9-6 to Argentina.
Probably a fair reflection of the match. Six points to Godman and Scotland in the first half and 9 to Rodriguez and Argentina in the second.
Scotland had some things go against them like Agulla's hit on Lamont which injured Lamont and was missed. Then again, there was a lot of shirt pulling on Argentine defenders which was missed. A good example being when Lamont broke the line as Carizza was held back.
Argentina lost Basualdo to injury late in the first and replaced him with Creevy who was a backrower until April of this year! His lineout throwing was not at the level of Basualdo but he was very good around the park and made countless metres. but, Scotland were very lucky to not have Hines redcarded for his spear tackle on Tiesi. He got a yellow but was lucky to not get a red.
The best player was Albacete, yet it as Carizza doing all the lineout work. Argentina can now look to get them working as a 4-5 combination. Albacete turned over a lot of ball.
Scotland were brilliant early in the match. Their running game was very strong. Cairns and the Lamonts were very impressive. It looked like they would score early but Argentina were able to slow the ball down. As the first half went on this is what both sides did. Scotland ran and Argentina kicked with Argentina taking things slowly when in possesion. Lalanne was like a grandad at times. Argentina were happy for the first half to end. The second half was so different with Argentina playing a running game and some players doing very well like Campos, Creevy, Lobbe and Albacete. Rodriguez was the best back on the park in the second half. He is rumoured to be headed for the Super 14 to play for the Lions in South Africa.
Above all else, Argentina were able to control the tempo and their forwards were better as the game went on. Scotland's back row were great in the first half but outplayed in the second. Their scrum was binding incorrectly at every scrum and got pulled up for it a lot. With another ref, like Alain Roland, they would have been penalized a lot more. Mike Blair was missed today.
Scotland looked like they couldn't believe they lost. It says a lot about the competitiveness of rugby today. One week you knowck over Australia for the first time in 27 years the next a team lacking half their top players beats you. Samoa's loss to Italy was a first today and it was heavy. Rugby has changed so much over the past 10 years.
