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By Tadhg Peavoy
1639 On that accurate note from Mark, that's that for today.
1639 Told you guys I knew the score. It's a long way to Tipperary but I think it's even a longer way to the World Cup - Nice work Tadgh
Cheers
Mark Hughes - Sydney
1629 Sexo's penalty from half way was a nice way to bring up his hundred points for Ireland.
Kevin O'Herlihy in Thailand
1638 8am here in SoCal. Following along and I haven't got out of bed yet. Technology is grand. I see the Irish players calling BOD 'Drico' on Twitter so you must be with the in crowd.
Siobhán, California
1635 A few last comments from people around the globe:
Tadhg,
Many thanks for the commentary. Not live on tv in Thailand. hopefully will be able to watch the match on Tuesday.
Do you reckon SEXO has made the number 10 spot his own?
Sounds a pretty good all round performance.
Kevin D. O'Herlihy, about 1,000km from the nearest beach.
TP: Kevin, Sexton is the man for the job - no doubt. But ROG is going to be crucial in next year's 6 Nations and World Cup, we need O'Gara's kicking and ability to close out a game. His experience will also help Sexton behind the scenes.
1626 At the close of this year's November series there are many positives for Ireland. The ones that instantly come to mind are:
We now have a panel of 30 players not 15 a la the Eddie O'Sullivan era - if you're reading, sorry Eddie; Sexton is getting more and more exprienced leading the line; Stringer has reemerged as a number nine starting contender; D'Arcy and O'Driscoll are still creative and will probably still be sprightly enough to make the World Cup.
Realistically, there are so many negatives to counteract those positives. But, if Ireland can nail down a better lineout; continue to grow at the scrum; cut down the errors from backline moves; and crucially, improve the angles of running from first centre to full-back - including winger and full-back loop overs - we can be a top four world team. Ireland can do it, the question remains - will we do it?
Thank you for your company and comments throughout the month, it's been my pleasure to bring you our coverage. See y'after.
1620 Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Forty minutes of brilliant rugby from Ireland. Class rugby with precision, aggression and commitment. In the second half Ireland went to pieces, the smooth running and pasing movements of the first half began to disintegrate and the Irish let the Pumas strangle the possession and dirty the breakdown area.
The Pumas had so much possession in the second half and their backline gave such a poor performance they couldn't capitalise on their packs' platform. Against France, England, or the Tri-Nations teams, Ireland will be punished for going into their shells and not turning up to play in the second half.
Two superb tries - one from Ferris, one from D'Arcy - can't paper over the cracks; Ireland are stuck in the second tier of international rugby. Much hard work needs to be done in the winter to change that fact at next year's World Cup. Can it be done? We shall see.
1619 FULL-TIME: IRELAND 29-9 ARGENTINA
That is the last action of a very forgettable match.
82 mins CONVERSION: Mr Ronan O'Gara, as his his style, knocks over the conversion with ease. Ireland 29-9 Argentina.
81 mins TRY IRELAND: Ireland win it from a ruck and Reddan spins it to D'Arcy at first centre. Five metres from the line D'ARcy chips the ball over the Pumas defence and runs on to it himself. The Pumas are caugh flat-footed and D'Arcy touches down! Ireland 27-9 Pumas.
79 mins Pumas play the ball - again! - in the ruck. Ireland kick to the corner. Varley to Toner in the lineout. It is slapped back and secured.
Ireland setup in midfield and Toner breaks the line from a Reddan pop pass. The Pumas are on the back foot now. Ronan OGara spins wide to the right and Murphy comes into the line. It is fed to Bowe right on the right wing, he manages to grubber kick ahead and Earls touches down! The ref goes to the TMO, but he decides Earls knocked it on. Wrong call from the TMO - that should have been a try.
78 mins Jamie Heaslip is Man of the Match - mostly for his superb run and pass setting up Ireland's try.
78 mins Pumas drive at Ireland in the 22. Five yards from the line, the Pumas knock it on in the ruck - awful stuff from the South Americans. O'Gara leathers the ball long downfield. Lineout Pumas on the 10-metre line.
77 mins 'Two average sides playing in a very average game.' Ryle Nugent.
76 mins Scrum Ireland: Ireland collapse and it's a penalty to Argentina. Shocking second half from Ireland. So frustrating after such a superb first half. Reddan comes on for Stringer.
75 mins Ireland lose it as the ball runs lose. The Punas try to spin wide to Agulla but Galindo's pass if forward. Ireland scrum on halfway.
74 mins After nearly ten pick and goes Pumas turnover at the ruck. Ireland run blindside and Trimble is almost away but is hauled down by Agulla in a superb tackle.
73 mins Pumas setup on the Ireland 22. Cotepomi releases Rodriguez Gurruchage for a linebreak, he tries to setup but their is no support and Pumas lose it. A phase later Ireland do the same. This is really poor from both teams now.
72 mins Mick O'Driscoll comes off for Devin Toner.
72 mins Bosch kicks away and Murphy claims and kicks to touch.
70 mins Rodriguez kick to touch. The Pumas maul forward and spin wide on the halfway. Earls comes out of the defensive line to halt the attack as does David Wallace.
70 mins The scrum needs to be reset. Ireland collapse the scrum and the Pumas will kick to touch.
70 mins Scrum Ireland as Vergallo goes off for Lalanne.
69 mins Knock-on Pumas on their own 22. Ronan O'Gara is on for Sexton.
69 mins Keith Earls in on for Brian O'Driscoll.
66 mins The restart is won by O'Callaghan, but then Mick O'Driscoll loses it in contact. Pumas set up several phases. Pumas lose in in the ruck and it is all very slow and boring. Ireland play a long pass in front of their own posts to Varley. He gets isolated and holds on to the ball on the ground. PENALTY to Argentina in front of the Ireland posts. It's easy for Contepomi.
Ireland 22-9 Argentina.
65 mins Penalty to Ireland from the halfway. Sexton and Brian O'Driscoll discuss the option and decide to go for goal. A sign that there is little confidence in running it from a lineout. PENALTY: From halfway, in frton of the posts - woah! It's a beast of a kick! Ireland 22-6 Argentina.
64 mins Cronin is off, Varley is on at hooker. This is his second cap.
64 mins Ireland have lost their nerve and are playing poorly. It's all kicking and lack of ideas all of a sudden.
63 mins Scrum Ireland: Penalty to Ireland for the Pumas infringing in the front row.
62 mins The penalty kick to the touch is missed by the Pumas, Stringer has time to play it in hand, but cheaply kicks it back to the Pumas. Poor choice from the bald, talented number nine.
1551 As it's Monday already over here, does anyone want to know the result of yesterday's game between Ireland and Argentina ?
Mark Hughes, Australia.
61 mins After several phases the Argentines win another penalty in the ruck. Ireland are rattled.
59 mins Pumas win the restart, Bosch takes into contact and sets up on the Pumas own 10-metre line. Several more hard-yard phases from the Pumas. The rucking and mauling of the Pumas is beginning to establish itself. The Pumas kick long to Trimble, who kicks possesion straight back. Then it is kicked back to Murphy, he runs it and loses in contact.
57 mins Agulla makes ten yards down the middle Pumas setup on the 10-metre line and they are using runners either side of the ruck to get 5 or 6 yards each attack. The Argentines are growing in confidence. Pumas win a penalty for Irish hands in the ruck:
PENALTY: Contepomi to go again He has one from four so far. This kick if in front of the posts on the 10-metre line. This time it's better from the former Leinster man. Ireland 19-6 Argentina.
55 mins Pumas try a pop pass from Ledesma to Albacete, but it is over complicated and dropped - the drop is backwards and Pumas continue to hammer at Irealand. Eventually Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino breaks the line but is robbed of the ball by Murphy who kicks long to ease the pressure on Ireland.
53 mins Contepomi lob passes to Agulla out on the right wing. The Pumas setup and go wide to the left this time, Contepomi spills it and D'Arcy is almost through on it but his kick ahead is claimed by the Pumas and they go again at Ireland.
1542 Hi Tadhg,Drico is the man! Sounds like he's having a stormer in the second row.
Come on Mick O'Drscoll!
Stephen McQuaid. Hamburg, Germany (on holidays)
52 mins Scrum Ireland: Solid from Ireland. Heaslip picks to setup a number 8 platform, but he knocks it on. Scrum Pumas.
51 mins Puams go up the middle and setup an excellent platform. Vergallo goes wide left to Fessia but it is forward - a let-off for Ireland.
49 mins Superb scrum from Ireland. Sexton loops around D'Arcy and goes to Murphy. Bowe is sprinting up the wing and Murphy tries to chip to the corner for Bowe to race on to but he slices the kick into touch - annoying. If that was kept in play it was a sure try for Bowe.
48 mins From the resart Albacete knocks it on - Ireland scrum.
47 mins PENALTY: The Pumas peno is from wide on the left and outisde the 10-metre line. Very tough kick. Contepomi takes it: excellent effort, but it draws wide of the goal. Missed penalty.
46 mins Penalty to Argentina as Irealand come in the side of the ruck. The attendance is 30,406 today.
44 mins Marcos Ayerza is on for the Pumas. They win their lineout and ruck it. A boxkick is claimed by Ireland. Once more Cronin takes into contact. D'Arcy makes several hard yards. Healy gets the drive on next, he is isolated and driven back but holds on. This time it goes wide to Wallace who is hit hard and driven back, he holds on in the tackle and the Pumas kick the penalty to the Ireland 10-metre line.
42 mins Some super rucking work enables Ireland to win back possession, but Stringer knocks on as the ball pops out the back of the ruck to him.
Scrum Pumas: It is solid from Ireland and from a huge drive Ireland win the ball. They setup on the 22. Wallace is out in the backline but can't offload. From teh ensuing ruck Stringer spins to the blindside where DRICO!!!! beats two men but then is put into touch. This is great stuff from Ireland. Fast, clever and commited.
41 mins The Pumas to kick-off through Contepomi. Ireland take the restart. Ireland go wide to Trimble, but he tries a chip ahead and shoudl have kept ball in hand and run at the Argies.
1525 The Pumas look disjointed and their scrum has not been the usual devastating weapon we expect. Contepomi is having a quiet game. That said, they are still very much in this Test match.
1525 I'm delighted to say this has been a very assured performance from Ireland. The backline is slick, well-oiled and making insightful breaks. The scrum- after a dodgy opening ten minutes - is doing okay and the rucking is excellent. The lineout has been poor, that must be rectified in the second half.
1522 Sitting on the 1525 from Girona to gatwick waiting to take off. I'm sure maradona just got on the flight. You sure he's going to make it to Lansdowne on time? I know we are an hour ahead, but... Woops they've just closed the doors for take off...
Simon McDonnell.
1521 Trying to find somewhere to watch the game in Ko Phi Phi, Thailand. The so called Irish bar is showing the Premiership.. not happy! Ireland to scrape home in the usual fashion against the Argies. My prediction, for what its worth, Ireland 28 - 19 Argentina.
Frank O'Mahony, Thailand.
1520 Electricity gone in Templeogue. Listening to match on radio. Hope batteries hold out.
Martin
1519 Kevin, come on man! We all know who Drico is! Give me a break chief. Chill out, get yourself a nice spot on the beach, and enjoy Thailand!
1518 Could you please tell me who Drico is?
If you mean O'Driscoll, why not say so.
Kevin D. O'Herlihy in Chiang Mai, Thailand
1517 HALF-TIME: IRELAND 19-3 ARGENTINA
40 mins Several ruck balls in the Pumas 22. Eventually the Pumas go off their feet and play it on the ground. Ireland win a penalty. PENALTY: Sexton to go from in front of the posts. It's a metre outside the 22-metre line and Sexton kicks it to perfection.
Ireland 19-3 Argentina.
39 mins Cronin goes to the tail again and it's very poor and knocked on, but the Pumas lose it in the ensuing ruck and Ireland get a second bite of the cherry.
38 mins Ireland scrum from a Puma knock-on: it collapses. Roncero is penalised for collapsing again. Sexton to go for the corner. IT's a good kick and makes the 22-metre line.
35 mins Vergallo puts a crooked feed into the scum, penalty Ireland. Ireland go through hands wide to the right as Murphy joins the line, he is smashed in two by Agulla, but retains possession.
A couple of rucks later Ireland lose possession and Healy puts his hands into the ruck to hand the Pumas a penalty. PENALTY: Contepomi to go for goal from wide on the right and outside the 10-metre line. He gets it totally wrong and it drops to the right of the posts.
34 mins Ireland again mess-up the restart, this time it's knocked-on by O'Callaghan. Argentina will take the scrum. Mick O'Driscoll gets some attention on the ground.
32 mins Sexton restarts: It almost goes out on the full, but Trimble manages to sprint forward to tap it back, Ireland have possession.
Tight pack work from Ireland puts the Men in Green into the 22. The ball pops out the side of the ruck, but the ref says the Argies were pulling Stringer awat from the ruck by the jersey. PENALTY: Penalty for Ireland in front of the posts: Sexton goes for it. Should be easy for the Leinster number ten and it is.
Ireland 16-3 Argentina.
29 mins Pumas restart the action and again secure their own kick. Ireland are found offside at the ruck, O'Callaghan the offender and Contepomi will kick for goal. PENALTY: This one is also to the left of the posts: This time, he gets the angles right. Ireland 13-3 Argentina.
27 mins Ireland scrum as Lobbe lost it in contact. Roncero takes away his bind and it's a penalty for Ireland. Sexton kicks long to touch. The lineout will be in the Pumas corner. Good lineout needed. it is good and teh ball goes wide to Drico, from the setup Healy makes 10 yards with a hard drive. From the ruck, it is kicked back from a Puma leg. The Argies are offside all over the gaff! Penalty to Ireland. PENALTY: Sexton to go from right in front of the posts: He makes no mistake. Ireland 13-0 Argentina.
25 mins Lineout Ireland halfway between the 10 and 22-metre lines: Cronin throws to the back and Ireland lose it. Vergallo box kicks long and Horacio Agulla darts forward to reclaim it for the Pumas. Lobbe drive forward from the next phase.
23 mins From the restart Cronin concedes a penalty for coming in the side of the ruck. Silly penalty immediatly giving Contepomi a chance at goal. PENALTY: From left of the posts on the 22 Contepomi pulls it to the near post. Missed.
19 mins TRY IRELAND: Short lineout for Ireland, Mick O'Driscoll take the lineout. and taps down to Stringer. Ireland put the ball out the line, Drico and Cronin makes bursts at the line. After two punches at the ARgnine defence, the Pumas are sucked in to the ruck and there is space on the right wing. Sexton passes to Bowe on a loop around from the wing he beats his man and gives to Heaslip who beats two men with pace and pops up for Ferris to go over for a try in the right corner. CONVERSION: Sexton takes the conversion from right of the posts on the 22-metre line.
Ireland 10-0 Argentina.
18 mins Pumas are playing possession rugby. Short, sharp bursts up the middle driving through the Irish defence.
The ball pops out of the ruck and goes forward after about 15 phases. Stringer takes the ball and tells the team to calm down. Sexton will kick to touch for a penalty for hands in the ruck.
15 mins Argentina win the drop-out and play the ball through the phases setting up multiple plays. Martin Rodriguez Gurruchage attempts to chip ahead, but Ireland cover back and secure possession.
Cronin comes off Trimble in the midfield with a swtich and smashed into contact at the next ruck the Pumas turn it over and try to spin it wide, but it's useless and the pass goes into touch.
14 mins The restart is taken by the Pumas not Ireland. It comes quick out the line and Marcelo Bosch scuffs a drop goal attempt.
13 mins It comes to Murphy who switches with Trimble. The Ulster wing breaks to the Pumas half and wins a penalty for an offside tackle I believe.
PENALTY: Sexton kicks from outside the 22, to the left of the posts. He gets it, Ireland 3-0 Argentina.
11 mins My mistake, he kicks to the 22-metre line. The Pumas win the lineout, but from the ruck Ireland steal it. It is spun to D'Ary at first centre, he makes the line break and sprints at the Puma line. He kicks for the corner, where it gets stuck in the mud and the Pumas kick to touch. From the lineout, O'Callaghan obstructs and the Pumas win a penalty. Martin Rodriguez Gurruchage kicks long.
10 mins Heaslip picks and is tackled, he sets up and Sexton is fed from the ruck. Sexton kicks to halfway.
8 mins Fourth scrum: Buckley slips this time. Fifth scrum now: Pumas get the shove on, they move it four yards and the scrum wheels and the ref tells the Pumas to use it, they don't and as the scrum has been wheeled over 90 degrees, Ireland in the put in for the next scrum. Well done Cian Healy for the twist in the scrum.
7 mins Vergallo puts in again. The scum staus up, but then Ireland collapse and are penalised. The Pumas don't go for goal, but take the scrum again. Vergallo puts in for a third time. Buckley collapses and we reset for a fourth time.
6 mins Scrum Argentina: Vergallo puts in. The scrum collapses and must be reset.
4 mins Sexton clears to touch from a ruck - but it is a shocking kick and goes out on the full. Lineout on the Ireland 22. Pumas win it. Ledesma carries forward in a superb rolling maul, the Pumas reach the tryline, but Ireland repel the drive. Pumas still on the line. Ledesma picks and goes. The ref looks at the drive and decides Ledesma was held up and it's a five metre scrum.
3 mins Scrum Ireland: Ireland engage too quickly and the Pumas take a free. Roncero pummels down the middle off a popped-up ball from the scrum-half. From that ruck Contepomi drops into the pocket and goes for a drop goal - he is right in front of the posts and it should be east, but he gets the angle wrong and puts in wide.
2 mins Pumas lineout: It goes to number four in the lineout, but the ref says it was crooked. Ireland take the scrum.
1 min Ireland kick-off through Jonathan Sexton. Pumas claim it and set the ruck. They kick long and Ireland run it back. Trimble beats a man and is evetually dragged down.
Cronin and Tommy Bowe take up the middle but Ledesma steals in the ruck and the Pumas clear downfield. Murphy responds with a kick to touch.
1432 Not a bad attendence is in place in D4 by the looks of it.
1431 Yup, Ireland's Call gets an airing now.
1430 Amhrán na bhFiann does its best to rouse the freezing-looking Ireland fans.
1429 It's a jaunty little number and the Argies are doing their best X-Factor job on it.
1428 The Argentine anthem is belted out: Wikipedia tells us: The "Himno Nacional Argentino" (Argentine National Anthem) is the national anthem of Argentina. The name of the song originally was "Marcha Patriótica" (Patriotic March), later called "Canción Patriótica Nacional" (Nacional Patriotic Song), and finally called "Canción Patriótica" (Patriotic Song).
1427 There is a minute's silence being observed for five members of the San Miguel Rugby Club who died in a car crash during the week.
1425 Ireland are making their way out on to the pitch, Jamie Heaslip looks like a British World War II solider with his pencil moustache and side-parting - a good look!
1424 Brent Pope says Ireland need to and must win this match.
1420 Declan Kidney is telling Tracy Piggott that this week is like any other week, a game that Ireland want to win. He is also happy to see a few new combinations playing for Ireland, especially the new back three of Geordan Murphy, Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble.
1418 Kick-off is ten minutes or so away. Not sure how full the stadium is as yet.
1405 Head of RTÉ Sport and rugby commentator Ryle Nugent is pitch-side with Tony Ward. The lads are discussing the inclement weather conditions. Both agree that the weather is not too bad for Ireland's running game. Cold and dry is better than wet and windy. The Pumas want it muddy so they can keep it up their jumper all afternoon.
1404 Ireland have won the toss in the Aviva. Not sure whether they will kick-off or not yet.
1354 Whether you are straining to use your fingers to use your iPhone in the Aviva or reading this in a log cabin in Switzerland, we would love to hear your thoughts here in Montrose - email in on sportonline@rte.ie.
1348 History tells us that Ireland have a slight edge on Argentina overall; six wins to five in favour of the European side. However, in recent times the Pumas certainly have the upper-hand over the Irish. Ireland won the last meeting of the teams 17-3 in Croke Park; however, the three clashes prior to that game went the way of Argentina.
This would certainly indicate the current crop of Pumas players would feel Ireland are their inferiors. But, at home, Ireland are a different beast against their South American rivals - the Men in Green have never lost to Argentina on home soil, ever.
1346 On an incredibly disappointing weekend for European rugby, following France's hammering, England's rubbishess and Wales's capitulation, the question is can Ireland raise the continent's rugby spirits?
1342 In case you haven't heard the teams for today's battle, here they are again:
Teams (15-1)
Ireland: Geordan Murphy; Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll (Capt), Gordon D'Arcy, Andrew Trimble; Jonathan Sexton, Peter Stringer; Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Stephen Ferris; Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll; Tony Buckley, Sean Cronin, Cian Healy.
Replacements: Damien Varley, Tom Court, Devin Toner, Denis Leamy, Eoin Reddan, Ronan O'Gara, Keith Earls
Argentina: Martin Rodriguez; Horacio Agulla, Gonzalo Tiesi, Marcelo Bosch, L Gonzalez Amorosino; Felipe Contepomi (capt), Nicolas Vergallo; Juan Fernandez Lobbe, Julio Farias Cabello, Genaro Fessia; Patricio Albacete, Mariano Galarza; Martin Scelzo, Mario Ledesma, Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Marcos Ayerza, Juan Figallo, Santiago Guzman, Alvaro Galindo, Alfredo Lalanne, Lucas Borges.
Referee: Mark Lawrence (RSA)
1340 Hello and good afternoon all. I've just sleded in to work through Dublin 4. There are blonde-haired women caked in fake tan dropping their rugger-bugger husbands off at the Aviva on huskie-pulled sleds at the moment; it's quite a sight. The Argentineans aren't quite sure what to make of the whole scenario.
1315 Tadhg is stuck in the snow so I'll keep you entertained for a bit. We'll have confirmation of the teams shortly.
Remember users in Ireland can watch the game live on this website. There is also radio commentary for our worldwide audience on Sunday Sport.
1250 Tadhg Peavoy will be here shortly to build-up to today's match.
1216 There are rumours Diego Maradona will attend the game today. It's about time a footballer with a bit of talent graced the stadium.
1215 Ireland's clash with Argentina this afternoon has passed a pitch inspection and will kick off at 2:30pm as scheduled.
The playing surface at Aviva Stadium was examined this morning and declared fit for purpose despite the freezing conditions which have hit Dublin over the last 48 hours.
A statement released by the Irish Rugby Football Union read: ‘The playing surface has been passed fit to play as the undersoil heating has prevented any freezing of the pitch.
‘The game will begin as scheduled with a 2:30pm kick off.’
