Eire have survived a fierce second half comeback from Argentina to narrowly defeat the Pumas 22-19 on the Aviva Stadium and bounce again from final week’s disappointing loss to New Zealand.
Eire led 22-9 at half-time after ruthlessly punishing an early Argentina yellow card with two tries within the first seven minutes from Jack Crowley and Mack Hansen.
Joe McCarthy added a 3rd after Tomas Albornoz had saved the guests in contact.
A really completely different Argentina facet emerged after the break with Juan Cruz Mallia slicing the hosts open and Albornoz reducing the result in simply three factors earlier than Eire composed themselves, in no small half due to a formidable debut off the bench from 21-year-old flyhalf Sam Prendergast to hold on.
“I feel there was a little bit of a additional strain on a few of us based mostly on our performances final week,” Eire captain Caelan Doris mentioned in a pitchside interview, referring to the error-filled 23-13 loss to the All Blacks.
“We felt we began properly however their high quality confirmed within the second half. It undoubtedly examined the resilience, examined our health and our psychological fortitude.”
The in-form Pumas got here to Dublin fancying their likelihood of a primary win on Irish soil of their eleventh try however instantly dug themselves right into a gap when centre Matias Moroni was despatched to the sin bin for a excessive deal with on Eire flyhalf Crowley.
It was Crowley who sidestepped his solution to open the scoring inside a minute and the hosts additional exploited the extensive open areas when a searing break from Garry Ringrose break opened issues as much as hand the best of finishes to wing Hansen.
The virtually wholly unchanged Irish facet was exhibiting the sort of attacking intent sorely lacking final week once they had been dominated by the All Blacks, however it wasn’t a flawless response and allowed Albornoz to chip away on the lead.
Crowley, one of many poor performers coach Andy Farrell highlighted when he mentioned a few of his gamers had been “most likely fortunate” to maintain their locations, was a lot improved within the first half and struck an excellent drop objective in between the Albornoz penalties.
Argentina had been unable to take related benefit when Finlay Bealham was despatched to the sin bin and McCarthy prolonged the lead again to a extra comfy margin when the Irish prop returned.
If the nice attacking rugby Argentina confirmed in wins this 12 months over France, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia was absent within the first half, it was on full show 5 minutes into the second when Toulouse fullback Mallia slipped a deal with and danced by means of the Irish defence for the strive of the sport.
Eire regarded rattled and the raggedness of final week returned as Albornoz made it a three-point recreation and Farrell’s head was in his fingers within the coaches’ field when McCarthy was yellow carded for persistent Irish infringements.
The sport was abruptly on a knife edge and with Crowley amongst these making errors, Farrell handed the reins to Prendergast and received a equally massive influence from the remainder of the bench, together with a document equalling 133rd look in inexperienced for Cian Healy.
The composed Prendergast added some a lot wanted zip again into the Irish assault and helped wrestle the sport again of their favour, whereas a fourth yellow card of the sport for substitute Francisco Gomez Kodela added to Argentina’s activity.
Felipe Contepomi’s males gave the Irish yet another scare on the dying however the Six Nations champions held on close to their very own line to keep away from back-to-back defeats for the primary time since 2021.
© AAP
