Rampant Argentina opened their Autumn Nations Collection marketing campaign with a commanding 50-18 win over Italy in Udine to increase their successful run in opposition to the Azzurri to 9 video games.
Fly-half Tomas Albornoz, who performs his membership rugby in Italy at Benetton, scored 20 factors to steer the Pumas to their biggest-ever victory within the fixture because the guests let unfastened within the second half.
It was a powerful begin to the Autumn Collection for the Pumas, who’ve journeys to Eire and France to come back, whereas the Azzurri host Georgia subsequent earlier than taking over New Zealand in Turin.
An early damage to Ange Capuozzo put Italy on the again foot, and the Pumas capitalised with two tries as Juan Cruz Mallia scooped up a unfastened ball to run within the first from his personal half earlier than Gonzalo Bertranou dotted down the second within the nook.
However Italy battled again in a scrappy encounter with a penalty strive from a driving maul and Tommaso Allan’s penalty made it a one-score recreation on the break, even when the hosts have been left annoyed that Mirco Spagnolo’s strive was dominated out.
One other Allan kick lowered the deficit to 4 factors early within the second half to boost dwelling hopes of a comeback, however they have been quickly extinguished because the Pumas raced clear.
Joel Sclavi, Santiago Cordero, Matias Alemanno and Bautista Delguy ran in tries for the guests within the second half, with Giacomo Nicotera’s effort Italy’s solely response on an evening head coach Gonzalo Quesada will need to overlook in opposition to his native nation.
Speaking level – Sobering night time for Italy’s development
After a massively encouraging first yr in cost for Italy head coach Quesada, a conflict together with his native nation offered a stark and sobering return to actuality.
Italy’s excellent 2024 Six Nations marketing campaign, the place they beat Scotland and Wales and held France to a draw, was broadly seen as proof that this younger group was lastly able to ship the outcomes its potential had lengthy promised.
However this hammering in Udine was extra just like the unhealthy outdated days, because the Azzurri failed to seek out any rhythm in assault and confirmed a scarcity of self-discipline and defensive form. The strain will likely be on to show issues round in opposition to Georgia convincingly, and restore perception that they will land some punches when the All Blacks go to on the finish of the month.
Participant of the match – Tomas Albornoz (Argentina)
The Benetton fly-half checked out dwelling as he put his adopted nation to the sword with regular kicking from the tee, an outstanding burst below the posts for his attempt to some slick passing as he ended the night time with 20 factors.
Participant scores
Italy: Capuozzo 6, Lynagh 5, Brex 6, Menoncello 6, Ioane 6, P. Garbisi 6, Web page-Relo 5; Spagnolo 6, Lucchesi 7, Riccioni 6, N. Cannone 6, Ruzza 6, Negri 6, Lamaro 6, L. Cannone 5
Replacements: Nicotera 7, Fischetti 6, Ferrari 6, Lamb 6, Zuliani 6, A. Garbisi 6, Allan 7, Zanon 6
Argentina: Mallia 8, Isgro 8, Cinti 8, Orlando 7, Delguy 7, Albornoz 9, Bertranou 8; Gallo 7, Montoya 7, Sclavi 8, Molina 7, Rubiolo 7, Gonzalez 6, Grondona 7, Oviedo 7
Replacements: Ruiz 6, Calles 6, Kodela 6, Alemanno 7, Pedemonte 6, Garcia 6, Moroni 6, Cordero 8
Match highlights
12’ TRY – ITALY 0-10 ARGENTINA (MALLIA, CON. ALBORNOZ)
Intestine-wrenching stuff for Italy! Simply as they’re launching considered one of their most promising assaults of the sport, Ruzza fails to catch a go out broad and Mallia scoops it up earlier than sprinting all the way in which down the touchline from his personal 22-metre line, stepping Lynagh on the finish for good measure.
34’ TRY! ITALY 7-17 ARGENTINA (PENALTY TRY)
This time the lineout sticks, and the maul kinds…and a penalty strive is awarded because it comes down! Carley’s arm goes into the air and there will likely be a yellow card for Gonzalez besides. The Azzurri are again in it! All because of that Lucchesi turnover.
58’ TRY! ITALY 13-31 ARGENTINA (ALBORNOZ, CON. ALBORNOZ)
Argentina hit Italy on the counter-attack direct from that unfastened ball as Lynagh fails to collect a excessive ball. It is all a bit scrappy because the ball bounces round, however Albornoz finishes it beautifully by bursting below the posts earlier than getting up so as to add the conversion.
67’ TRY! ITALY 13-36 ARGENTINA (CORDERO)
Argentina are dwelling and dry! Excellent end from Cordero the substitute, who places on the afterburners on the wing to step previous two defenders and dive over the road. For the primary time tonight, Albornoz fails to nail the conversion.
79’ TRY! ITALY 18-50 ARGENTINA (DELGUY, CON. ALBORNOZ)
It is 50! Argentina have run rampant on this second half and Delguy finishes with a flourish, ending a flowing group transfer to finish a convincing victory.
