In the first match of the European autumn, which opened with the first match of the Northern Series of the Nations Championship, Los Pumas fell to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin by 42-12. The next match will be in Genoa, when Los Pumas visit Gonzalo Quesada's Italy.
The match started favorably for Los Pumas with Mateo Carreras on fire in the air and capitalizing on a great assist from Tomás Albornoz to put the national team ahead.
Their control of the match lasted only about 10 minutes, as from there it was Ireland who took absolute possession and initiative.
The Pumas were erratic in the lineout with four turnovers in 30 minutes. Sam Prendergast pulled the strings of the game and the forwards prevailed in the set piece scoring three consecutive tries to turn the game around.
Justo Piccardo was shown a yellow card in the 34th minute and Julián Montoya had to leave the field due to a blow to the head, to be replaced by Leonel Oviedo.
Oviedo had to leave the field in the final minutes of the half for HIA to be replaced by Mayco Vivas, but it was Boris Wenger who took the role of hooker. However, Ireland's dominance meant it was 21-5 in favor of the home team at halftime.
In the second half, Ireland struck quickly once again to stretch the lead further, led by the forwards and McCarthy in particular. Then Argentine responded with a second try to Mateo Carreras, the most influential Puma back on the field.
When it seemed that Los Pumas could recompose themselves, Ireland again managed to break down the defense and control the match even more.
Efraín Elías, who had just come on, was shown a yellow card for a high tackle and with one less on the pitch Ireland took full advantage.
Despite the changes, Los Pumas attempted to regain their composure, but their attacks were constantly thwarted by unforced errors.
The standout player of the match was Irish fullback Hugo Keenan [pictured] who was scored a hattrick of tries.
Ireland 42 [Tries: Keenan 3, Sheehan, Prendergast, Kelleher, Cons: Prendergast 5, Frawley] Argentina 12 [Tries: Carreras 2, Cons: Albornoz]
Ireland: 1- Andrew Porter (Tom O'Toole), 2- Dan Sheehan (Ronan Kelleher), 3- Tadhg Furlong (Sam Illo), 4- Joe McCarthy (James Ryan), 5- Tadhg Beirne, 6- Ryan Baird, 7- Nick Timoney, 8- Sean Jansen (Josh Van der Flier), 9- Craig Casey (Jamison Gibson-Park), 10- Sam Prendergast (Ciaran Frawley), 11- Mack Hansen, 12- Stuart McCloskey, 13- Robbie Henshaw, 14- Robert Baloucoune (Jamie Osborne), 15- Hugo Keenan.
Los Pumas: 1- Boris Wenger (Mayco Vivas), 2- Julián Montoya (Leonel Oviedo), 3- Francisco Moreno (Joel Sclavi), 4- Guido Petti (Efraín Elías), 5- Pedro Rubiolo, 6- Juan Martín González (Juan Martín Scelzo), 7- Marcos Kremer, 8- Pablo Matera (vice-captain), 9- Gonzalo García (Simón Benítez Cruz), 10- Tomás Albornoz, 11- Mateo Carreras, 12- Santiago Chocobares (Lucio Cinti), 13- Justo Piccardo, 14- Bautista Delguy, 15- Juan Cruz Mallía (Gerónimo Prisciantelli).
