Scots pay price for concentration lapse

Scotland's coach Andy Robinson felt his team had done enough to earn victory when a drop goal from substitute Dan Parks put them ahead 12-6 with only six minutes to play in their Pool B match against Argentina.

But the Argentines were able to claim possession from the restart and feed the ball to right wing substitute Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, who scythed through four defenders for the try that was converted to end Scotland's hopes at 13-12.

"We got to 12-6 and I felt like we were in control of the game. The reason we lost the game was a lapse of concentration," said Robinson.

"Attackingly, I thought we were very smart. Tactically, the boys played a very good game.
"The guys are hurting at the moment and I can understand why."

Atrocious weather didn't help the Scottish cause as a drop goal that would have won it for them slipped off to the side two minutes from time.

Ferocious pace

"I'm pleased with the way the boys handled the weather conditions," added Robinson. "But credit to the Argentines, they played it better."

Play began at a ferocious pace in what was virtually a Pool B knockout tie - the loser was going to find it very difficult to get through to the quarter-finals.

The Scots were quick to show their intention to run the ball and play an up-tempo game but it was 20 minutes before Argentine captain Felipe Contepomi opened the scoring with a penalty straight in front.

Scotland continued to run at the Pumas with wing Max Evans making some good breaks as territory and possession seesawed for the next 15 minutes. After missed penalties and drop goal attempts at both ends Scotland were awarded a gettable penalty from a scrum on the 22 that full back Chris Paterson landed for their first points.

Argentina were struggling against the hard-hitting Scots and several injuries, most notably to number 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and prop Rodrigo Roncero who had to be replaced, weren't helping.

A long-range penalty attempt by Scotland fly half Ruaridh Jackson from just inside halfway sneaked over to give Scotland a 6-3 lead at the break.

The Pumas had a chance to level things up at the start of the second half with a drop goal attempt from full back Martin Rodriguez but his effort fell well short.

Penalty misses

Evans continued to trouble Argentina who remained under pressure as the game went on around players being treated on the field for injuries.

The rain had become heavier, making ball-handling a lottery and the surface slippery. Mistakes were coming from both sides as the pressure mounted with Scotland still running at the Pumas, whose scrambling defence at times was extraordinary.

After further penalty misses both teams took to kicking in an attempt to gain territory. Paterson then spilled a high ball that led to a penalty from a scrum for Argentina and Contepomi put it through the posts from 30 metres to level the scores.

A mistake from the restart and more Scottish pressure got them within drop goal distance. Fly half Jackson was this time on target as the Scots regained the lead.

Parks came on to replace Paterson and his first touch was a penalty kick that left Scotland just five metres from the Argentine line. From the lineout, Parks put over a drop goal that left Argentina needing a converted try to win it and less than 10 minutes to play.

Up stepped Amorosino, who had only been on a few minutes. He received the ball between halfway and the 22 and sliced past four defenders on the right to go all the way. Contepomi converted to give Argentina a one-point lead with six minutes left.

Despite several scares in those hectic final minutes, including that missed drop goal attempt by Parks, Argentina held on for a victory that was hailed by their captain.

"Today was a win for us," said Contepomi. "It was very important for this group, a young group that worked really hard and a team that not many people, especially in Argentina, believed in.

"Today we are one game from qualifying for the quarter-finals. It would be a great achievement for us."