Tours & Internationals
Italy edge out Argentina
Scrum.com
June 28, 2008
Report Match details
Date/Time: Jun 28, 2008
Venue: Estadio Olimpico, Cordoba
Argentina 12 - 13 Italy
Attendance: 45000  Half-time: 12 - 3
Pens: Bosch 2, Hernandez 2
Tries: Ghiraldini
Cons: Marcato
Pens: Marcato 2

A last-gasp conversion from Andrea Marcato ensured Italy nothced a dramatic 13-12 victory over Argentina in their clash in Cordoba.

A controversial late try from replacement hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini set up Marcato's match-winning score that gave the visitors their first win over the Pumas since 2005. Fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez gave Argentina an early lead in what proved to be a dour clash with two early penalties but was forced to leave the field with a suspected broken hand midway through the half.

Centre Marcelo Bosch moved into the No.10 spot and subsequently added two further penalties before Italy finally got on the board with a penalty of their own from fullback Marcato. Amidst the flurry of penalties Pumas prop Juan Gomez was sent to the sin-bin for a wild punch that failed to find its target.

Marcato added another penalty ten minutes into the second half to close the gap but the Pumas went close to extending their lead only for Horacio Agulla knocked on in a socring position. Bosch had two further opportunities to cement the Pumas' advantage but failed with the boot and as a result the hosts were made to pay.

As the game drew to a close, Italy pressed for a try and after a series of drives on the Pumas' line they were rewarded when Ghiraldini was judged to have scored - despite protests from the home side. Then up stepped Marcato to slot the pressure kick and spark celebrations amongst the tourists.

Despite the dramatic finale the match was not a great specatacle with the whistle of referee Matt Goddard dominating proceedings - with a total of 30 penalties awarded during the game. The defeat is the second successive loss for the Pumas who also tasted defeat on home soil against Scotland earlier this month.

Victory for Italy, their 5th in 15 meeting with Argentina, is further evidence of the influence of coach Nick Mallett who took charge of the Azzurri following last year's Rugby World Cup.

Argentina (12) 12 Italy (3) 13

Argentina: Pens: Hernandez 2, Bosch 2.

Argentina: Stortoni, Borges, Bosch, Avramovic, Agulla, Hernandez, Vergallo, Roncero, Tejeda, Gomez, Carizza, Lozada, Durand, Galindo, Leguizamon.

Not Used: Gambarini, Ledesma, Stuart, Campos, Lalanne, Aramburu, Senillosa.

Yellow Card: J. Gomez (39 mins)

Italy: Tries: Canavosio. Cons: Marcato. Pens: Marcato 2.

Italy: Marcato, Robertson, M. Bergamasco, Garcia, Pratichetti, McLean, Picone, Rouyet, Ongaro, Nieto, Dellape, Del Fava, Sole, M. Bergamasco, Parisse.

Not Used: Ghiraldini, Moreno, Reato, Zanni, Canavosio, Patrizio.

Ref: M Goddard (Australia).

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