Italy 18-50 Argentina – Pumas lower free to safe spectacular Autumn Nations Sequence win – Eurosport

Rampant Argentina opened their Autumn Nations Sequence marketing campaign with a commanding 50-18 win over Italy in Udine to increase their profitable run towards the Azzurri to 9 video games.

Fly-half Tomas Albornoz, who performs his membership rugby in Italy at Benetton, scored 20 factors to steer the Pumas to their biggest-ever victory within the fixture because the guests let free within the second half.

It was a powerful begin to the Autumn Sequence for the Pumas, who’ve journeys to Eire and France to come back, whereas the Azzurri host Georgia subsequent earlier than taking up New Zealand in Turin.

An early damage to Ange Capuozzo put Italy on the again foot, and the Pumas capitalised with two tries as Juan Cruz Mallia scooped up a free ball to run within the first from his personal half earlier than Gonzalo Bertranou dotted down the second within the nook.

However Italy battled again in a scrappy encounter with a penalty attempt from a driving maul and Tommaso Allan’s penalty made it a one-score recreation on the break, even when the hosts had been left pissed off that Mirco Spagnolo’s attempt was dominated out.

One other Allan kick diminished the deficit to 4 factors early within the second half to boost residence hopes of a comeback, however they had been quickly extinguished because the Pumas raced clear.

Joel Sclavi, Santiago Cordero, Matias Alemanno and Bautista Delguy ran in tries for the guests within the second half, with Giacomo Nicotera’s effort Italy’s solely response on an evening head coach Gonzalo Quesada will need to overlook towards his native nation.

After a massively encouraging first yr in cost for Italy head coach Quesada, a conflict along with his native nation supplied a stark and sobering return to actuality.

Italy’s excellent 2024 Six Nations marketing campaign, the place they beat Scotland and Wales and held France to a draw, was extensively seen as proof that this younger staff was lastly able to ship the outcomes its potential had lengthy promised.

However this hammering in Udine was extra just like the dangerous previous days, because the Azzurri failed to search out any rhythm in assault and confirmed an absence of self-discipline and defensive form. The stress will likely be on to show issues round towards Georgia convincingly, and restore perception that they will land some punches when the All Blacks go to on the finish of the month.

The Benetton fly-half checked out residence as he put his adopted nation to the sword with regular kicking from the tee, an outstanding burst underneath the posts for his try to some slick passing as he ended the night time with 20 factors.

Italy: Capuozzo 6, Lynagh 5, Brex 6, Menoncello 6, Ioane 6, P. Garbisi 6, Web page-Relo 5; Spagnolo 6, Lucchesi 7, Riccioni 6, N. Cannone 6, Ruzza 6, Negri 6, Lamaro 6, L. Cannone 5

Replacements: Nicotera 7, Fischetti 6, Ferrari 6, Lamb 6, Zuliani 6, A. Garbisi 6, Allan 7, Zanon 6

Argentina: Mallia 8, Isgro 8, Cinti 8, Orlando 7, Delguy 7, Albornoz 9, Bertranou 8; Gallo 7, Montoya 7, Sclavi 8, Molina 7, Rubiolo 7, Gonzalez 6, Grondona 7, Oviedo 7

Replacements: Ruiz 6, Calles 6, Kodela 6, Alemanno 7, Pedemonte 6, Garcia 6, Moroni 6, Cordero 8

12’ TRY – ITALY 0-10 ARGENTINA (MALLIA, CON. ALBORNOZ)

Intestine-wrenching stuff for Italy! Simply as they’re launching one in every of their most promising assaults of the sport, Ruzza fails to catch a move out large and Mallia scoops it up earlier than sprinting all the way in which down the touchline from his personal 22-metre line, stepping Lynagh on the finish for good measure.

34’ TRY! ITALY 7-17 ARGENTINA (PENALTY TRY)

This time the lineout sticks, and the maul types…and a penalty attempt is awarded because it comes down! Carley’s arm goes into the air and there will likely be a yellow card for Gonzalez in addition. The Azzurri are again in it! All because of that Lucchesi turnover.

58’ TRY! ITALY 13-31 ARGENTINA (ALBORNOZ, CON. ALBORNOZ)

Argentina hit Italy on the counter-attack direct from that free ball as Lynagh fails to assemble a excessive ball. It is all a bit scrappy because the ball bounces round, however Albornoz finishes it beautifully by bursting underneath the posts earlier than getting up so as to add the conversion.

67’ TRY! ITALY 13-36 ARGENTINA (CORDERO)

Argentina are residence and dry! Very good end from Cordero the substitute, who places on the afterburners on the wing to step previous two defenders and dive over the road. For the primary time tonight, Albornoz fails to nail the conversion.

79’ TRY! ITALY 18-50 ARGENTINA (DELGUY, CON. ALBORNOZ)

It is 50! Argentina have run rampant on this second half and Delguy finishes with a flourish, ending a flowing staff transfer to finish a powerful victory.