The atmosphere was like a pressure cooker as the teams took the field at the  Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero. Both teams have a lot to fight for with the Los Pumas looking to make it  2-0 and more importantly reverse the 5-0 losing streak against England. England on the other hand will be looking continue their albeit short winning run and maybe save Steve Borthwicks job. 

The Game

I don’t think I’ve seen a more spiteful game of rugby in a long, long time and it kicked off right from the start. England started well with a strong run from Feyi-Waboso.  On the next England attack Fin Smith floated a beautiful kick towards Freeman’s wing who soared above Carreras to claim it and score. Immediately after the touchdown there’s some afters that Freeman took exception to. Conversion missed 5-0 to England. 

The game restarts with a penalty to Argentina after an indiscretion from Chessum in the post try melee. Argentina go on the attack but are held out by the English defence. Gus gives England a warning after a succession of penalties in their 22. It’s now tit for tat attacks with both defences holding out but the deadlock is broken when in the 23 rd minute Joe Heyes wins a loose ball and England immediately drive forwards. The ball moves left to Feyi-Waboso who crashes through the line and into the Argentine 22. Three passes later Earl has the ball and goes over. Finn Smith converts and it’s 12-0. The first card of the day arrives as Mateo Carreras hits Freeman’s  head as second man into a tackle. On review it stays at yellow.  With 10 mins to HT Argentina get their first points on the board when Jamie George is penalised for lazy running. Albornoz slots the kick and it’s 12-3. 

The second try of the game comes after the England pack monster their counterparts back over their own line and Ben Earl dots down for the easiest of tries. Smith converts and it’s 19-3. Half time arrives. 

Apart from the occasional flash Argentina have looked fairly pedestrian. England on the other hand have looked very good when they run the ball. The kick chase still leaves a lot to be desired but this is their best performance for a while. Can they keep their discipline and produce a decent second half performance. We’ll see.

Its a game of two halves.

The second half starts with the Pumas on the attack. A driving maul is held up close with  Garcia going for line. He’s stopped short but Mateo Carreras following up forces through loose tacklers and goes over for the score. His brother Santi adds the conversion and it’s 19-10. 

Albornoz is now running more often, making metres each time. His latest run feeds Garcia then Oviedo on a big support line to crash further forward into the England half. On the 50 minute mark Albornoz basketballs a pass over the head of van Poortvliet in the 22  and the England man slaps it forward one handed and it’s a very obvious yellow card. Argentina kick to the corner but loose the line out. 

With Argentina still on the attack, another infringement sees Alex Cole’s join JVP on the naughty bench for a slap down that earns a yellow card and a penalty try. It’s 19-17. Argentina have been in control in this second period with Englands discipline being a real issue. Pollock arrives on the scene to boos from the crowd but makes a good clearing kick taking the ball into the Argentine half. Not to be out done Argentina lose Oviedo to the bin, this time for a croc roll. 

The return of Van Poortvliet heralds an England try. With England on the attack a long pass from the scrum half allows Marcus Smith to dive over in the right corner. Fin Smith nails the conversion from wide out and it’s 26-17 to the men in white. To add insult to injury Argentina lose another player to the bin. Santi Carreras the fullback went for the van Poortvliet pass one handed but didn’t get enough on it to prevent the try. That makes no differences to Gus who bins him straight after the conversion. 

With 10 mins to go England move further ahead when an overthrow by Argentina at the lineout reaches Earl who bursts forward to set up a good position. The ball moves quickly left to Feyi-Waboso who runs through with ease. The conversion is missed and it’s 31-17 with England looking comfortable. 

I spoke too soon. Within 3 mins England lose two more players to the bin. Gus loses his patience with Englands infringements and Pollock is the first to go followed a few minutes later by prop Iyogun. Two men down with a few minutes to go and Argentina pressing hard. There is a long delay while Bernard Van Rensberg is treated for concussion and stretchered off.  With a minute to go Argentina pull back a try through centre Piccardo that is converted to make it 31-24. Argentina continue pounding the England line and in the 4th minute of time added on look to have scored in the corner. The ball moved to Delguy’s wing for a dive into the corner. Caluori looked to take him a little high, but Gus is happy with it as Delguy continued past that tackle diving for the corner under the covering tackle of Slade. He appears  to touch the ball down as he clatters into the corner flag. Its tight, and the on-field decision is try. The ref is saying it’s a try while looking at the replay, while the TMO says it’s grounded on the touch in-goal line. Deliberation goes on for what feels like age before Gus accepts the TMO’s conclusion. I must admit I felt Caluori’s tackle was a bit dodgy, what I think they call a seatbelt. It threw Delguy off balance and could easily have been another card and a penalty try to tie the scores. Gus blows for time, the game is over and the Argentina players and crowd are fuming with more pleasantries exchanged after the final whistle.

‘Engerlund’

Summary

No love lost between these two teams as was evident during and after the game. I can’t help but feel that Gus Gardener lost control of the game in the second half.

England will be glad this season is over and will be pleased with this win. They had to weather a frantic finale to complete an eventful five-try win over Argentina, denying their hosts a notable sporting double. However, England were ultimately indebted to Marcus Smith and Feyi-Waboso, who had a great game, for all-important tries. 

Discipline remains a serious issue and receiving four yellow cards, taking their tally to 14 in their last 10 Tests. That is just not good enough.  The  Pumas, who had three players sent to the bin themselves, could not quite make their numerical advantage pay in the closing minutes.

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