Contepomi stars in Pumas win
Argentine rugby took a significant step forwards on Saturday as a second-string Pumas side handed Italy a 37-22 drubbing in San Juan.
Last Updated: 09/06/12 9:54pm
Argentine rugby took a significant step forwards on Saturday as a second-string Pumas side handed Italy a 37-22 drubbing in San Juan.
The tourists were expected to run out easy winners but Argentina - without most of their best players - put on an impressive display of depth to run four tries past the near full-strength Azzurri.
The result will come as massive boost to Argentine confidence ahead of their two-Test series against France starting next week and, perhaps more importantly, their debut in the Rugby Championship in August .
Argentina led 13-10 at the end of a largely uneventful first half but stepped up the tempo in the second period to leave the visiting Italians shell-shocked.
Veteran playmaker Felipe Contepomi finished the game with personal tally of 22 points - including a try - to send a reminder to coach Santiago Phelan that their still is life left in his old legs.
The only other Puma to start the game with more than 15 caps to his name, prop Rodrigo Roncero, who is playing his last Test series, also chipped in with a try.
