Contepomi's boot tells in poor match

Italy 14 Argentina 22:LEINSTER'S Felipe Contepomi kicked 17 points in Argentina's win at Turin's Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Rafael Carballo ran in the Pumas' only try in the 50th minute after outhalf Juan Martin Hernandez collected his own clever chip in the middle of the pitch to feed the winger.

Outhalf Andrea Marcato scored two penalties and a drop goal for the Azzurri and fullback Andrea Masi ran over a consolation try in stoppage time.

The result eased the pressure on Argentina coach Santiago Phelan, giving his side their second win since he took over after last year's World Cup.

"I think today we were better recovering the ball when we were on our feet," Carballo said. "Next week, in our preparation for the Test with Ireland, we will work really hard like we have for this game. We are going to continue practising this system."

Italy had the visitors under pressure in the scrum in the opening period, and the Pumas were repeatedly penalised for collapsing, but Marcato failed to capitalise and missed two penalties as well as a drop goal attempt.

It was scrappy in the backs, with too much poor kicking from hand and too many passes going astray or forward for the game to gain any rhythm.

Inside centre Contepomi eventually got some points on the board with a 25th-minute penalty after he and Hernandez had missed early long-distance efforts.

Carballo's try was one of the match's few moments of excitement and came despite the Pumas being a man down because of Rodrigo Roncero's yellow card for an off-the-ball incident.

ITALY: Masi; Robertson, Pratichetti, Garcia, M Bergamasco; Marcato, Canavosio; Aguero, Ongaro, Nieto, Del Fava, Bortolami, Sole, M Bergamasco, Parisse. Not used: Ghiraldini, Perugini, Reato, Travagli, Lo Cicero, Orquera, McLean.

ARGENTINA: Stortoni; Aramburu, Tiesi, Contepomi, Carballo; Hernandez, Vergallo; Roncero, Ledesma, Orlandi, Lozada, Albacete, Durand, Alvarez, Fernandez Lobbe. Not used: Basualdo, Ayerza, Galindo, Campos, Figuerola, Fernandez, Agulla.

Referee: Chris White(RFU).