Ireland put their recent run of poor results behind them as they beat Argentina 46-24 at the Aviva Stadium. Ireland ran in seven tries in total, four of which came in the opening half. Declan Kidney's side dominated the game from the first whistle against an Argentinian side that lacked any real cohesion or purpose throughout. Ireland who came into the game on the back of five straight test defeats were rootless in attack. The exciting back three of Zebo, Bowe and Gilroy proved fruitful with each getting on the score sheet.
Led by the flawless Sexton, Ireland got the scoring underway after ten minutes when Ulster's Craig Gilroy crossed the line after brilliantly dancing his way past two Argentinean defenders. Gilroy who was winning his first cap followed last week's hat trick display in Limerick up with a fine individual performance. Ireland were keen to involve the pacey winger at every opportunity and with just reward as he was a dangerous threat throughout.
In truth Argentina offered very little. Their set pieces were a mess and Ireland were clinical in exploiting their errors. The home side were quick to add their second try of the game when Sexton went over following another jinking run by Gilroy. Sexton who was arguably Ireland's best player on the day would later cross for another try which brought his personal tally to nineteen points. Nicholas Sanchez kicked two penalties for the visitors before hooker Richardt Strauss was adjudged to have gotten sufficient grounding on the ball following the TMO's decision.
Ireland were guilty on several occasions of giving away soft penalties which is something that will have frustrated Kidney. Full back Simon Zebo made a vital last ditch tackle as Argentina looked to build some momentum. That was the closest they came in the first half to breaching an otherwise solid Irish defence. Donnacha Ryan was as industrious as ever and robbed Argentinian lineouts on more than one occasion. In the absence of Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll, Ryan led from the front and was awarded man of the match for his powerful display.
Ireland added their fourth try of the half when Simon Zebo scored in the corner, to score the first try of his international career. That left the score at 24-9 at half time with Ireland cruising. There was no let up from Ireland in the second half with Sexton slotting an early penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking over. The out half was again the orchestrator of an Irish try when his perfectly weighted chip over the top was met by the oncoming Tommy Bowe, who left two defenders in his wake. That was Bowe's 25th try in the green jersey which puts him third on the all-time list behind Brian O'Driscoll (45) and Denis Hickie (29).
This was Argentina's ninth game in three months compared to Ireland's third and how it showed. Gordon D'arcy made good ground up the middle before another Gilroy line break. Sexton was on hand to finish off the sweeping move and added the extras from a tight angle. As the Mexican waves began to ring around the stadium, Kidney emptied his bench. Argentina prop Maximiliano Bustos capped a debut to forget when in a moment of utter petulance he threw the ball off the face of Cian Healy. That would cost him ten minutes in the bin and Ireland made their numerical advantage count when Bowe touched down for his second try of the game. O'Gara who had come on for Sexton added the conversion in what was a mere cameo for the Munster stalwart.
Ireland let their guard down in the closing stages which allowed the visitors to claim two tries in a matter of minutes. The first was scored by substitute Tomas Leonardi before captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe bundled his way over in almost the last play of the game.
The day belonged to Ireland though and having finished a disappointing year on a high, it at least gives them a platform to build on for next years six nations campaign. For now, we take the positives safe in the knowledge that far tougher tasks lie ahead.
