Rugby

Rugby World Cup: Argentina blitz Tonga in first win

Two early tries from hooker Julian Montoya got the Pumas off to a lightning start

Julian Montoya of Argentina celebrates scoring his side’s first try during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group C clash with Tonga. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

Sat Sep 28 2019 - 08:27

Argentina 28 Tonga 12

Argentina bounced back from their opening-round defeat to France with a 28-12 victory over Tonga in Osaka.

Two early tries from hooker Julian Montoya, both converted by Benjamin Urdapilleta, put the Pumas 14-0 in front after 18 minutes of the Pool C clash.

Full Match Stats

Argentina were gifted a third try shortly afterwards as Tonga failed to pick up a loose ball and centre Santiago Carreras raced clear for his first try for his country. Urdapilleta had a simple conversion underneath the posts.

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The TMO ruled Urdapilleta came up short of the line after 24 minutes, but Montoya ploughed over to complete his hat-trick moments later, earning Argentina a bonus point as they made it 28-0.

Tonga got on the board before the break as Leicester Tigers winger Telusa Veainu broke through following some patient build-up play and Sonatane Takulua converted.

David Halaifonua was denied a second try by the TMO before the break as Tonga went in 28-7 down.

The second half was a much tighter affair, with superb defence from Takulua preventing Tomas Cubelli from scrambling over a fifth try.

Tonga scored the only try of the second half, with Veainu going over again after great strength from Cooper Vuna. Takulua’s conversion made it 28-12, and that was how it stayed.

Scorers – Argentina: Tries: Montoya 3, Carreras. Cons: Urdapilleta 4. Tonga: Tries: Veainu 2. Cons: Takulua.

Argentina: Boffelli; Moroni, Orlando, de la Fuente, Carreras; Urdapilleta, Cubelli; Tetaz Chaparro, Montoya, Figallo; Petti, Lavanini; Matera, Kremer, Lezana.

Replacements: Sanchez for Urdapilleta (54), Vivas for Tetaz Chaparro (44), Creevy for Montoya (44), Medrano for Figallo (44), Alemanno for Lavanini (54), Ortega Desio for Matera (44).

Tonga: Veainu; Lolohea, Hingano, Piutau, Halaifonua; Faiva, Takulua; Fisiihoi, Ngauamo, Tameifuna; Lousi, L. Fifita; Kalamafoni, Kapeli, Vaipulu.

Replacements: Vuna for Lolohea (42), Fukofuka for Takulua (65), Sakalia for Ngauamo (52), Fia for Tameifuna (41), Lokotui for Kapeli (52).

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