ARGENTINA CAME ON strong in the final quarter to beat Italy 31-15 in Florence and bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to England.
The Pumas only managed eight points in a scrappy match at Twickenham and struggled to get the better of Italy for an hour.
However, after claiming the lead for the third time courtesy of Nicolas Sanchez’s 60th-minute penalty, Argentina then claimed two late tries through Marcos Kremer and Joaquin Tuculet to ultimately triumph with a degree of comfort.
The visitors claimed the only try of the first half when Sebastian Cancelliere crossed, but trailed 9-8 at the interval due to three Carlo Canna penalties.
Sanchez and Canna exchanged kicks early in the second period, before Italy edged in front again, Marcelo Violi splitting the posts with a drop goal.
The hosts faded in the final 20 minutes, though, as Kremer and Tuculet earned Argentina a much-needed win.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
