U-20 World Cup: The Pumitas Triumph Over Wales in Their Debut | Argentina’s Success in the Group Stage

The Argentina Under-20 rugby team defeated Wales 34-27 in the first match of the group stage of the World Championship.

The national team started its participation on the right foot, with tries from hooker Tadeo Ledesma, prop Tomás Rapetti (twice), wing Timoteo Silva, and, four minutes before the end, number eight Agustín García Campos.

Thus, Los Pumitas achieved a vital win with a bonus point to keep their hopes of advancing to the next stage alive, which they will need to reaffirm against their Spanish counterpart next Friday, July 4, starting at 3:30 PM.

After the first round, the national team occupies second place with five points, tied with the leader France, but with a 31-point difference. Wales is third with one point for losing by less than seven points, and last is Spain, with no points.

Having started in disadvantage from the third minute due to a penalty try, the Argentine team leveled the score at 14 minutes with Ledesma’s try, who broke away a few meters to the left of the H and managed to score despite three opponents’ efforts. The subsequent conversion by fly-half Rafael Benedit equalized the match.

After a penalty taken by fly-half Harri Ford, center Steffan Emanuel would appear unmarked on the left side of the field to score the first try for the Brits. Ford’s conversion would extend the Welsh lead.

Only four minutes later, at the 28-minute mark of the first half, a powerful break by number eight Evan Minto, who advanced through the center, would lead to the second and final Welsh try, establishing a score of 24-7.

At 32 minutes into the first half, the Argentines would reach the in-goal again, with a lineout and a maul well executed, culminating in Rapetti’s try on the right side of the field.

Two minutes later, a quick play from Silva gave him the entire field to run down the right wing, finishing with a score just a few meters from the in-goal. A new conversion by Benedit marked an unfavorable score of 24-19 at halftime.

As soon as the second half began, in the second minute, a good pick-and-go by the national representatives led to Tomás Rapetti’s second try of the match on the left side, leveling the score at 24.

After a penalty converted by each side in the 10th and 13th minutes of the second half, the match would be decided at the 38-minute mark of the second half. A new Argentine ruck close to the opponent’s in-goal allowed García Campos to score beneath the H. Benedit’s subsequent conversion would seal the win at 34-27.