England fall to narrow Argentina defeat
Juan Martin Hernandez was in fine kicking form for England
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Saturday, 13, Jun 2009 10:25
A week after comfortably beating Argentina, England have fallen to a 24-22 defeat away to the Pumas.
England handed a debut to Harlequins forward Chris Robshaw at blindside flanker, while skipper Steve Borthwick won his 50th cap.
But it was the Argentinian changes, from the 37-15 defeat at Old Trafford last week, which proved to be more significant. The Pumas recalled the trio of Mario Ledesma, lock Rimas Alvarez Kairelis and prop Marcos Ayerza.
It was Ledesma who played a huge hand in the opening try. England hooker Dylan Hartley had a poor start to the game and it was his wayward through which gave Argentina a good attacking position and Ledesma off-loaded the on-rushing Juan Manuel Leguizamon for the try.
Andy Goode kicked a penalty for England to get his side on the scoreboard. But indiscipline, which blighted England all through the Six Nations, reared its ugly head and they gave away three penalties, with Juan Martin Hernandez kicking all of them.
Argentina conceded a penalty after they were continually outmuscled in the scrum, but Goode missed the kick at goal.
The Pumas scored their second try three minutes into the second-half as Horacio Agulla took advantage of a missed tackle from Goode and sent a long pass to Gonzalo Camacho for the try. Hernandez added the conversion.
Goode made amends as he kicked three penalties to keep England in the game, but his counterpart Hernandez kicked a drop-goal to keep his side ahead.
An excellent break from Delon Armitage led to a late try from Matt Banahan and another penalty from Goode got England to two points of the home side, but Argentina held on for the win.