Pumas prove too strong for Tonga

Argentine footballing legend Diego Maradona (pictured below) was in the Leicester City Stadium crowd to watch his countrymen seal a Rugby World Cup Pool C bonus-point win over Tonga.

The Pumas' second victory of the competition saw them take a big step towards the quarter finals, after being inspired by 25 points from their own number 10, Nicolas Sanchez, with just minnows Namibia left to play now in seven days' time.

It was, however, Tonga - who included Exeter Chiefs hooker Elvis Taione and former Sandy Park favourite, Fetu’u Vainikolo in their starting line-up - that started this encounter the brighter.

A ferocious early Tonga onslaught laid the platform for Kurt Morath's try only for Joaquin Tuculet and Juan Imhoff to cross as Argentina established a 20-13 half-time lead.

Soane Tonga'uiha's try reduced the gap to seven points but Nicolas Sanchez, who also kicked 20 points, darted over and Julian Montoya and Santiago Cordero tries rounded things off.

The Pumas have won two of their three group games and sit in second place behind New Zealand.

Argentina: J Tuculet, S Cordero, M Moroni (S-G Iglesias 67), J De La Fuente, J Imhoff (H Agulla 65), N Sánchez, M Landajo (T Cubelli 65), L Senatore (F Isa 51), J M Fernández Lobbe, P Matera, T Lavanini, G Petti, R Herrera (J-P Orlandi 65), A Creevy (capt, J Montoya 65), M Ayerza (L Noguera 65).

Tries: Tuculet, Imhoff, Sanchez, Montoya, Cordero; Conversions: Sanchez (4); Penalties: Sanchez (4)

Tonga: V Lilo (D Halaifonua 70), T Veainu, S Piutau, S Piukala (L Fosita 50), F Vainikolo, K Morath, S Takulua (S Fisilau 70), V Ma'afu (O Fonua 60), N Latu (capt), S Kalamafoni, J Tuineau (S Mafi 67),  T Lokotui, H Aulika (S Puafisi 70), E Taione (A Lutui 60), S Tonga'uiha (S Taumalolo 60).

Tries: Morath, Tonga'uiha; Penalties: Morath (2)

Referee: J Peyper (South Africa)