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Argentina put Chile to the sword in historic South American derby
By PA
Nicolas Sanchez marked his 100th Test appearance by contributing 20 points as Argentina stayed on course for the World Cup quarter-finals with a 59-5 win over Chile in Nantes.
Fly-half Sanchez went over for a superb early solo try in the corner and kicked 15 further points to help lift Argentina up to third in Pool D after registering a 40th straight win over their South American neighbours.
The Pumas scored eight converted tries and now face a showdown with Japan on October 8 in their bid to finish second in the group behind England.
Michael Cheika’s side had reignited their World Cup hopes by beating Samoa 19-10 after their opening defeat to England and this first World Cup meeting between two South American nations was a must-win match.
Sanchez became only the second Pumas player to reach 100 caps for his country after Sale hooker Agustin Creevy and both players played key roles against Chile.
The Brive fly-half followed up his early try with a penalty and converted first-half tries from flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez and Creevy.
Pumas winger Rodrigo Isgro was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Rodrigo Fernandez and returned for the second half.
Chile, beaten in all 39 previous encounters between the two nations, had lost to Japan, Samoa and England in their first three group matches, but they competed gamely.
After Argentina full-back Martin Bogado’s converted try early in the second half extended his side’s lead to 31-0, Chile hooker Augusto Bohme barged over, but his score was ruled out for a forward pass.
Isgro powered over to touch down and Gonzalez’s second try of the match – both converted by Sanchez – made it 45-0 with 12 minutes left.
Chile were rewarded for their battling spirit by Tomas Dussaillant’s close-range try, which was greeted by one of the biggest cheers of the match.
Ignacio Ruiz and Santiago Carreras both went over for converted tries for Argentina in the closing stages, with Carreras adding the extras.
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Latest Comments
We beat Wales. Oh wow.
Go to commentsAs has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.
Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.
That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.
You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).
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