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Stockdale sparkles as Ireland sink Pumas

Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale

Jacob Stockdale enhanced his burgeoning reputation with two tries as Ireland rounded off an encouraging series of November internationals by beating Argentina 28-19.

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A try-scorer in his country’s emphatic thrashing of South Africa a fortnight ago, Ulster wing Stockdale again impressed on Saturday, finishing off slick Irish moves in either half at the Aviva Stadium.

The 21-year-old’s second score at the beginning of the second period put Ireland in total control after they had led 13-0 at the interval.

Joaquin Tuculet and Juan Manuel Leguizamon crossed as Argentina belatedly found some rhythm going forward, but CJ Stander went over between those scores and Ireland were comfortable winners despite Ramiro Moyano’s last-gasp effort.

Ireland end November with three wins from three against Southern Hemisphere opposition, a much-changed side having beaten Fiji in between the emphatic wins over the Springboks and Pumas.

 

Stockdale’s opening try owed much to the quick hands of Chris Farrell, who started at outside centre in the absence of the injured Robbie Henshaw.

Jonathan Sexton surged through a gap from Farrell’s delicate pass and Stockdale came up in support of his fly-half to score under the posts.

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That clinical move offered a sharp contrast to the error-strewn handling of Argentina, who frequently coughed up possession in the opening 40.

Ireland extended their lead two minutes into the second half when Stockdale hit a lovely line off Sexton’s flat pass before bending his run to go over in the left corner.

A spell of pressure from the visitors, aided by repeated Irish infringements, culminated in Tuculet touching down from Nicolas Sanchez’s neat grubber kick.

Yet Ireland were soon back on the front foot and essentially wrapped up victory when Stander powered over the line in the 63rd minute off the back of a rolling maul.

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Leguizamon’s subsequent diving effort on the left flank was no more than a consolation as Sexton’s third penalty ended any chance of a grandstand finale being set up.

Argentina’s second-half improvement did earn further reward, however, as Moyano also scored in the left corner with Ireland’s victory beyond doubt.

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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