Marcos Ayerza and Argentina put themselves within touching distance of the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a win against Tonga, before celebrating the result at Welford Road.The Pumas enjoyed a special post-match reception in the Tryline Club in the Goldsmiths Stand at the home of Leicester Tigers after their 45-16 victory against Tonga.
Ayerza played 65 minutes of the Pumas bonus-point victory, while his Tigers teammate Opeti Fonua was introduced as a 61st-minute replacement for Tonga.
Cheered on from the stands by football great Diego Maradona, Argentina fly-half Nicolas Sanchez scored one of their five tries and kicked four conversions and four penalties. Joaquin Tuculet, Juan Imhoff, Julian Montoya and Santiago Cordero were the other Argentina try-scorers.
Tonga scored two tries of their own through fly-half Kurt Morath, who kicked two penalties, and by prop Soane Tonga’uiha.
The win leaves Argentina second in Pool C behind defending champions New Zealand with one pool game to come, against Namibia on Sunday, needing a point to secure their place in the last knockout stages.
Many of their supporters and rugby fans warmed up for the game at Welford Road and enjoyed post-match entertainment at Tigers’ free World Cup Fanzone.
Based on the plaza outside Welford Road stadium, the Tigers Wheelchair Rugby team demonstrated their skills, promoted their sport and allowed fans to have a go too.
The Tigers roadshow vehicle, The Maul, allowed supporters to take a commemorative photo in front of a Tigers backdrop, to take the Speed Pass Challenge and test themselves on the Tigers Tackle Bag.
The Matt Hampson Foundation brought their Speed Cage, while the Junior Tigers Club team put on activities for younger fans.
The Tigers Fanzone opens again next Sunday around the Argentina versus Namibia match, and there will be live music too, both before and after the game.
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Tigers welcome Argentina to Welford Road
5 October 2015 10:50 AM
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