A relatively rare day of sunshine in Dublin tempered by the score as we get second half under way
An 11-point lead at halftime for a hastily assembled Pumas team was not what head coach Andy Farrell would have envisioned on his home turf of the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
There is a lot of rustiness in a backline that also has a huge amount of potential to move through a lot more gears.
You sense that the Lions will come out firing here, anything else could spell a morale killer ahead of departing for Australia.
There are two objectives here, leave Dublin with no injuries and win in that order.
Here we go.
A reminder of the Wallabies squad
Lest we forget at half time, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt annnounced his extend squad ahead of facing Fiji for the first Test of the year on 6 July in Newcastle.
Thanks to my partner in the halves Iain Payten for this beautiful graphic below.
The major talking point was veteran playmaker James O’Connor missing out, but he could still absolutely feature in the AUNZ fixture against the Lions in Adelaide.
There is no place for Samu Kerevi or Marika Koroibete, with the centre stocks particularly looking a little slim.
Former Wallabies captain Dave Porecki is included ahead of scrummaging hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa.
Brumbies in-form halfback Ryan Longergan is still waiting for his shot, but we can fairly sure he will feature in the Rugby Championship.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen are back to full fitness, and the departing soon-to-be overseas trio of Noah Lolesio, Langi Gleeson and Tom Hooper are all included.
Last but not least, Taniela Tupou is included. If anyone can get the prop firing it is the scrum doctor Mike Cron. The series counts on it, especially judging by the pressure that Ellis Genge is putting Argentina tighthead Joel Sclavi in the scrums.
Even more worryingly, Genge is likely to be deputy to the even stronger Irish loosehead Andrew Porter.
Who have you got at half time?
Argentina score try just before half time
That is a dagger through the Lions’ hearts, they had all of the possession and Argentina pounced on a loose ball to run the ball all the way from the other end of the field with playmaker Tomas Albornoz getting his first try and converting it.
That’s halftime. Let’s catch our breath.
A mad, yet enthralling game of rugby so far.
Lions 10 Argentina 21
Lions’ Bundee Aki drives forward and over the lineCredit: AP
Lions living dangerously with another Pumas’ penalty
The Lions are getting parked on their line after a beautiful strike play from Argentina sends England full back Marcus Smith scrambling back to mop up and he’s carried over the line for a 5-metre scrum.
The Pumas aren’t able to breech the Lions’ defence, but they do take a penalty straight in front of the posts to extend their lead by 4 points just before half time.
Lions 10 Argentina 14
Jac Morgan with a brilliant turnover for the Lions
For so long, Jac Morgan has been almost a man fighting alone in an extremely poor Wales side, and he is looking good with far superior teammates.
He gets clocked in the head by tighthead prop Joel Sclavi, but still pops up with the steal.
Lions 10 Argentina 11
The referee James Dolman, right, blows for a try by Lions’ Bundee AkiCredit: AP
Argentina take a one point lead
Pablo Matera gets a jackal at the breakdown against this formidable Lions backrow who has mostly had its own way so far in Dublin.
Tomas Albornoz beautifully curls the ball off the tee to give his side a one-point lead.
This is a not an official Test, but judging by the Argentina players energy with every play, someone has forgotten to tell them.
Lions 10 Argentina 11
Ignacio Mendy of Argentina scores a try under pressure from Tommy FreemanCredit: Getty Images
So far, so frenetic
The Lions have had a matter of weeks to pull this team together, the Argentina team have had a week and a half.
We are seeing the lack of cohesion from both teams, but the unstructured play is making it exciting. The normal structured rugby we are used to seeing has gone out the window.
The cheapest seats in the Aviva Stadium were over 200 dollars and so far, the fans will be pleased with what they are seeing.
The Pumas are being led by Felipe Contempomi a man who knows Dublin very well after a decorated stint with Leinster, and the former master playmaker will be desperate to spoil the Lions farewell party.
Lions 10 Argentina 8
Argentina’s Ignacio Mendy, second right celebrates with teammates Credit: AP
Another Lions try rubbed out, but Aki bulldozes over soon after
Argentina breath another sigh of relief, a Sione Tuipulotu run in under the posts is pulled back for an earlier Argentina knock on.
There was a sense of inevitability when Irish centre Bundee Aki eventually bulldozed his way over. Aki and Tuipulotu are combining really nicely here in Dublin and this could easily be a Test pairing.
Fin Smith converts to give the Lions an early lead.
Lions 10 Argentina 8
Gonzalo Garcia of Argentina kicks the ball clear during the 1888 Cup international match between British & Irish Lions and ArgentinaCredit: Getty Images
Argentina get their first try of the game
20 years ago in Cardiff, the Pumas came and scared the Lions with a performance against the odds, and it is looking similarly at this early stage.
A really lovely string of passes puts away away Ignacio Mendy for a try that totally silences the Dublin crowd.
Lions 3 Argentina 8
Lions’ Fin Smith kicks a penalty goal during the Rugby Union international match between the British and Irish Lions and ArgentinaCredit: AP
