Sun 25 Sep 2011 | 12:56
Lucas Amorosino late try sets up famous win for Argentina over Scotland

10
Comments

Argentina came from behind to beat Scotland in the driving rain of Wellington. Scotland seemingly had the game in control, but a brilliant solo effort from Lucas Amorosino caught them off guard before Felipe Contepomi converted for a 13-12 win.

Dan Parks came on as a late replacement for Scotland and did just as required, as he steered them into a winning position with a well taken snap drop to extend their lead to 12-6. You'd be forgiven for thinking it was all over after that, but a converted Amorosino try from the restart gave Argentina the win.

Parks attempted to repeat his drop goal heroics but failed to connect properly after being pushed onto his left foot by the pressure of the opposition defence. Contepomi, now 34 years old, proved to be invaluable to his side once again, as he toyed with the offside line while Wayne Barnes appeared to be looking elsewhere.

Scotland Coach Andy Robinson described the try his side conceded as 'thirty seconds of madness'.

"We lost a game of rugby. We got to 12-6 and I felt like we were in control of the game. The reason we lost the game was a lapse of concentration. Thirty seconds of madness has really cost us.

"We've got to take our hats off to Argentina to be able to find a way to win the game in the second half. I think in the second half they were outplayed, but they managed to find an answer. It's about being able to finish teams off. We're playing in the best tournament in the world.

"You've got to be able to finish sides like Argentina off. To score a try the way they did, it was Argentina that wanted to win. They took their chance well and won the game. They had to find some answers and they did," said Robinson, whose team will now face England in a crucial clash next week.

You can view the Parks drop and Amorosino try below, and full match highlights on the RWC site.

10 Comments

  • juggernauter
    5:57 PM 26/09/2011

    Anyway, Scotland can't hope to win big matches if they keep spoling good scoring chances several times a game. There finishing ability comes down to what Max Evans can do, and they really need to prove their worth against England if they are to make a statement at this World Cup.

    The fact that they won narrowly against both Romania and Georgia could prove costly now - given that Argentina and England scored heavy victories against Romania and that Argenitna is likely to beat Georgia.

    Ah, if only Joe Ansbro knew how to pass the ball...

  • juggernauter
    5:46 PM 26/09/2011

    He was way down the pecking order at fullback (behind Hamilton and Murphy) and on the wings (behind Agulla, Smith, Alesana Tuilagi and now Tait and Morris).

    He got his chance while most international players were away in international windows, and showed good stuff on attack, but his defencewas alway source of scare and Leicester have a reputation to keep a stron XV with experienced players like Murphy, A Tuilagi and Smith, and after a bit he knew he wasn't gonna play. Heck, even one hell of aplyer like Agulla is has had to fight his way into the team.

  • natural7
    4:01 PM 26/09/2011

    To be fair on Wayne barnes he was in the right position to be refereeing the ruck, lines men missed the offside in my opinion

  • moddeur
    9:53 AM 26/09/2011

    I completely agree here, I've never seen a competition in which line judges are so absent. In the Top14, HC and Super15, which are the competitions I follow, you often see line judges raising their flag for a lot of various reasons ... but in this world cup they seem to be busy looking at the side line.

  • juggernauter
    11:43 PM 25/09/2011

    This was a bloody massive game of ugly, strong, raw rugby. I think Scotland should have won it, they had control of the ball and were the ones who played and offered something else than Agentina, who were just suck tackling.

    It's a shame that Wayne Barnes had a lack of balls to award the penalty in Dan Park's failed attempt at goal as all the argentinian backs were off side (even Contepomi admitted it). I mean, what's the point with touch judges and assistants? So far all they've done this WC has been awarding an unexisting penalty to France against Canada. They're supposed to help the ref!

    Anyway, hope that Scotland tea it up against England!

  • moddeur
    9:08 PM 25/09/2011

    You can tell that Wayne Barnes is a nice guy, he just didn't have it in him to blow his whistle for a penalty in the final 7 minutes of play (for either side). For this reason, and also because he told Lobbe that he could go off for a blood bin, when his knee was only barely scratched on the surface.

  • reality
    8:42 PM 25/09/2011

    One of the best matches of the WC so far. It wasn't full of great running rugby, but the Argentinian defence was amazing, and after losing to England when they were by far the better team in my opinion, I'm very happy to see them get this win and make it to the quarters.

    I felt Morrisson was very lucky not to be carded. He put it a big off the ball tackle on Contepomi near the end, and I think it was just the fact that Argentina got a try a minute later that made Wayne Barnes just forget about carding the guy, cos Argentina had gotten enough advantage or whatever.

  • katman
    8:27 PM 25/09/2011

    Well done Pumas. Great determination. Wayne Barnes was rubbish though.

  • buzzkillington
    7:16 PM 25/09/2011

    Another good display from the minnows. Well done Scotland, you've exceeded all expectations this year.

  • chairmanrice
    4:12 PM 25/09/2011

    my heart nearly stopped when i saw this