Argentina faced off against Tonga in a low-key Pool C clash in Osaka.
Going into the game, both teams had lost their opening matches of the tournament and had a chance to return to winning ways here. These teams had met in the previous World Cup with the South Americans emerging as 45-16 winners. The Pumas were the favourites to clinch this tie though and so it proved to be.
As was custom, Tonga performed their ceremonial Sipi Tau just before kickoff much to the glee of the watching crowd.
This is the Sipi Tau.
One of the great sights in rugby.#RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/5b6RtLWVXU
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 28, 2019
Argentina 28-12 Tonga: Watch highlights below
As the game kicked off, Argentina would have first blood after doing well from a line out before working their way out wide to free Julian Montoya who scored with a free run into the corner. Urdipilleta grabbed the conversion for a scoreline of 7-0 to Los Pumas.
17 minutes into the game and it was Montoya who garnered the honours again with another try and once again Urdipilleta piled up the extras.
Argentina kept growing into the match as just two minutes later, another try arrived courtesy of Santiago Carreras who strolled over unopposed; the scoreline stood at 21-0 as Tonga had no answer for Argentina’s blazing start.
Montoya’s afternoon would get better as he scooped up a a hat-trick as Argentina got a bonus point within half an hour of the game. 28-0 to Argentina it stood.
30 minutes in though and the Tongans would fight back as Telusa Veainu danced past two defenders to score and Takalua converted to provide an avenue back into the game.
Following halftime, Tonga fought back again to score a brilliant try in the 66th minute. Cooper Vuna deftly avoided two bodies to flick the ball to the onrushing Veainu who scored with a diving finish for a scoreline of 28-12.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Argentina had a penalty to close the gap but Nicolas Sanchez missed the chance to add three more points for his side.
And so it finished at the Hanazono stadium with Argentina having the better of the first half and Tonga the better of the second.
Next up for Argentina is a daunting clash against England and Tonga face France next.
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Julian Montoya, the first hooker to score a hat-trick at a Rugby World Cup since 1999. #ARGvTGA #RWC2019 #RWCHanazono pic.twitter.com/25ubX38EwM
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 28, 2019
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