Argentina defeated Wales in the opening round of the 2025 World Rugby u20 Championship. It was a victory by five tries to three, though it was far from smooth sailing from the South Americans in Verona, Italy.
Los Pumitas had a diabolical start. Fullback Pascal Senillosa was yellow carded for typing the ball down. Referee Griffin Colby awarded Wales a penalty try. Los Pumitas responded through hooker Tadeo Ledesma Arocena.
The score was not level for long and the South Americans were also down to 14-players again. N8 Agustín García Campos was yellow carded for a side entry and Wales took full advantage. First, Harri Ford slotted a penalty then Steffan Emanuel and Evan Minto both scored tries.
Wales were in firm control with a 24-7 lead on 29 minutes. The u20 Dragons had the upper hand at the breakdown and some Los Pumitas’ players were guilty of erratic play.
Pampas Tight Head Tomás Rapetti showed why Toulouse are interested. He powered over for a try to begin Argentina’s comeback. What followed was a lesson for Wales. A badly taken kick-off saw Argentina taking full advantage. A quick throw-in and two hand-off’s from Timoteo Silva saw the winger over. for a second try in as many minutes.
Rapetti went close to scoring again. Colby awarded Wales a penalty and half-time followed. Argentina remained behind but the lead had been cut down to 24-19.
The second-half saw Los Pumitas starting well; Rapetti leveled the scored on 43 minutes. Harri Ford and Rafael Benedit then traded penalties for a 27-27 scoreline on 53 minutes.
By now Argentina had a clear edge at the scrum. The South Americans were also enjoying the better of play in general. Wales had few opportunities and were unable to capitalize when replacement Harri Wilde missed a penalty.
Los Pumitas regrouped from Wilde’s miss and scored at the other end of the field. A break down the left was followed by phase and phase of pick-and-go raids from the forwards. N8 scored Agustín García Campos what proved to be the match-winner.
Argentina and Wales both play again on Friday, July 04. Wales take-on France while Argentina will face Spain. Both matches will be in Rovigo. France were 49-11 winners over Spain in their match earlier on in the day on day one.
| VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS |
| SCORING |
WALES u20 (27)
TRY – Penalty Try (3′); S Emanuel (24′); E Minto (28′)
CON – No Kick (3′); H Ford 2 (25′, 29′)
PEN – H Ford 2 (21′, 50′)
ARGENTINA u20 (34)
TRY – T Ledesma Arocena (15′), T Rapetti 2 (32′, 43′), T Silva(34′), A García Campos (77′)
CON – R Benedit 3 (15′, 35′, 78′)
PEN – R Benedit (53′)
YC – P Senillosa (3); A García Campos (19′)
| TEAMS |
WALES u20
1 Ioan Emanuel, 2 Harry Thomas, 3 Sam Scott, 4 Kenzie Jenkins, 5 Nick Thomas, 6 Deian Gwynne, 7 Harry Beddall (capt.), 8 Evan Minto, 9 Sion Davies, 10 Harri Ford, 11 Aidam Boshoff, 12 Steff Emanuel, 13 Osian Roberts, 14 Elijah Evans, 15 Jack Woods
Replacements: 16 Saul Hurley, 17 Louie Trevett, 18 Owain James, 19 Dan Gemine, 20 Caio James, 21 Ellis Lewis, 22 Harri Wilde, 23 Tom Bowen
ARGENTINA u20
1, Juan Ignacio Rodríguez, 2 Tadeo Ledesma Arocena, 3 Tomás Rapetti, 4 Tomás Duclos, 5 Álvaro García Iandolino, 6 Tomás Donde, 7 Santiago Neyra, 8 Agustín Garcia Campos, 9 Félix Corletto, 10 Rafael Benedit, 11 Bautista Lescano, 12 Felipe Ledesma (capt.), 13 Pedro Coll, 14 Timoteo Silva, 15 Pascal Senillosa
Replacements: 16 Jerónimo Otaño, 17 Diego Correa, 18 Gael Galván, 19 Valentino Freiria, 20 Pampa Storey, 21 Fabricio Griffo, 22 Ramón Fernández Miranda, 23 Aquiles Vieyra
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Griffin Colby (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Morgan White (Hong Kong); Franco Rosella (Italy)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
The post Argentina Come out on top against Wales at u20 Championship appeared first on Americas Rugby News.
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