Hooker hat-trick hero as Tonga hang tough

Argentina Tonga 28 12 Hooker Julian Montoya led the way with a hat-trick of tries as Argentina beat Tonga 28-12 yesterday to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Tonga trailed 28-0 but rallied with two fine tries from fullback Telusa Veainu, who looked sharp on his return from a nagging foot injury.

Argentina lost their opening game to France. So coach Mario Ledesma’s line-up needed this bonus point win ahead of next weekend’s game against Pool C leaders England, the 2003 champions who have already beaten Tonga and the United States.

This was a comfortable win but the way Tonga got back into the game and pushed hard for a third try might concern Ledesma.

His changes included dropping mainstay first-five Nicolas Sanchez and handing Benjamin Urdapilleta his first start since June 2013.

Montoya had scored a try as a replacement in the 23-21 loss to France and took his tournament tally to four after replacing former captain Agustin Creevy in the starting XV.

These might prove the easiest tries he will get, such was Tonga’s poor defending early on.

Santiago Carreras was also a new pick on the left wing, and the 21-yearold got his first international try in a one-sided first half where Urdapilleta also slotted all four conversions.

A rout appeared imminent at this point with not even 30 minutes played but Tonga woke up with a well-taken try from Veainu — a neat sidestep into the left corner from the Leicester Tigers favourite.

Flanker Tomas Lavanini prevented a second Tonga try on halftime, barging wing David Halaifonua out in the left corner. The try was ruled out, although there were questions over the tackle.

After the break, the pace of the contest dropped at the humid 22,000-capacity Hanazono Rugby Stadium.

Argentine halfback Tomas Cubelli had a try ruled out in the 52nd minute for a knock-on, following a referral to the television match official.

Tonga improved and Veainu did well to squeeze into the right corner for a try confirmed after a review.

Sanchez went on as a replacement and missed a late penalty in a poor second half from Argentina.

Argentina 28 (J. Montoya 3, S. Carreras tries; B. Urdapilleta 4 cons) Tonga 12 (T. Veainu 2 tries; S. Takalua con). Halftime: 28-7.