Argentina’s 16-0 win over Ireland at Velez Sarsfield completed a two-Test rugby sweep and its biggest winning margin over the Europeans on Saturday.
Flyhalf Federico Todeschini notched three out of four penalty kicks and converted the 79th-minute try by inside centre Manuel Contepomi.
Ireland flyhalf Jeremy Staunton missed three shots at goal, but Ireland suffered more from a welter of forward passes, knock-ons and penalties for offside.
Argentina, strengthened by the return of five players from French clubs, tackled Ireland out of the match, much to the joy of more than 15 000 spectators at Velez Sarsfield.
”We are really proud of our defence, really content,” Contepomi said.
Ireland made 12 changes after losing the first test 22-20 in Sante Fe, adding two new caps, flanker Shane Jennings and winger Rob Kearney, but the new line-up failed to spur Ireland and squandered an edge in possession early on.
Although Ireland had more of the ball in the first half and put on intense pressure in the last 15 minutes of the first period, the visitors failed repeatedly to penetrate a tough Argentine defence.
Staunton missed his only two kicks at the post in the first half.
Meanwhile, with the wind and sun against them, the Pumas led 6-0 at the break with Todeschini landing his only two penalties in the eighth minute and in injury time.
Still, Ireland came close to scoring several times, when Todeschini’s clearance was blocked, and in the last 15 minutes of the first half, during a sustained attack on the Argentine tryline.
Ireland had the better of the lineout but their handling lacked precision, and the Pumas couldn’t capitalise on Ireland’s defensive mistakes.
With the wind in their favour in the second period, the Pumas evened play territorially but the match continued to be punctuated by poor play, with hard tackling and little open play on either side.
Staunton and Todeschini each missed another penalty attempt before Argentina made it 9-0 in the 56th minute.
Argentina pressed on Ireland’s line in the final minutes with scrums and lineouts, and Contepomi squeezed through to score his seventh Test try. In Santa Fe, his brother Felipe kicked the winning drop goal.
Todeschini’s conversion gave him 177 points in 12 tests.
The Pumas face Italy next Saturday in Mendoza. – Sapa-AP