Argentina subdues Georgia, Vickery banned

PARIS: Argentina ground down a resilient Georgia on Tuesday, sealing its second World Cup win in five days to keep the pressure on Pool D rivals France and Ireland.

The Pumas, angered at having to play so soon after Friday's surprise win against host France, endured plenty of frustration in Lyon before stretching away in the second half to win 33-3.

Argentina, who next faces Namibia in 11 days' time, sealed a bonus point with a late fourth try and have nine points from two games.

"It was a very tough game, they had a very good strategy and that meant it was very difficult to get the better of them," said Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda. "We knew it was going to be like that because almost all the players play in France."

"With only four days rest, there was no time to recover energy. Anyway we played better in the second half, with more speed and dynamism. I am very happy because we were looking forward to the bonus point."

Two Felipe Contepomi penalties had Argentina 6-3 ahead at the break before it finally broke Georgia's resistance when winger Lucas Borges crossed for the opening try on 47 minutes.

Borges struck again, lock Patricio Albacete trundled over for a third try and wing Federico Martin Aramburu sealed the bonus point with a fourth try a minute from time.

World champion England continue to lick its wounds off the field, coach Brian Ashton facing an injury and suspension headache after captain Phil Vickery was hit with a two-game ban.

Vickery will miss England's two most important pool matches - against South Africa on Friday and Samoa on September 22 - after he was punished for tripping US center Paul Emerick in the unimpressive 28-10 victory in its Cup opener on Saturday.

Big guns

England said it would consider lodging an appeal and has 48 hours to do so. Ashton has yet to name a replacement captain.

With Jonny Wilkinson, who missed the opening game with ankle ligament damage, not named on Tuesday to face the Springboks at the Stade de France, Ashton needs better news on his replacement Olly Barkley who suffered a hip flexor injury in training.

South Africa coach Jake White kept England guessing, saying he would reveal his starting team just 48 hours before kickoff as tournament rules allow.

While Vickery can at least look forward to a return to action, Emerick will play no further part in the tournament after he was hit with a five-week ban for a dangerous tackle on England's Barkley.

The American was punished for spearing Barkley into the ground.

South Africa flanker Schalk Burger will not play at this year's World Cup again unless his team reach the semifinals.

Burger was banned for four matches at a disciplinary hearing that ran into the early hours of Wednesday morning after he was found guilty of a dangerous tackle on Samoa scrumhalf Junior Polu in South Africa's 59-7 victory on Sunday.

A team spokesman said they would appeal against the verdict.

Tournament favorites New Zealand has made 11 changes for the Pool C match against Portugal in Lyon on Saturday.

Center Conrad Smith, who missed the opening victory against Italy with a hamstring injury, returns to the starting lineup for the first time since November.

Agencies

(China Daily 09/13/2007 page24)