Argentina 16-24 Scotland: Andy Robinson's Scots aim to do double over Pumas

SCOTLAND did what no other Test playing nation has achieved previously as Andy Robinson's men completed a dramatic win against Argentina in Tucuman.

• A last ditch tackle by Argentina's Martin Rodriguez prevents Scotland wing Sean Lamont from scoring.

The Pumas had never lost in the rugby-mad city in seven previous fixtures and after scoring two early, soft tries Scotland's disastrous record against Argentina looked set to continue.

But cometh the hour, cometh the man – step forward Dan Parks and take a bow – the Scotland No.10 produced a truly magnificent performance to bag all 24 points in his side's unlikeliest of wins.

Parks shone as Scotland came from 13-6 down to claim a 24-16 win, the rejuvenated fly-half landing six penalties and two drop goals.

Robinson stopped short of calling Scotland's comeback one of his nation's finest on foreign soil – but that was exactly what the former England boss had just witnessed.

"The guys worked very hard and the front row was tremendous," said Robinson.

"We had to control the scoreboard in the second half.

"I was pretty frustrated first half, but I thought we had a good shape. Everybody worked together in a disciplined fashion.

"The outside backs worked well, we got the ball to the outside channels, the line-out was pleasing, although in one line-out we lost and they scored.

"I want to say that we've got to improve. There is still a long way for us to go, a lot of improvements. This is just a start.

"We are very pleased with the result, really pleased with the attitude of the whole squad, but next week's game is going to be very, very tough.

"We have the opportunity to get back-to-back wins in Argentina, which not many teams have done.

"We are pleased with the fact we are the first team to win in Tucuman on the back of the Ireland victory as well."

Tries by Argentina's Gonzalo Tiesi and Juan Manuel Leguizamon helped the Pumas build up a 13-12 half-time advantage, which coupled with Scotland's needless errors looked an insurmountable lead.

As bad as Scotland were in the opening 40 minutes, the presence of Parks kept them in touch as he landed three penalties and a drop goal to keep the Pumas within touching distance.

Such accuracy with the boot ensured the luckless Argentineans could not build up the lead maybe their first-half showing deserved.

Felipe Contepomi may have been away from the international scene for an elongated period following serious injury, but the Pumas demonstrated why class is permanent during his side's opening try.

A turnover on the edge of Argentina's own 22 led to Contepomi mounting a charge from deep, exchanging passes with Horacio Agulla before slipping the ball through to Tiesi, who raced over the line.

Parks and Contepomi exchanged penalties before the former missed his next effort with the boot.

Although not obvious at the time, perhaps the key moment in the game arrived midway through the break as Contepomi intercepted a stray pass and looked set to go in for a score of his own until Nick De Luca made a vital tackle to keep his side in the game.

Parks brought Scotland back to 8-6 with a penalty but Argentina soon raced back into a lead as Leguizamon scored the Pumas' second try.

The try was controversial – the flanker ran on to Agulla's pass, burst through the Scottish defence and appeared to have fallen just short of the line with his touch down.

But, after consulting the television match official, English referee Dave Pearson awarded the try, Contepomi again missing the conversion.

Parks brought Scotland back into the game with a long-range penalty, while the game appeared to be turning the way of Robinson's men just before the break as try-scorer Leguizamon was sin-binned for not rolling away.

Parks' drop-goal ensured the narrowest of leads for Argentina at the break.

When Parks' penalty put Scotland 15-13 ahead in the 53rd minute, the visitors suddenly started to look assured.

Parks added a further two penalties and a drop goal as Scotland claimed only their third win in ten encounters against Argentina.

"It was good today – I missed a few but it was good to win and what a great feeling," said an elated Parks.

"It has been a slow week for us – we got here last weekend and it has taken a bit of time for us to warm up. Now we have blown the cobwebs off – we feel great and can't wait for next weekend. We're just looking forward to Monday training now and doing the double – that's why we came here.

"We played a lot of good rugby, a lot of guys got their hands on the ball and did really well and we're now looking to do much the same next week."

Scotland flanker John Barclay praised his side's spirit and revealed he never had any doubt Scotland would repeat the victory of two years ago when they met Argentina in the first test.

The Glasgow Warriors flanker, who won his 19th cap for Scotland this weekend, was part of the side that defeated the Pumas 26-14 in the second Test in 2008.

"I think we are in a good place right now," said Barclay.

"The World Cup right now is still a long way away and a lot of changes can happen so we are not going to read too much into what is happening at the moment.

"Robbo (Andy Robinson) has been a breath of fresh air since he came in – he has brought a hard edge and winning mentality.

"I think there is something like 15 games before the World Cup, no-one is thinking about it.

"Our only focus is to win these two games but I honestly don't think it will have much impact on how we perform in 2011.

"The Ireland result is in the back of our heads right now.

"It is always good to beat any team away from home but we needed to show that was not a one-off and start doing it on a regular basis."

Scorers:

Argentina: Tries: Tiesi, Leguizamon; Penalties: Contepomi (2).Scotland: Penalties: Parks (6); Drop goals: Parks (2).

Argentina: M Rodriguez; L Borges (L Amorosino 48), G Tiesi, S Fernandez, H Agulla; F Contepomi (c), A Lalanne; R Roncero, M Ledesma, M Scelzo (M Ayerza 45), M Carizza (M Galarza 60), P Albacete, Fessia, JM Leguizamon, JM Fernandez Lobbe.

Scotland: H Southwell; M Evans, N De Luca, G Morrison, S Lamont; D Parks, R Lawson (M Blair 55); A Jacobsen, R Ford (S LAwson 74) M Low, J Hamilton, A Kellock (c), K Brown, J Barclay, J Beattie (A Strokosch 70).