A Brilliant second-half kicking performance by Gonzalo Quesada saw Argentina overcome a 13-point deficit for a crucial 32-16 win over Samoa in a rain-swept Group D match in Llanelli yesterday.
The 25-year-old out-half struck seven penalties and a drop goal to add to a first half penalty as the Pumas came from 16-3 down at half-time to all but make sure of a place in the play-offs.
The Argentinian, nicknamed `Speedy Gonzales' because of the lengthy time he takes with his kicks, was composure itself as he slotted nine of his 10 attempts at the posts.
His deadly accuracy saw the Pumas make a remarkable recovery in a match the big-hitting Samoans threatened to run away with after they had started better in the heavy rain which made handling and footwork difficult.
Allejandro Allub scored Argentina's only try - their first of the World Cup - when the burly lock barged over from close range in the 66th minute.
Quesada said diligent practice had been the key to his kicking success.
"This week I've stayed behind after three training sessions to practice my kicking," he said.
"I've kicked since I was young but I was doing a business degree for five years. It's difficult to practice as I want to because I work for a cosmetics company. There's only one day in the week where I can practice for an hour.
"But now I am on tour I can be as professional as I want. The great thing about the World Cup is you're just concentrating on rugby and you have more time to practice."
Quesada said he was hoping his World Cup performances would catch the eye of European clubs.
"I'd like to have the experience of playing professional rugby. The Argentinian players who have turned professional have got better as a result and I'd like to have the experience of living abroad and playing rugby.
"I'd go to Wales, England, Ireland, Scotland, France - any place to play rugby professionally."
Samoa seemed to have a World Cup play-off place in their sights after a try by flanker Junior Paramore and two penalties and a conversion from full back Silao Leaega gave them a 13-point cushion at the turnaround.
With the rain clearly affecting the players' handling and footing, the first points of the match did not arrive until the 19th minute when Leaega slotted a penalty from wide on the left.
The Samoans went 10-0 in front soon afterwards when powerhouse centre Va'aiga Tuigamala punched a hole though the Argentinian midfield to give Paramore a clear run under the posts.
But it was a different story after the break as Gonzalez made the most of the Samoans' increasing ill-discipline with as good a kicking performance as any seen in the tournament so far.
Argentina: M Contepomi; O Bartolucci, E Simone, L Arbizu (capt), D Albanese; G Quesada, A Pichot; M Reggiardo, M Ledesma, O Hasan, A Allub, I Fernandez Lobbe, G Longo, R Martin, S Phelan. Replacements: M Ruiz, G Camardon, M Scelzo. Not used: F Contepomi, N Fernandez Miranda, A Canalda, L Ostiglia.
Samoa: S Leaega; A So'oalo, G Leaupepe, V Tuigamala, B Lima; S Bachop, S So'oialo; B Reidy, T Leota, R Ale, L Tome, O Palepoi, J Paramore, P Lam (capt), S Ta'la. Replacements: T Vaega, T Vili, M Mika, I Feaunati, O Matauiau. Not used: J Clarke, K Toleafoa. At- tendance: 11,000.
Referee: W Erickson (Australia).
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