Argentina edged Italy 22-14 this past Saturday for its first win since June, and earned a return to the top four in the world rugby rankings.
The end of the Pumas’ four-match losing streak at Turin, combined with England’s 28-14 loss to Australia in London, gives them a chance to secure their top-four position next weekend by beating Ireland at Dublin in their tour finale.
The top four at the end of the month will lead the seedings for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
Argentina needed a moment of brilliance from flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez to shrug off Italy and repay a 13-12 defeat to the Azzurri at Cordoba in June.
“Argentina didn’t show a lot of skill, but we gave too much space to Hernandez and that try decided the match,” Italy captain Sergio Parisse said.
“We are very disappointed,” Parisse added.
“We were too indisciplined, and some errors at the end of the first half allowed our opponents to take the lead. We played too much in our half and it’s difficult to win from there.”
Italy, which also lost to Australia last weekend, rounds off its autumn series against the Pacific Islanders this weekend.
In other matches taking place, New Zealand take on Wales, Australia travel to France, and South Africa go up against England. Get yourself a free bet over at Betfair and stand a chance to win big. Checkout all the info
here now
.
Time:
02:48
Sign In