Argentina cut loose to claim Autumn Nations Series win over Italy

Rampant Argentina opened their Autumn Nations Series campaign with a commanding 50-18 win over Italy in Udine to extend their winning run against the Azzurri to nine games.

Fly-half Tomas Albornoz, who plays his club rugby in Italy at Benetton, scored 20 points to steer the Pumas to their biggest-ever victory in the fixture as the visitors let loose in the second half.

It was a strong start to the Autumn Series for the Pumas, who have trips to Ireland and France to come, while the Azzurri host Georgia next before taking on New Zealand in Turin.

An early injury to Ange Capuozzo put Italy on the back foot, and the Pumas capitalised with two tries as Juan Cruz Mallia scooped up a loose ball to run in the first from his own half before Gonzalo Bertranou dotted down the second in the corner.

But Italy battled back in a scrappy encounter with a penalty try from a driving maul and Tommaso Allan’s penalty made it a one-score game at the break, even if the hosts were left frustrated that Mirco Spagnolo’s try was ruled out.

Another Allan kick reduced the deficit to four points early in the second half to raise home hopes of a comeback, but they were soon extinguished as the Pumas raced clear.

Joel Sclavi, Santiago Cordero, Matias Alemanno and Bautista Delguy ran in tries for the visitors in the second half, with Giacomo Nicotera’s effort Italy’s only response on a night head coach Gonzalo Quesada will want to forget against his native country.

After a hugely encouraging first year in charge for Italy head coach Quesada, a clash with his native country provided a stark and sobering return to reality.

Italy’s superb 2024 Six Nations campaign, where they beat Scotland and Wales and held France to a draw, was widely seen as evidence that this young team was finally ready to deliver the results its potential had long promised.

But this hammering in Udine was more like the bad old days, as the Azzurri failed to find any rhythm in attack and showed a lack of discipline and defensive shape. The pressure will be on to turn things around against Georgia convincingly, and restore belief that they can land some punches when the All Blacks visit at the end of the month.

The Benetton fly-half looked at home as he put his adopted nation to the sword with steady kicking from the tee, a superb burst under the posts for his try and some slick passing as he ended the night with 20 points.

Italy: Capuozzo 6, Lynagh 5, Brex 6, Menoncello 6, Ioane 6, P. Garbisi 6, Page-Relo 5; Spagnolo 6, Lucchesi 7, Riccioni 6, N. Cannone 6, Ruzza 6, Negri 6, Lamaro 6, L. Cannone 5

Replacements: Nicotera 7, Fischetti 6, Ferrari 6, Lamb 6, Zuliani 6, A. Garbisi 6, Allan 7, Zanon 6

Argentina: Mallia 8, Isgro 8, Cinti 8, Orlando 7, Delguy 7, Albornoz 9, Bertranou 8; Gallo 7, Montoya 7, Sclavi 8, Molina 7, Rubiolo 7, Gonzalez 6, Grondona 7, Oviedo 7

Replacements: Ruiz 6, Calles 6, Kodela 6, Alemanno 7, Pedemonte 6, Garcia 6, Moroni 6, Cordero 8

12’ TRY – ITALY 0-10 ARGENTINA (MALLIA, CON. ALBORNOZ)

Gut-wrenching stuff for Italy! Just as they are launching one of their most promising attacks of the game, Ruzza fails to catch a pass out wide and Mallia scoops it up before sprinting all the way down the touchline from his own 22-metre line, stepping Lynagh at the end for good measure.

34’ TRY! ITALY 7-17 ARGENTINA (PENALTY TRY)

This time the lineout sticks, and the maul forms…and a penalty try is awarded as it comes down! Carley’s arm goes into the air and there will be a yellow card for Gonzalez to boot. The Azzurri are back in it! All thanks to that Lucchesi turnover.

58’ TRY! ITALY 13-31 ARGENTINA (ALBORNOZ, CON. ALBORNOZ)

Argentina hit Italy on the counter-attack direct from that loose ball as Lynagh fails to gather a high ball. It’s all a bit scrappy as the ball bounces around, but Albornoz finishes it superbly by bursting under the posts before getting up to add the conversion.

67’ TRY! ITALY 13-36 ARGENTINA (CORDERO)

Argentina are home and dry! Superb finish from Cordero the substitute, who puts on the afterburners on the wing to step past two defenders and dive over the line. For the first time tonight, Albornoz fails to nail the conversion.

79’ TRY! ITALY 18-50 ARGENTINA (DELGUY, CON. ALBORNOZ)

It’s 50! Argentina have run rampant in this second half and Delguy finishes with a flourish, ending a flowing team move to complete a resounding victory.