In a riveting climax to their second Test against Argentina, England showcased their resilience and determination, clinching a thrilling victory with a dramatic late try from Jack van Poortvliet in the 79th minute. The intense match unfolded at the Estadio Bicentenario in San Juan, where both teams displayed tenacious defense and skillful play. With just minutes remaining, the score was knotted at 17-17, leaving fans on the edge of their seats, yet it was a moment of brilliance by Guy Pepper that paved the way for England’s last-gasp triumph.
As the game approached its conclusion, the tension was palpable. England’s attack had been formidable all evening, yet they struggled to convert their dominance into points. This changed when Pepper, exhibiting exceptional agility and awareness, burst through a fault line in the Argentine defensive line. With perfect timing, he executed a deft inside pass to Leicester scrum-half Van Poortvliet, who utilized his pace to dart into the corner, ultimately securing the winning try for the visitors. George Ford, making his 101st appearance for the national team, fittingly sealed the game by booting the ball out of play, signaling an end to the contest.
The atmosphere post-match was electric as England’s stand-in captain expressed pride in his team. “I like our fight, our togetherness, the way we’re playing for each other,” Ford remarked. His praise was reflective of the unity and spirit the team demonstrated throughout the match. Ford acknowledged the offensive exploits of his teammates, noting the potential for more tries but emphasizing the importance of their collective attitude and determination in achieving the result.
The match began with an impressive display of strategic play by England. Early on, Ford’s crossfield kick found Sale Sharks’ Tom Roebuck in-flight. Roebuck’s powerful presence was further highlighted as he offloaded to Luke Northmore, who then passed to Seb Atkinson for England’s opening try. As the match progressed, England’s resilience was tested anew, recalling challenges they faced in the first Test, where they had to navigate through two yellow cards. In the second Test, Ben Curry was sent to the sin-bin after a collision with Argentine player Pablo Matera, but England held firm despite the numerical disadvantage.
Queuing up in the second half, Ford reflected on the pressure that England faced. He mentioned that while scoring opportunities in the 22 were plentiful, execution was lacking until the final moments when Van Poortvliet delivered the decisive score. “I’m proud of the effort, I’m proud of the boys. To go back-to-back in two weeks against a brilliant team like Argentina is a great effort,” Ford said.
However, the match was not without its challenges for England. Argentina capitalized on the sin-bin period, with scrum-half Simon Benitez Cruz exploiting a momentary gap in England’s backline to set up Lucio Cinti for a well-executed try. England countered with Freddie Steward successfully finding the corner, only to suffer a setback moments before halftime. A clever chip from Santiago Carreras disrupted England’s defense, leading to Ignacio Mendy scoring just prior to the break.
In the second half, a penalty brought the teams level at 17-17, with neither side managing to gain a significant advantage for most of the half, until Van Poortvliet’s late heroics shifted the momentum decisively. Reflecting on the loss, Argentina’s captain, Julian Montoya, expressed disappointment, stating, “We were not good enough. We need to be honest with ourselves.” Montoya acknowledged the support of their fans and commended the debutants, while also admitting that excessive penalties allowed England to exploit their weaknesses effectively.
The match highlighted the increasing intensity of international rugby, with England’s victory cementing their status as a potent force, all while Argentina, greatly improved yet still seeking answers to their continued struggles, remained determined to bounce back in future encounters. Fans can continue to enjoy this captivating sport through the Gallagher Premiership, Autumn Nations Series, and Premiership Women’s Rugby, available on TNT Sports and discovery+.
