Emotions were high for the Argentinians yesterday, with the party starting before kick off. This was their day, their best opportunity to make their first RWC final. The English neutrals were clearly on their side, and unsurprisingly, the Puma's biggest fan (literally). Diego Maradonna flew over for the match and heightened the emotion by joining in the chanting on the big screen. The atmosphere pre-kick off was electric.
Unfortunately, the emotion spilled onto the pitch, with the impressive Sanchez making a rare error after 2 minutes and gifting Oz an early try. This continued with the Argentinians continually trying to play too much rugby in their own half, and run the ball out of their own 22, rather than putting the ball deep into Australian territory. They must have been trying to retain possession and not allow the Oz back three to run back at them, but a good kick chase strategy would have served them better. A second Australian try resulted after a knock on following the attempt to tap a quick free kick, when a clearance kick was the only option. Argentina destroyed them up front, and had plenty of possession, and, despite Pocock and Hooper turning the ball over several times, they built enough pressure to gain penalties within field goal range, and kept themselves within a score.
Mr Barnes, the English ref, then yellow carded an Argentinian for tackling Folau around the ankles without use of his arms (surely that law was invented to deter high tackles not ankle tappers?). The Argentinians booed, and all the neutrals joined them. Inevitably, Australia scored a further try exploiting the extra space. However, Sanchez kicked a further penalty, and had Argentina scored right at the end of the first half following a great break by Cordero, the scores would have been close at halfway.
As the attrition took its toll, and the subs arrived early in the second half, the game opened up more with Argentina continuing to dominate possession. How Australia conceded 10+ penalties, including deliberate slowing down of the ball, and were not carded is a mystery. Genia deliberately tackled a player within 10m of a quick tap penalty, and Barnes kept his hand in his pocket. Once again the officials seem reluctant to penalise a Tier 1 team.
Argentina kept attacking, from anywhere, but poor decision making, with overlaps begging, and fantastic Aussie defence, kept them at bay. It was like 7's, with both teams reluctant to kick and concede possession, with the result that eventually the proud, brave but inaccurate, exhausted Pumas conceded a final breakaway try to the opposition. The Australian defence was immense making 140 tackles in the game, more than they made in the Wales, Scotland and England games combined. The Argentinians did themselves proud and have improved immensely since playing in the Championship. Official MOM was Ashley Cooper for his three tries, but Pocock was very close and Cordero, who ran 100m in total yesterday, and looked their best attacking threat. Farewell to a few players who will not see another RWC, including Juan Martin Hernandez, whose footwork and distribution (for an old guy) was something to admire against the best backline and (allegedly) best back row in the world.
 |
| When will we see his like again? |
No comments:
Post a Comment