Despite being down 22-6 at half-time Uruguay scored two second half tries along with three penalties to come within a whisker of beating Argentina for the first time in 27 attempts. But in the end Argentina prevailed 32-27 with a four-try effort giving them a 1-0 record in the opening round of the Pan American championships in Canada.
It appeared that Argentina would have an easy day as they jumped to a quick 19-0 lead on tries from number 8 Hugo Dande, and a wonderful 35 metre scamper from wing Jose Maria Nunez Piossek. Flyhalf Felipe Contepomi provided two conversions, before centre Jose Orengo found a gap to go 35 metres for an uncoverted try.
It was the Teros who came to play in the second half, showing early attacks and thoughtful running that began to hem Argentina in it's half.
Menchaca added two more penalties to cut the lead to 22-12 and Uruguay began to realise there was momentum they could build on.
Argentina then got a try from wing Facundo Soler, which Contepomi converted for a 29-12 lead.
Menchaca got his fifth penalty of the day and then substitute Pablo Pagani found some space before releasing wing Emiliano Ibarra for a long try. Menchaca converted and Uruguay began to feel they had a chance for the upset with the score narrowing to 29-22.
Contepomi slotted a 25 metre penalty kick, the result of a Uruguyan offside to make the score 32-22.
The Teros then began impressive passages that took them onto the Pumas doorstep. Uruguayan scrumhalf Martin Mendaro then took advantage of a ruck from five metres out to scoot in for their second try of the half. Menchaca had his first miss of the day on the conversion attempt and his team was within a try of tying the match 32-27.
Argentina managed to relieve some late pressure and with the clock ticking over for fulltime, Uruguay missed the chance of a lifetime to get their first ever win over their South American neighbours.
Uruguayan coach Daniel Herrera was estatic with the result, and at the same time a bit morose that they had come so close without getting the win.
"I am very pleased but when you have this opportunity, after the game I am quite sad," said the emotional coach. "For the way we played in the second half we could have won. I think that we had lots of lost opportunities."
Coach for Argentina Marcelo Lofferda was disappointed with the way his team let up in the second half, and thinks there are some things they will have to change over the next week.
"We had some good play in the first half but then we had problems with the scrums and the players were getting loose. When the score got close Uruguay showed a big heart and pride in their jersey and fought hard," said Lofferda.
Argentina now take on the USA on Wednesday in Hamilton, Ontario, while Uruguay will play Canada in the second half of a double header.
The Teams:
Argentina: 1 Leopoldo De Chazal, 2 Juan Jose Villar, 3 Santiago Gonzalez Bonorino, 4 Gustavo Morlaes Oliver, 5 Leonardo Roldan, 6 Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 7 Rolando Martin, 8 Hugo Dande, 9 Agustin Pichot (c), 10 Felipe Contepomi, 11 Jose Nunez Piosseck, 12 Jose Orengo, 13 Eduardo Simone, 14 Facundo Soler, 15 Bernardo Stortoni
Reserves: Matias Albina, Martin Durand, Juan Fernandez Miranda, Francisco Leonelli, Mariano Sambucetti
Referee: Mr. Ian Hyde-Lay (Canada)
Touch Judges: Al Klemp (USA), Josy Ferraro Canada
Points Scorers:
Argentina
Tries: Dande H. 1, Nunez Piosseck J.M. 1, Orengo J. 1, Soler F. 1
Conv: Contepomi F. 3
Pen K.: Contepomi F. 2
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