contained in the 22 by taking a free-kick from the unsuitable place.
Boffelli transformed his personal try to quickly added a penalty earlier than Leali’ifano acquired the Pacific Islanders off the mark with a three-pointer that bounced on the crossbar and over.
A second penalty from Boffelli pushed Argentina’s result in 13-3, whereas Leali’ifano missed two easy wanting kicks at objective in what was rapidly turning into a private horror present.
GRANDSTAND FINALE
Leali’ifano turned down one other penalty alternative to kick to the nook however Argentina stole the Samoan line-out.
Moments later, on the stroke of half-time, Samoa had a five-metre scrum, however scrum-half Jonathan Taumateine spilled the ball and allowed Argentina to outlive and take a 10-point lead into the break.
With the rain abating, Argentina grew in confidence initially of the second half, pinning Samoa within the nook earlier than giving freely a penalty from a double motion by Boffelli as he sought a second attempt.
Samoa misplaced UJ Seuteni, knocked out whereas making a sort out, and one other botched line-out invited extra strain.
A intelligent Pablo Matera grubber kick led to a penalty deep within the Samoa 22 that Argentina kicked to the nook.
Fierce defence saved Argentina out till Boffelli knocked over his third profitable penalty.
Boffelli missed a penalty from midway, however made up for that with some essential cowl beneath his personal posts to stop Tumua Manu from operating onto a grubber to attain.
Samoa lastly scored a attempt 5 minutes from time by Malolo, with D’Angelo Leuila changing.
But substitute Sanchez had the final phrase.
CHEIKA BRACES FOR ‘BATTLE OF SOUTH AMERICA’
Argentina are prepared for the “battle of South America” in opposition to Chile after getting off the mark.
Next up shall be Chile within the first ever Rugby World Cup conflict between two South American nations.
“The next game is very important for many reasons because we know Chile will give everything to attack us,” stated head coach Michael Cheika.
“It’s logical, it’s the battle of South America and we have to be ready. “That’s good for us because every World Cup match is a war, we have to be ready for all of them.” Cheika stated the Pumas had made progress because the listless defeat to 14-man England, however he expects extra to come back.
“The defensive foundations were there, the maul was much better than the previous match,” he stated.
“The basics were there, territorial (occupation) was there, but we need to be more clinical in moments.
“But a lot of respect to the players, this was a die-or-survive match and I was happy to always be in the game.”
After Chile, Argentina will play Japan in what stands out as the decisive match to see who progress to the quarter-finals
Source: www.foxsports.com.au