England Crushes Argentina in the First Test, with Ford Shining
English winger Tom Roebuck scored two tries and veteran fly-half George Ford delivered a masterful performance in the 35-12 victory over Argentina in the first test in La Plata on Saturday.
Freddie Steward and substitute Cadan Murley also managed to score, while Ford, 32, celebrating his 100th match, scored two penalties, a drop goal and three conversions.
With 14 internationals out due to British & Irish Lions duties in Australia, a depleted England team started as the “underdog” against the Pumas, who beat the Lions in Dublin two weeks ago.
However, a brave defensive display was complemented by Ford’s astute leadership in a performance that will add to the debate over whether he, rather than Owen Farrell, should have been called up as a replacement for the Lions’ injury.
England showed a resolute defense in the first half, stopping the ball three times to deny tries to Argentina, as the hosts crossed the visitors’ goal line but failed to score.Yellow cards for second-row Alex Coles and debutant Seb Atkinson within six minutes left England with 13 men, but despite this disadvantage, they took the lead from their first foray into Argentinian territory when Ford sent a drop goal in the 20th minute for the only points of the first half.
After the break, England went on the attack and scored three tries in the first 10 minutes of the second half to build a dominant 22-0 lead, met with a cacophony of boos for the home team from their supporters.
Roebuck, in his second international match, scored in the corner a minute after the second half, followed four minutes later by a try from Steward on his return to the English lineup, as Ford’s pass allowed him to break through a gap in the home defense.
Roebuck scored his second try after Ford again pulled the strings in a simple play down the line.
The boos turned into cheers of hope as Argentina attempted a comeback with a try in the 53rd minute for veteran flanker Pablo Matera, marking his 110th appearance, equaling a record for the Pumas, and a drive inspired by the forward finished by second-row Pedro Rubiolo.
That reduced the deficit to 10 points, but Argentine errors gave England penalties at key moments and Ford scored two penalties to keep the tourists comfortably ahead before Murley’s late try secured the victory.
The second test is next Saturday in San Juan.
