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Nervous Pumas rise above Georgian challenge

Sunday 2 October 2011, 6:51PM

By Rugby World Cup 2011

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PALMERSTON NORTH

Argentina scraped through to a quarter-final against New Zealand after winning their final Pool B match against Georgia 25-7.

The Pumas started nervously at Arena Manawatu against the 14th-ranked Lelos, seemingly weighed down by the knowledge they needed one point to progress to the last eight.
Both teams were unable to create opportunities until the 32nd minute, when Argentina left wing Juan José Imhoff crashed over.

Pumas captain Felipe Contepomi admitted his team struggled to find rhythm during the first 40 minutes.

"We couldn't find a way to break through in the first half," he said. "We couldn't score when we had to."

Georgia's Lasha Khmaladze scored his team's only try in the 39th minute. Malkhaz

Urjukashvili successfully converted to put the Lelos ahead 7-5 at half-time.

Handling errors

Georgia prop David Kubriashvili was disappointed his team were unable to capitalise on their lead.

"It's a shame because we played well and in the end they scored two tries," he said.

"I don't like the final score, it's not good and it does not reflect the way we have played. We played this match to win it, so it is disappointing."

Imhoff said that despite scoring Argentina's first try of the match, he was disappointed that his team also fumbled the ball. Over 80 minutes Argentina made nine handling errors, while Georgia made eight.

"Georgia played very well and we made a lot of errors which cost us some points," said the 23-year-old.

Georgia coach Richie Dixon was unhappy with how his team's final RWC 2011 match ended.

Late breakthrough

"I was very disappointed with the outcome of this match," said the Scot. "We didn't get as much out of the game as what we put into it.

"I thought that we were very much in this game. But the scoreline flatters them (Argentina)."

Despite the scrappy nature of their overall performance, Argentina were satisfied that they were able to score two tries against Georgia in the last 15 minutes.

"Thankfully, we scored some tries and we won," said Contepomi.

Argentina will now meet the All Blacks, who finished top of Pool A, in a last-eight clash at Eden Park in Auckland next Sunday.

Contepomi admitted his team must regroup and reflect on their performance against

Georgia ahead of the quarter-finals.

"We have a lot to do in the next week," he said. "We are thrilled that we went through but now we have to work hard."