Argentina vs Italy Preview
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Argentina and Italy will be primed for a big one off test at the Estadio Olimpico in Argentina. Italian coach Nick Mallett has recalled three stars from Stade Francois who were unavailable due to team commitments last weekend. Star Sergio Parisse will return and captain the side that lost to South Africa 26-0 in a brave performance last week. He is joined by teammates Mirco and Mauro Bergamasco who will give the Italian side more experience and impact. Luke McLean has retained his spot after a strong performance against the Springboks.
Argentina have also been strengthened by the addition of their stars from Stade Francois and Biarritz who both lost their semi final matches last weekend. Argentina have dropped a number of players from their shock loss to Scotland 26-14 at home. Gonzalo Tiesi, captain Felipe Contempomi, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Santiago Gonzales Bonorino, Marcos Ayerza and Federico Serra have all been dropped from the side that lost 26-14 to Scotland last week
Argentina should be too strong in front of their home crowd and with a number of stars back they should have to much firepower. Argentina by 12.
Argentina
Horacio Agulla, Miguel Avramovic, Lucas Borges, Marcelo Bosch, Alejandro Tomas Campos, Manuel Carizza, Martin Durant, Pablo Gambarini, Alvaro Galindo, Juan Francisco Gomez, Juan Martin Hernandez, Alfredo Lalanne, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pedro Ledesma, Esteban Lozada, Federico Aramburu, Rodrigo Roncero, James Stuart, Bernardo Stortoni, Hernan Senillosa, Alvaro Tejeda, Nicolas Vergallo.
Italy
Andrea Marcato, Kaine Robertson, Mirco Bergamasco, Gonzalo Garcia, Matteo Pratichetti, Luke McLean, Simon Picone, Sergio Parisse, Mauro Bergamasco, Josh Sole, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Santiago Dellape, Carlos Nieto, Fabio Ongaro, Ignacio Rouyet.
Reserves: Leonardo Ghiraldini, Alex Moreno, Tommaso Reato, Alessandro Zanni, Pablo Canavosio, Enrico Patrizio, Riccardo Pavan/Jaco Erasmus.
IRB World Rankings
The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced the latest rankings of all Rugby playing nations on 16 June 2008.
The only movement within the top 10 from last week is Scotland moving up one place after their surprise victory against Argentina and Fiji dropping back one spot as a result of the Scottish win. Among other major top 20 nations Samoa has moved from 13th to 12th spot and Japan from 16th to 15th after recent performances in the Pacific Nations Cup.
The top 10 are;
South Africa
New Zealand
Argentina
Australia
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Scotland
Fiji
A full list can be viewed at the Official IRB Rugby site.
Scotland 26 Argentina 14
Scotland had a successful end to their series against Argentina with an inspired performance that shocked the home side and left Scotland some positive signs for the future.
Scotland took the early lead with a penalty to Chris Paterson who was playing in his Scottish record 88th test appearance. This was soon extended further when Paterson slotted another penalty to give the away team a 6-0 lead. Scotland extended the lead further through a key turnover of the Pumas ball and Mike Ford capitalised with a try. Paterson converted once again and soon after converted a penalty for a 16-0 lead at half time.
Argentina had a chance to get on the board after 4 minutes into the second half with a penalty but Todeschini missed his second chance at goal. Paterson converted another penalty in the 52nd minute to give the Scots a 19-0 lead. The game was virtually gone by this stage but was not helped by some silly play by the Pumas captain Contemponi who went on with a spat with Euan Murray which had them both sent to the bin. The new Puma side was reverting back to their old self and were clearly faltering under pressure but as all seemed lost they produced a good try through Lobbe to bring the score back to 19-7. It could have soon been 19-14 but Paterson produced a last ditch effort to stop Agulla scoring.
In the 72nd minute an intercept by substitute Dan Parks led to a precision pass Graeme Morrison to score and after Paterson’s conversion it was 26-7. A late consolation try to Agulla reduced the loss to 12 but Scotland can be proud of their effort.
It was Scotland’s first win in 18 years against the Pumas and their first against a team in the southern hemisphere in 26 years. Argentina will be bitterly disappointed to have lost their composure and the 46,000 home fans in Bueonoa Aires will be looking for better things to come from the Pumas.
Scotland 26
Tries: Ross Ford, Graeme Morrison
Goals: Paterson 4 penalties, 2 conversions
Argentina 14
Tries: Fernandez Lobbe, Horacio Agullo
Goals: Federico Todeschini 2 conversiona
Argentina vs Scotland Profile
Argentina will be keen to make it two out of two against Scotland on Saturday in Buenos Aires. The Argentinians are showing they were no one World Cup wonders and on the strength of their performance in the first test they are likely to improve further.
Argentina now believe in themselves, whereas once they were a tough and uncompromising side up front but weak with scoring options on the backs they now have an impressive forward pack and equally impressive backline. Argentina should be too strong for a Scotland team that is still looking to get back on track. Scotland need to have a game breaker or two and this is lacking in their game, they have a solid team but no player is remarkable or a world beater at this stage. But the signs for the future of Scottish rugby are improving and this series in an important next step after the 2008 Six Nations. Argentina by 12.
Argentina: Bernardo Stortoni, Lucas Borges, Gonzalo Tiesi, Felipe Contepomi, Horacio Agulla, Federico Todeschini, Nicolas Vergallo, Manuel Leguizamon, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Martin Durand, Esteban Lozada, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Santiago Gonzalez Bonorino, Alvaro Tejeda, Marcos Ayerza.
Reserves: Pablo Gambarini, Juan Gomez, James Stuart, Alvaro Galindo, Alfredo Lalanne, Federico Aramburu, Federico Serra.
Scotland: Hugo Southwell, Chris Paterson, Ben Cairns, Graeme Morrison, Simon Webster, Phil Godman, Mike Blair, Allister Hogg, John Barclay, Alasdair Strokosch, Scott MacLeod, Matt Mustchin, Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen.
Reserves: Dougie Hall, Alasdair Dickinson, Alastair Kellock, Kelly Brown, Rory Lawson, Dan Parks, Nick De Luca.
IRB World Rankings
The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced the latest rankings of all Rugby playing nations on 9 June 2008.
The Top 10 are pretty much as expected and will depending on results in the current rugby season show some movements. South Africa are still ranked No. 1 after winning the 2007 World Cup. New Zealand are ranked No. 2 and will be keen to win the Tri-Nations to return to the No. 1 spot they have held for many years but failed to deliver at World Cup level. Argentina have pipped Australia for the third spot after a sensational World Cup campaign that surprised the rugby world. Australia will also been keen for a strong Tri-Nations to move back up the world rankings.
The top 10 are;
South Africa
New Zealand
Argentina
Australia
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Fiji
Scotland
A full list can be viewed at the Official IRB Rugby site.
Argentina 21 - Scotland 15
Argentina were dominant in their 21-15 victory against Scotland scoring a two tries to nil victory. Scotland lead early though a Paterson penalty goal but Argentina lead at half time 10-9 after a try to Tejeda and a successful conversion helped Argentina to a narrow half time lead.
The second half again provided Scotland with a chance to take the lead and Paterson did not disappoint taking the penalty goal. It was not till the second try to Argentina through their centre Tiesi that Argentina were able to cement a decent lead which they were successful in maintaining a match winning lead till the full time whistle sounded.
Scotland will have another chance to beat Argentina in the second test match but will have to improve from this performance and show more attacking flair to be a chance.
Argentina 21
Tries: Tejeda, Tiesi
Goals: Todeschini, 3 penalties, 1 conversion
Scotland 15
Goals: Paterson, 5 penalties
Argentina vs Scotland - Preview
Argentina will be keen to show they are no one trick pony after a fantastic performance at the 2007 World Cup in France. Argentina are a side that are no longer a tough opponent who generally are overpowered by the better playing rugby nations.
Argentina can now lay claim to some serious firepower in the backs and a tough set of forwards that would match most teams. It is for these reasons that Scotland will be up against it in Argentina when they take on the home side. Scotland have not beaten Argentina in the last eight test matches between the nations and with Argentina at home I think Scotland will struggle to deliver enough spark to conquer the Argentines.
Contepomi can be expected to lead his side well while Dan Parks and Mike Blair will need to find something special for the Scots to surprise a team that will have a massive home ground support in Rosario. Argentina by 13 in what should be a free flowing game of Rugby.
Scotland: Chris Paterson, Simon Danielli, Ben Cairns, Graeme Morrison, Thom Evans, Dan Parks, Mike Blair (c), Allister Hogg, Johnnie Beattie, Alasdair Strokosch, Scott MacLeod, Matt Mustchin, Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: Dougie Hall, Allister Dickinson, Alastair Kellock, Kelly Brown, Rory Lawson, Phil Godman, Simon Webster.
Argentina: Bernardo Stortoni, José María Núñez Piossek, Gonzalo Tiesi, Felipe Contepomi (c), Tomás De Vedia, Federico Todeschini, Nicolás Vergallo, Juan Manuel Leguizamón, Juan Fernández Lobbe, Martín Durand, Esteban Lozada, Ignacio Fernández Lobbe, Santiago González Bonorino, Álvaro Tejeda, Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: Pablo Gambarini, Juan Gómez, James Stuart, Alejandro Campos, Alfredo Lalanne, Santiago Fernández, Hernán Senillosa.