After a disappointing and somewhat laboured display against the All Blacks last weekend, Ireland were back with a broken exhaust-style bang this evening, defeating Argentina 22-19 at the Aviva Stadium.
Sometimes world beaters, sometimes beaten by the world, the exhaustively perpendicular Argentinians were at the races this evening, but, sadly never leading them.
This mild weather in Dublin did not mirror the buzzing atmosphere nor the electric displays on the field, as both sides instead chose to showcase their burning hot best as well as their drenched worst. The intensity and importance of the match was clear, as the air sizzled with sharp whistles and excited chatter amidst the bandstand of drums and regular flames emitting from the former Landsdown Road turf.
The opening sequence of phases left very little to the imagination. It was fast, dangerously ferocious, and filled with footwork that made the audience feel dizzy. Two early charge downs in the visitor’s 22 appeared to indicate what would become a dominant Irish display over an unorganised Argentinian side. This initial assessment was undermined within mere moments. An impressive Argentina breakaway changed the tune of the occasion, with the visitors sliding over for an unexpected opening try.
Breathless start! 🔥
Jack Crowley darts his way through the Argentinian defence to score the opener! 🎯#AutumnNationsSeries | #IREvARG pic.twitter.com/iH183pWnLo
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 15, 2024
The deathly quiet Aviva Stadium remained mute for only a short period, however, when a high tackle in the build-up was shown on the big screen, threatening to wipe the score off the board. The try scorer Moroni was shortly issued a yellow card instead of a try after the footage showed an illegal hit on Jack Crowley.
🟨 to Matias Moroni for this head on head contact #IREvARG pic.twitter.com/WM6oKHyumJ
— Steve Lenthall (@steve_l15) November 15, 2024
Smarting from the Argentina breakaway, Ireland looked to take advantage of this slice of luck, charging over the line through number ten, Jack Crowley, effectively taking the previous Argentinian points as their own. Not allowing themselves to relinquish the intensity, the Irish quickly accepted the pat on the back and moved on to add more, this time through Mack Hansen, collecting the ball on an inside line from close range.
Three penalties from Argentina helped them back into the game, but the impressive Crowley dropped a goal to keep the scoreboard ticking over. An Ireland try through McCarthy in the 31st minute would provide the all-important gap as their intensity paid dividends.
Jack Crowley 🎯😍#IREvARG #SUAF ☘️
ADVERTISEMENT— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 15, 2024
Following a stage of elongated pressure by the visitors, Ireland turned the ball over to end the visitor’s charge at halftime. The cheers as Crowley booted the ball high above the ALDI-sponsored corner tunnel was a clear indication of just how different the men in green’s approach had been during the first half compared to their last outing. Heading into halftime 13 points to the good, Ireland were looking strong.
For anyone who thought the second half would be all green, the blue and white of Argentina added their own paintbrush to the mix, with Juan Cruz Mallia dancing through the flailing Irish defence to dive under the Irish posts just five minutes into the half.
Cracks had started to appear in the Irish unit, with try-scorer McCarthy making his own way to the bench, Mack Hansen throwing an ostentatious floated pass straight into touch and Jack Crowley losing his side 20 metres after tackling a player in the air – all within ten minutes.
𝐘𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝! 🟨
Joe McCarthy sent to the bin. Too many penalties from Ireland.#IREvARG | #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/fmseITcnSW
ADVERTISEMENT— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 15, 2024
13 penalties were conceded, by Ireland all in all, a serious point of reflection as other sides would have taken advantage of this and put the game out of Ireland’s reach. Despite the self-sabotage, and not scoring not a single point in the second half despite cheers of ‘Ireland Ireland Ireland’ from the ever so slightly nervous crowd, the home side managed to hold on for a narrow victory.
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