A 20-point rally in the space of seven minutes edged them ahead of the physical Tonga challenge, before they ran clear late on for their second bonus point win of the competition.
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“We are just dying to get out on the field and get our howling on”.
Racing 92 winger Juan Imhoff extended this lead 15-5 two minutes later and five additional points from the boot of Sanchez helped Daniel Hourcade’s side into a 20-5 lead by the half-hour.
Argentina is fielding a first-time centre pairing of Jeronimo De La Fuente and Matias Moroni, who replace Juan Martin Hernandez and Marcelo Bosch, the starters in the two previous matches against New Zealand and Georgia.
Ultimately, the spectacular running rugby was not enough and, although Tonga dominated possession in the first half, it was their failure to kick their goals that saw them so far adrift and have to resort to risky second-half tactics. We have nothing to lose, Argentina are a tier-one nation.
“For me, Maradona was always the best player in history and it was a very nice surprise to have him visit us”.
The soccer star leapt to his feet with each score, arms flailing and embracing other spectators as the points mounted and Argentina sealed a bonus-point win. “This is going to be our “final” for this World Cup“, said Latu.
Hourcade has brought back his favourite front row of Marcos Ayerza, Agustin Creevy and Ramiro Herrera. The last was the 34-9 defeat by Australia in this year’s southern hemisphere Rugby Championship.
Argentina v Tonga (Kick-off 2.30pm). He told us that all of Argentina was dreaming with us, which is why he was here, why he wanted to be here. “We must impose our game from the first minute and get the ball”.
Tonga were soon behind and chasing the game.
“Against Georgia we had problems in the first half”.
“Let us not forget that Platini said that he was going to separate himself from Federation Internationale de Football Association as part of a strategy and that he was going to give his votes to the Prince”.
“The idea is to play at the same level for 80 minutes”.
Argentina showed through their thrashing of Georgia, who defeated Tonga the week before, that they are a class above the two sides, and should be too strong today.
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It kept the Sea Eagles in touch but they still struggled against the threat of Imhoff and Tuculet and the duo wasted a fine chance for a third try when Tuculet opted to kick for his team-mate and the ball bounced out of play.
