Ireland A beat Canada, Argentines down US in rugby

A late surge propelled Ireland A past Canada 30-19 while the Argentina Jaguars romped over the United States 35-14 in Churchill Cup rugby on Wednesday.

Ireland A's opening tournament win set it up for a berth in next week's final, while eliminating Canada from reaching its first Churchill final.

The Irish need only win on Sunday against Georgia _ which was beaten by Canada 42-10 last weekend _ to guarantee making the June 21 final. Favored from the other pool are the England Saxons, which beat the Jaguars 28-20 last Saturday and meet the U.S. this weekend at Infinity Park.

Canada, thanks to the boot of Ander Monro, who netted 14 points, clung to a 19-16 lead with 11 minutes to go against Ireland A. But then the Irish earned a penalty try to take the lead for a third and final time, and added their fourth try in the last minute through replacement hooker Denis Fogarty.

Jaguars midfielder Benjamin Urdapilleta made the United States pay for its mistakes with a 22-point haul, including six penalties and conversions to both second-half tries for wingers Agustin Gosio and Belisario Agulla.

The U.S. went ahead 11-6 in the 31st minute when fullback Gavin DeBartolo crossed while Jaguars flanker Leonardo Senatore was in the sinbin. However, a drop goal by Lucas Barrera Oro and Urdapilleta's third penalty restored the lead for the Jaguars by halftime.

Gosio's converted try in the first minute of the new half pushed the Jaguars to 19-11, the U.S. closed to within five, but three more penalties put the Jaguars out of reach, capped by Agulla's converted try with six minutes to go.

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Scores:

Ireland A 30 (Denis Hurley, Fergus McFadden, Denis Fogarty tries, penalty try; Jonathan Sexton 2 conversions, Niall O'Connor 2 penalties), Canada 19 (Phil Mack try; Ander Monro 3 penalties, conversion, drop goal). HT: 13-16.

Argentina Jaguars 35 (Agustin Gosio, Belisario Agulla tries; Benjamin Urdapilleta 6 penalties, 2 conversions, Lucas Barrera Oro drop goal), United States 14 (Gavin DeBartolo try, 2 penalties, Dan Power penalty). HT: 12-11.