Ireland defy odds to pulverise Pumas

Ireland 42 Argentina 20

The victory over the fifth ranked Pumas at Stade Louis Darragon has earned Ireland a place in Sunday’s fifth place play-off against England, who defeated Wales 13-11 last night.

Ireland opened this contest as they had eight days previously in Cournon and assumed a 10-point lead inside 13 minutes thanks to a quick start that caught the Pumas napping once again.

Outhalf Kieran Hallet set up the game’s opening score inside 90 seconds. Having won decent ruck ball on the left, Hallet set up Tom Gleeson who, in turn, delivered an inside pass to fellow centre Fergus McFadden who crossed unopposed.

Hallet converted and added a penalty in the 13th minute before the Pumas, as they had in last week’s pool game, found their feet and applied significant pressure around the fringes.

This time, however, Ireland were wise to the mode of attack and with flankers Michael Essex and David Pollock outstanding, Mark McDermott’s side were able to keep them at bay until three minutes before half time when the unreliable Santiago Fernandez found his range for the first time in the game to cut the deficit to seven points.

Hallet restored his side’s 10-point advantage with a penalty a minute before the interval but when they knocked-on from a tapped penalty on their own 22 three minutes after the break, Ireland wheeled the scrum, broke left and then sent in lock Benjamin Macome for a try Fernandez failed to convert.

It could have been the signal for all-out attack from the young Pumas.

Instead, spurred on by their own growing self belief, Ireland struck within three minutes when a ricochet off an Argentine hand landed in the grateful hands of hooker Sean Cronin who dived in for a try which Hallet again improved.

A third penalty for the Bedford Blues youngster increased the lead to 23-8, but Argentina provided significant indication that they were finished when captain and scrum half

Francisco Albarracin popped up and crossed for a converted try.

Once again, however, Ireland responded — this time it was Hallet who rolled out of a tackle five metres short to reach out and score a crucial try that he failed to convert.

Ireland were certainly not going to give up this opportunity further tries from Hallet and replacement hooker Stuart Philpott made sure of a thoroughly deserved victory.

France will play South Africa in the final. The French defeated Australia 32-17 while South Africa saw off New Zealand 40-23 in the other semi.

IRELAND: F Carr; I Hanly, T Gleeson, F McFadden, M Williams, K Hallett, M D’Arcy; D Hurley (C Black 70mins), S Cronin (S Philpott 70mins), D Ryan, D McGowan, D Toner, M Essex (D Laffan 70mins), D Pollock (capt), S O’Brien

ARGENTINA: G Sarasqueta; F Amelong, B Urdapilleta, M Fernadez Gill (G Feijoo 77), F Meyrelles; S Fernandez (A Figuerola 76), F Albarracin (capt); L Francisco Piccinini (F Gomez Kodela 47), M Cortese, P Ledesma (J Avila 52), B Macome (F Angelinetti 54), A Smidth, A Creevy (N Bruzzone 64), J Manuel Roan, J Brinnand

Referee: T Hirabayashi (Japan).