Murrayfield misery for sorry Scots

By WYNNE GRAY

ARGENTINA 25

SCOTLAND 16

EDINBURGH - The best Scotland could say was that the All Blacks remained "the ultimate challenge," but after their 25-16 defeat by Argentina that target looks like mission impossible for the test at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Both sides were hampered by wet conditions yesterday, but Scotland's deficiencies were exposed in being unable to break down a determined, yet limited, visiting side.

Argentina attacked the breakdowns where they committed more players to slow down possession and the stilted Scots' backline had little variation or penetration.

At the breakdowns Argentina won 13 turnovers to six and were able to regenerate many drives from that stolen possession.

The Scots have not beaten Argentina since 1990 when they won 49-3 in Edinburgh in the first test between the two teams.

Even the enigmatic Gregor Townsend could not save Scotland as Felipe Contepomi booted home 20 points for the Pumas.

First five-eighths Townsend is a talented runner, but was shut down by a strong defence and his kicking had no depth or precision to turn the pressure back on Argentina.

His goalkicking was also very patchy, while Contepomi goaled each of his seven attempts in another precision afternoon for the Puma pivot.

In the midfield, John Leslie has lost confidence, pace and decisiveness, while outside him James McLaren was used as the point of attack. He ran strongly, but did not have the support to recycle quick ball to turn the Pumas round.

The lineout was the Scots' strength. Scott Murray is a strong jumper and much of their work centred on his aerial ability.

But the lack of drive against a powerful Pumas pack meant Scotland were blunted in most areas of the field.

They made a high percentage of errors and were largely ineffective in trying to breach the gain line.

They were not as woeful as Wales the week before, but still looked a long way short of being in the leading group of international sides.

While Scotland were left wondering how drastic their fate might be this weekend, Argentina were left with victories against Wales and the Scots, and rising confidence about their test with the All Blacks in Buenos Aires in a fortnight.

"The All Blacks are a different proposition altogether," coach Marcelo Loffreda said.

"But we have to continue with our confidence and then compare ourselves with the All Blacks. We played them this year and lost by a big score, and our aim is to reduce that deficit in the test coming up."

Argentina felt they were in the top dozen sides in the world and that on their day could beat any of those teams. They had shown by beating everyone in the Six Nations, except England, that their ability was increasing.

They continue to deliver a potent scrum and a ravaging loose trio. Halfback Augustin Pichot is the master director of the close-in running that his forwards favour. They are effective at making ground by transferring short passes in traffic.

In the wet yesterday they showed they can adapt to different conditions, something the All Blacks will have to come to terms with when they travel to the heat of Buenos Aires.

Scotland led 8-6 at halftime.