Fiji demolition not enough for Los Pumitas to qualify

By BEN JAYCOCK

Argentina……..52

Fiji…………………. 12

ARGENTINA boosted their slim hopes of a semi-final berth with a eight-try demolition job on Fiji – but Los Pumitas were left to rue their opening day loss to England as France secured the best runners-up spot to make the final four.

With running rugby conditions limited, Argentina opted for the kicking game to get them into the game as full-back Benjamin Elizalde performed a 50:22. Los Pumitas went to one of their strengths, the driving maul, which proved too strong for Fiji as Argentina scored their first points of the match with hooker Juan Manuel Vivas dotting down.

Despite the heavy pitch, Argentina showed some of their attacking intent as they collected a second try before the 10-minute mark through Felipe Ledesma. Fiji's job was made tougher on 14 minutes when winger Aisea Nawai looked for an intercept that wasn't there and was given a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.

Los Pumitas' forwards were proving far too much for the inexperienced Fijian pack as they set up another maul inside the 22 before breaking away and freeing the backline, with winger Ledesma scoring his brace.

A neat chip into the 22 from winger Waisake Salabiua was ended illegally by Los Pumitas scrum-half Podesta, and suddenly Argentina were down to 14.

It took until the final play of the opening 40 minutes for Fiji to score their first points as Ponipate Tuberi dived over.

Another breathtaking maul driven from 25 metres was scored by Juan Greising Revol and another onslaught from Los Pumitas ended in a try for Podesta, while Fiji also lost Tuidraki to the bin for an offside tackle.

Argentina's power was again causing Fiji all sorts of problems, and their penalty count continued to rise as the South Americans camped themselves in the Fiji half.

With Argentina's scrum showing continuous dominance, they were soon rewarded with a penalty try.

Argentina then added try number seven with Greising Revol scoring.

With the game entering the final 10 minutes, winger Nawai showed some typical Fijian spirit with a well-taken solo try.

Los Pumitas ended the game in suitable fashion with another powerful driving maul with Juan Pedro Bernasconi dotting down for their eighth try, while Fiji saw their third yellow as replacement flanker Sakenasa Nalasi was sent to the bin.

REFEREE: Sam Grove White

ATTENDANCE: 110

Star player

Felipe LedesmaArgentina