Sep 12, 2007, 0:35 GMT
Lyon, France - Argentina overcame a stiff defence by underdogs Georgia to notch a 33-3 win in the Rugby World Cup Tuesday in Lyon.
Playing just four days after their stunning upset of hosts France in the tournament's opening match, the Pumas started sluggishly against the rugged Georgians and fell behind in the second minute to a penalty by Merab-Meko Kvirikashvili.
The Pumas could not take advantage of their territorial advantage in the first 40 minutes, and were forced to settle for two penalty kicks by captain Felipe Contepomi. The half ended with Argentina leading only 6-3.
But just seven minutes after the restart, wing Lucas Borges took a clever pass from Nicolas Fernandez Miranda and went over for the try.
Contepomi converted a penalty in the 53rd minute and Borges concluded a swift counter-attack for his second try three minutes later, as Argentina took control of the match.
Lock Patricio Albacete added five points in the 72nd minute as the Georgia defence began to wilt under the relentless pressure of the Argentines, who were desperate for a fourth try that would give them an important bonus point.
Their efforts were rewarded just before time when Juan Martin Hernandez recovered from a tackle to hand off to centre Federico Martin Aramburu, who touched down in the corner.
Argentina now lead Pool D with 9 points from two matches, with Ireland in second with 5 points and France at 1 point, both having played just once. Georgia is last, trailing Namibia by virtue of a less favourable point differential.
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