Falcon the hero as young Hurricanes beat Argentina U20 33-31 at Westpac Stadium

Fri 17th Mar

First five Tiaan Falcon showed nerves of steel to kick a match winning penalty for the Hurricanes 20s in the final play of an entertaining match against Argentina 20s at Westpac Stadium.

Falcon's penalty, from about 35 metres on the angle in tricky winds, came four minutes after the fulltime hooter, and sealed a 33-31 win for the young Hurricanes squad's first international fixture.

It was a dramatic finish to an action-packed match that appeared to have tipped Argentina's way when Tomas Albornoz slotted what appeared to be the deciding penalty with less than a minute to play.

Referee Vincent Ringrose rightly ruled there was time for one final play.

The Hurricanes 20s were awarded a penalty from the kick off, turned down the shot at goal from a wide angle into the wind, and kicked to the corner in a bid to score the match winning try.

Instead, the ball went wide after several phases where Ringrose penalised the visitors for a deliberate knock down, and Falcon stepped up and nailed the match winning kick.

Hawke's Bay pivot Falcon wasn't the only player to stand out for the Hurricanes 20s with Wellington wing Tuitama showing pace, smarts and skill throughout.

CAPTION:Hurricanes 20s wing Malo Tuitama scores one of his two tries against the Argentina 20s at Westpac Stadium. PHOTO: David Brownlie

Tuitama charged down a kick in the first minute to score the first try of the match and used his pace to shut down several promising attacks from the talented Pumas backline, but the visitors dominated the first half.

Argentina were particularly dangerous in the backs where centre Facundo Ferrario and first-five Juan Daireaux impressive as their team built an 18-11 halftime lead.

First half tries to wings Lopolodo Herrera and Tomas Malanos, the team's captain, and fullback Santiago Carreras summed up the young Pumas expansive approach.

Hurricanes 20s replacement hooker Asafo Aumua swung the momentum shortly after the break when he rumbled over to tie the scores at 18-18 and a see-saw battle ensued.

CAPTION: Hurricanes 20s wing Billy Proctor prepares to side step an Argentinian defender. PHOTO: David Brownlie.

Tuitama grabbed his second try, but Argentina responded with a penalty to Ferrario, and a second try to Herrera, as both sides continued to give the ball plenty of air.

When Hurricanes replacement fullback Luther Hirini scored it was all tied up again at 28-28, Falcon's conversion pushing his side ahead by two points as the clock wound down. CAPTION: Hurricanes 20s prop Alex Fidow crashes into the Pumas Under 20s defence. PHOTO: David Brownlie

In the 68th minute Argentina lost a player to the sin bin, but rallied to control possession and territory to set up replacement Tomas Albornoz for what appeared to be the winning penalty kick.

Instead, Falcon had the final say, the young playmaker finishing with a personal tally of 13 points as his teammates swarmed over him to celebrate a memorable win.

Scorers:

Hurricanes 20s: 33 (Malo Tuitama 2, Asafo Aumua, Luther Hirini tries; Tiaan Falcon 3 pen, 2 con) Argentina Under-20: 31 (Lopolodo Herrera 2, Santiago Carreras, Facundo Ferrario, Tomas Malanos tries; Ferrario pen, Tomas Alboronoz pen). HT: 18-11 (Argentina)