Pumas leave it late against Georgia

Argentina 33 Georgia 3: Argentina made their fans wait until the 89th minute before securing their fourth try and bonus point against resilient World Cup minnows Georgia in Lyon.

Having beaten the hosts France in the opening fixture of the World Cup, Los Pumas entered today's game - just four days later - having made a raft of changes in anticipation of a more straight forward affair.

What they got was anything but and the full five points were along time coming.

The Pumas endured a frustrating opening first half but narrowly led 6-3 at the break after two Felipe Contepomi penalties cancelled out Merab Kvirikashvili's effort.

Georgia held firm until the 47th minute when the ball was worked out wide and winger Lucas Borges crossed for the opening try.

Borges struck again, before lock Patricio Albacete trundled over for a third try and wing Federico Martin Aramburu sealed the bonus point with a fourth try a minute from time.

The result leaves Argentina on top of Pool D with nine points having played two games.  Ireland face the Georgians on Saturday and coach Eddie O'Sullivan saw enough this evening to confirm that his practically unchanged side is in for a physical encounter.

The first half battle was waged in the forwards, and those who played against France for Argentina were clearly still feeling the effects.  Kvirikashvili put his side ahead in the second minute after the Georgians charged upfield from their kick-off and the Pumas were deemed offside in a ruck.

Most of the half was played in Georgian territory but the Pumas were unable to breach their defence.

Argentina tried to play the ball out to the wings and also ran at the Georgians through the middle, notably from a grubber kick by Hernandez, but the rival backs were as strong as their fowards at repelling the attacks.

Contepomi, who levelled the score in the 12th minute, put Argentina ahead five minutes before the interval with his second penalty. Leinster's playmaker was captaining the side in the absence of the injured scrumhalf Agustin Pichot.

Borges went over for the first try seven minutes into the second half when he was sent through by a pass from flanker Juan Fernandez Lobbe.

Six minutes later the right wing dived to touch down in the corner by the flag from a pass by outhalf Juan Martin Hernandez, who having kept Georgia back with his touch finders in the first half concentrated on getting his line running in the second.

Hernandez also set up Albacete in the right corner with eight minutes to go, the giant lock handing off Georgia replacement Avtandil Kopaliani as he barged through.

Martin Aramburu also scored on the right, taking the falling Hernandez's pass to skip between two defenders.  Hernandez ended the match by converting the last try.