Argentina subdue Fiji in World Cup warm-up

Ireland's World Cup opponents Argentina needed a 19-point haul from out-half Fernandez Miranda to beat Fiji 49-30 yesterday.

Ireland's World Cup opponents Argentina needed a 19-point haul from out-half Fernandez Miranda to beat Fiji 49-30 yesterday.

Martin Scelzo and Rodrigo Roncero chipped in with two tries each for the Pumas as Fernandez Miranda kicked four conversions and two penalties and scored a try of his own.

Flyhalf Nicky Little was Fiji's top-scorer with 13 points from two conversions and three penalties.

Scelzo and Roncero both scored early tries as Argentina took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter of an hour, although Fernandez Miranda missed his first two conversion attempts.

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Fiji fought back to level the scores with a penalty by Little and a Sisa Koyamaibole try converted by the flyhalf. The Pacific islanders went ahead for the only time when Little converted another penalty in the 26th minute.

Argentina replied with two tries in three minutes from Bernardo Stortoni and Scelzo. Fernandez Miranda converted both to put the home side ahead by 24-13.

Fiji reduced the deficit to one point when Aisea Tuilevu scored a try, Little converted and then scored from another penalty before Fernandez Miranda kicked a penalty with the last kick of the first half.

Argentina took control in the second half with further tries from Roncero, Fernandez Miranda and Martin Durand while Fernandez Miranda converted two and scored a penalty. Fiji's only second half score was a converted late try by Sekove Leawere.

Argentina: 15-Bernardo Stortoni; 14-Hernan Senillosa, 13-Manuel Contepomi, 12-Martin Gaitan, 11-Ignacio Corleto; 10-Juan Fernandez Miranda, 9-Matias Albina; 8-Martin Schusterman, 7-Gonzalo Longo, 6- Santiago Phelan (19-Martin Durand); 5-Rimas Alvarez (18-Pedro Spoerleder), 4-Mariano Sambucetti; 3-Martin Scelzo (17-Mauricio Reggiardo), 2-Federico Mendez, 1- Rodrigo Roncero (16-Mario Ledesma).

Fiji: 15-Norman Ligairi; 14-Marika Vunikaba, 13-Aisea Tuilevu, 12-Seru Rabeni, 11-Sekove Leawere; 10-Nick Little (21-Waisale Serevi), 9-Mosese Rauluni; 8-Kitione Salawa, 7-Alivereti Mocelutu (19-Vula Maimuri), 17-Naca Seru), 6-Sisa Koyamaibole; 5-Kele Keawere, 4-Emori Katalau (20-Ifereimi Rawaqa); 3-Joeli Veitayaki, 2-Bill Gadalo (16-Isaia Rasila), 1-Richard Nyholt. Referee: Chris White (England)