Emiliano Boffelli was the game-changer as Argentina survived to beat Samoa and reignite their World Cup campaign. To progress into the knockout stages, they needed to beat Samoa to keep their hopes alive.
They did win attritional 19-10 in Saint-Etienne, with Boffelli delivering his team’s first 16 points. All the pre-match pressure got eased when Samoa’s Duncan Paia’aua was sent to the sin bin in the opening minute of the match.
His absence made a huge impact on the game, and Argentina took advantage of it. Boffelli hit the front, going over the corner before conversion or converting the try.
Pumas was underwhelmed by victory.
Edinburgh wing scored successful penalties, followed by a Christian Leal’ifano penalty getting on board with the first half.
Samao’s defense started getting stronger in the latter stages as they pushed to get back into the game, and Sama’s try was converted by Alai D’Angelo Leuila.
However, Argentina, who finished fourth at the 2015 World Cup, failed to get out of the pool stage in Japan four years ago, held on and wrapped up the win through Nicolás Sánchez’s long penalty.
The loss to England presented the possibility of an early exit, but securing the points gives us hope of still continuing and getting to face South American rivals Chile in Nantes.
Samoa, on the other needs to get results against both Japan and England if they want to come back and begin their winning start against Chile.
‘The better team won’ – what they said.
Argentina’s player of the match, Emiliano Boffelli, said: “We knew it wouldn’t be easy. Samoa are a strong team. It was a very important win today.”
“It was a very tough game. I am happy for the team. Thanks a lot to everyone. The supporters were incredible. We felt their support.”
Samao’s captain, Chris Vui, said: “Extremely proud of the boys today. I thought the better team won. All credit to Argentina, and they were more clinical, so full credit to them.”
During their try at the closing stages: “Yeah, the momentum was swinging our way, and we thought we could have come back. We’ve got some learnings to take and a six-day turnaround to take into Japan.”
Line-ups
Argentia: Mallia; Boffelli, Moroni, Chocobares, M Carreras; S Carreras, Bertranou; Gallo, Montoya (capt), Bello, Pagadizabal, Alemanno, Matera, Kremer, Gonzalez.
Replacements: Creevy, Vivas, Kodela, Rubiolo, Bruni, Cubelli, Sanchez, Cinti.
Samoa: Paia’aua; Ah-Wong, Seuteni, Manu, Lam; Leali’ifano, Taumateine; Lay, Lam, Alo-Emile, Alainu’u’ese, Vui (capt), McFarland, Lee, Luatua.
Replacements: Malolo, Faumuina, Alaalatoa, Seu, Taufua, Matavao, Leuila, Toala
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
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