Victory in Buenos Aires takes books Argentina's spot in France
Argentina have qualified for the World Cup in France next year after beating Uruguay 26-0 in Buenos Aires.
Worcester Warriors new signing Miguel Avramovic scored the two tries while man-of-the-match Federico Todeschini, who has just joined Top 14 team Montpellier, converted both and added four penalties.
Argentina will now play in a tough-looking World Cup Pool D against France, Ireland, a third European team and the top African qualifier.
Uruguay meanwhile now face Chile on July 22 with the winner advancing to a play-off against either Canada or the United States.
The opening exchanges of the match were scrappy as both sides struggled in the slippery conditions that came as a result of a heavy thunder storm an hour before kick-off.
The rain kept cohesive attacking rugby to a minimum, and although Argentina did try to stretch a brave Uruguay side, it was down to the Pumas forwards to lay the foundations for victory.
While virtually all the first half play was contested inside Uruguay’s half, the visitors proved with some ferocious tackling that they would not be bowled over.
Martin Schusterman was held up over the line in the 31st minute by a magnificent forward effort, and it was left to Todeschini, who was impeccable with the boot in conditions that were not suited to place kicking, to steer Argentina into the lead, kicking three first half penalties to leave the home side with a 9-0 advantage at the interval.
The rain abated in the second half, but the wind in the San Isidro Stadium picked up, adding a new problem to what was already proving a difficult match – a lack of consistent kicking.
The Pumas resorted to endless forward drives, the brave Uruguayans began to tire and Argentina took a vice-like grip on the match when Uruguay captain Rodrigo Capo was sin-binned.
Avramovic scored twice in rapid succession while Todeschini kept the scoreboard ticking over with both conversions and a fourth penalty to seal what was in the end a comfortable victory.
The scorers:
For Argentina:
Tries: Avramovic 2
Cons: Todeschini 2
Pens: Todeschini 4
Yellow cards: Capo (Uruguay, 56, killing the ball)
Argentina: 15 Federico Serra, 14 Rafael Carballo, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Miguel Avramovic, 11 Lucas Borges, 10 Federico Todeschini, 9 Agustín Pichot (captain), 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 7 Martín Schusterman, 6 Martín Durand, 5 Rimas Álvarez, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Martín Scelzo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Pablo Gambarini, 17 Gastón De Robertis, 18 Pablo Bouza, 19 Agustín Creevy, 20 Nicolás Vergallo, 21 Juan de la Cruz Fernández Miranda, 22 Horacio Agulla.
Uruguay: 15 Juan Menchaca, 14 Francisco Bulanti, 13 Juan Manuel Llovet, 12 Diego Aguirre, 11 Juan Labat, 10 Matías Arocena, 9 Juan Campomar, 8 Rodrigo Capo (capitán), 7 Alfredo Giuria, 6 Rafael Álvarez, 5 Juan Miguel Álvarez, 4 Juan Alzueta, 3 Guillermo Storace, 2 Juan Andrés Pérez, 1 Diego Lamelas.
Replacements: 16 Federico Capo, 17 Nicolás Klappembach, 18 Rodrigo Sánchez, 19 Ignacio Conti, 20 Nicolás Grille, 21 Sebastián Aguirre, 22 y Gustavo Voituret
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
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