Ireland just one up at half-time

Half-time: Argentina 9, Ireland 10

Argentina dominated the opening quarter but it was Ireland who scored the opening try to lead 7-3.

The opening seconds brought some early kicking action, with Ireland finishing inside Argentinian territory with a good punt from Humphreys.

Ireland conceded the first penalty when Malcolm O’Kelly was stung for pulling down a maul.

The Pumas then built some pressure on the Irish line before Pichot chipped over and winger Shane Horgan covered the kick in the corner.

The first test of Ireland full-back came in the fourth minute when Quesada put up a bomb, but the Leinsterman dealt with it well to win the mark despite the strong challenge from Felipe Contepomi.

The first scoring action came when Quesada kicked a penalty from a central position after the Irish were caught not releasing in the tackle.

But Ireland lifted themselves, surging at the Argentinian line, with kicks from first Humphreys then O’Driscoll pinning their opponents into their own territory.

But a superb piece of defensive rucking enabled the Pumas to relieve that pressure.

With both sides evenly matched few scoring opportunities presented themselves, with kicking dominating much of the contest for territorial control.

Denis Hickie was lucky not to be punished when a poor cross-field kick opened Ireland up to a counter-attack, but it was knocked on.

But Quinlan produced a wonderful finishing when he appeared on the shoulder of Keith Wood after the hooker burst through the defence to get the first try.

Humphreys’ conversion mad it 7-3 but Quinlan was taken off with an arm injury sustained in scoring.

A trade of kicks took it up to 9-10 to Ireland at half-time.