Argentina ran in seven tries on Wednesday to claim a share of the top spot in Pool A with a decisive 50-3 Rugby World Cup win over Romania.
The Puma forwards won the battle of the big men, with number eight Pablo Bouza scoring two push-over tries. Fullback Juan Hernandez also bagged two tries, while flyhalf Juan Fernandez Miranda kicked four conversions and a penalty goal at a lively Aussie Stadium.
Argentina earned a bonus point for scoring four or more tries to emerge with 10 points ahead of their Sunday showdown with fellow pool leader Ireland, with a likely quarterfinal spot on the line. Ireland, with three wins from three matches this tournament, are yet to face Pool A favourite Australia, who have nine points.
Romania, now eliminated, have suffered three losses from three matches and can only hope to salvage some pride with a win over Namibia next week.
Playing just four days after their crushing 90-8 defeat at the hands of Australia, Romania showed spirit and resolve in the face of a concerted early Argentinian attack.
Argentine centre Martin Gaitan finally broke through the Romanian defence in the 11th minute, scoring on a scything 40m run for his fourth try of the championship. Fernandez Miranda converted to make it 7-0.
After some bruising forays on both ends of the field, Hernandez extended the Pumas’ lead in the 29th minute, gathering a deft, grounding kick ahead from Fernandez Miranda to barge over for a try. The boot of Fernandez Miranda added the extra points to give the South Americans a 14-0 lead.
The gap was widened to 17-0 four minutes later when Fernandez Miranda kicked a penalty goal from five yards inside touch.
Argentina, which commanded 72% of territory in the first 40 minutes, struck again a minute before halftime when centre Manuel Contepomi capitalised on a Romanian handling error to run in a try from 15m out. Fernandez Miranda’s conversion took his team to the break with a hefty 24-0 lead.
Nicolas Fernandez Miranda secured Argentina’s bonus point less than a minute into the second half when he ran in a try and gave younger brother Juan another two conversion points to make it 31-0.
Bouza scored his first push-over try in the 48th minute to make it 36-0.
Ionut Tofan averted a whitewash for the Romanians when he slotted a penalty goal in the 52nd minute.
Bouza scored his second try in the 62nd minute to join Gaitan and New Zealand’s Mils Muliaina at the top of the try-scorers’ list with four and replacement Gonzalo Quesada converted to make it 43-3.
Hernandez ran 30m for his second try in the 66th minute, with the Quesada kick making it 50-3. — Sapa-AP