Pumas face Japan next week with a quarter-final spot on the line
Argentina outhalf Nicolas Sanchez during his team's Rugby World Cup Pool D win over Chile at the Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes. Photograph: Getty ImagesArgentina asserted regional dominance with a 59-5 bonus-point win over a spirited Chile in the first all-South Americancontest on Saturday, setting up a crunch Pool D clash against Japan next week with a quarter-final spot on the line.
Outhalf Nicolas Sanchez opened the scoring in his 100th test with a fine individual try before flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez and veteran hooker Augustin Creevy rolled over the line on the back of mauls. Fullback Martin Bogado and winger Rodrigo Isgro crossed after the break before Martin Gonzalez added his second and replacements Ignacio Ruiz and Santiago Carreras put a gloss on the score.
Chile will head home from their first World Cup with four defeats but they drove replacement hooker Tomas Dussaillant over the line for a consolation try seven minutes from time, delighting their passionate supporters.