Argentina finally end losing streak with 28-12 Rugby World Cup victory over Tonga
- The Pumas had lost their previous 10 matches but got off to a fast start against Tonga and next face pool C favourites England
- Hooker Julian Montoya scores three tries but Argentina fail to get on the scoreboard in the second half
Argentina hooker Julian Montoya scored a hat-trick in the first 26 minutes as the Pumas got their World Cup campaign back on track with a 28-12 pool C victory over Tonga on Saturday that snapped a 10-match losing streak.
Argentina had failed to turn up in the first half of their opening loss to France last week but there was no repeat at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium with a fourth converted try from winger Santiago Carreras quickly wrapping up the bonus point.
That they failed to add to their score in the second half will be of some concern, however, as the twice World Cup semi-finalists head into their clash with pool leaders England in Tokyo next weekend.
Tonga, who lost their first match to England, got their first two tries of the tournament through full-back Telusa Veainu either side of half-time and put in a great defensive effort to keep the Pumas out in the second half.
“The bonus point is a big positive,” said Pumas coach Mario Ledesma. “We were very good in the first half but not good in the second. Now we have to prepare ourselves for a big final against England next week.”