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POOL D
Pumas roar back
Sun, 10 Oct 1999 13:44 GMT
Stradey Park, Llanelli, has been a famous venue down the years for twinkle-toed standoff wizardry from the likes of Phil Bennett, Barry John and Jonathan Davies. Today's Group D encounter between Samoa and Argentina was by way of contrast a full-blooded, bone-jarring contest in which thumping tackles held sway.
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No one could say it wasn't predictable. Samoa hooker Trevor Leota, who set the tone with a couple of brutal but legitimate hits in the opening minutes, said recently: 'I love to hurt people. Not in a nasty way, but I want to see them scattered all over the ground' His wish came true as early as the eleventh minute when three Argentineans were temporarily left in a heap.
The bruises sustained by the Pumas were considerably eased by the 32-16 victory which keeps this group wide open. Both sides now have one win and one loss but Argentina will surely take infinitely more confidence into next week's clash with Japan than Samoa will against Wales. The South Americans look odds on to earn a quarterfinal playoff against Scotland at Murrayfield, the scene of a recent triumph.
The architect of the triumph was flyhalf Gonzalo Quesada, who has already gained notoriety as the game's slowest goal kicker. The 25-year-old landed 8 out of 8 penalty attempts and a majestic drop goal to boot. Trailing 16-3 at the break, the Puma's comeback, which saw them score 29 unanswered points in the second half was one of the most dramatic episodes of the World Cup.
Agustin Pichot again demonstrated why he is one of the most highly rated scrumhalves in the world and his sniping blindside run led to Argentina's only try, scored by lock Alejandro Allub from a driving maul. Up front the absence of the suspended Roberto Grau was hardly noticed as the Pumas eight scrumed Samoa into submission. Two of Queseda's goals came directly from front row offenses.
Samoa, who beat Argentina in each of the last two World Cups, were made to pay for crass indiscipline in the second forty. If they were able to field their strongest possible line-up - the likes of Kronfeld, Ieremia and Tana Umaga were all snaffled by the All Blacks - they could be a mighty force but their old failings materialised again here.
The signs of Samoan fallibility were evident early on as Argentina tried to stretch their opponents. Bristol bound centre Eduardo Simone carved out a gift of a chance for left wing Diego Albanese. To the horror of his teammates and a sizable and vocal Argentinean section in the crowd, Albanese dropped a simple pass.
Va'aiga Tuigamala then made the dent from which Gloucester's Junior Paramour scored the opening try and three Silalo Leaega penalties helped Samoa to a formidable lead by the break.
Hero: Quesada: Slow but deadly.
Villains: Hecklers who tried to put off both goal-kickers.
Champagne Moment: Argentina's first try of the world cup sent the place berserk.
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