England fight back to beat Pumas

England captain Mike Tindall hailed replacement Ben Youngs after the scrum half scored a crucial late try to help his team to a 13-9 victory over Argentina in Pool B at Otago Stadium on Saturday.

Martin Johnson's side were trailing 9-3 when Youngs crossed the line with a quick five-metre break 13 minutes from time for the match's only try.

Fly half Wilkinson kicked the conversion from under the posts to put England 10-9 ahead before wrapping up victory five minutes from time with a penalty.

Tindall said: "Ben played brilliantly when he came on and his effort was rewarded with his try, which ultimately won us the game."

The English struggled to find their best form in a match littered with poor kicking. Wilkinson failed with five of his seven penalty attempts while Pumas full back Martín Rodríguez had an identical record.

Tindall admitted England's concession of 10 penalties almost cost them the match but added: "Luckily for us today none of the kickers could kick."

Argentina fly half Felipe Contepomi said: "We were competitive for long periods but we didn't take our chances."

Contepomi's seventh-minute penalty was matched by England counterpart Wilkinson five minutes later.

Rodríguez kicked another penalty in the 20th minute to give his team a 6-3 half-time lead.

The full back kept his head to extend the lead to six points early in the second half before Youngs and Wilkinson intervened to turn the match in England's favour.