Jonny Wilkinson crowned his return to international rugby with the crucial penalty; seven minutes into injury-time after the Pumas had threatened to pull off a major shock. It is eighteen months since the England outside-half last played at Test level when he struck the winning goal in the Rugby World Cup Final in Australia.While the stakes may not have been so high on his return, his coolness in front of goal at least saved the Lions’ blushes after an unconvincing first outing.
Almost 62,000 turned out to give the Lions a heart-felt send-off before they fly out to New Zealand tomorrow for the start of an eleven match tour that culminates with a three-Test series against the world beating All Blacks, but Head Coach Sir Clive Woodward knows his team will need to make huge improvements if they are to return as victors.
The Lions, who featured six players each from Ireland and England as well as three Welshmen, looked like a side that were unfamiliar with each other as they fell 13-0 behind to an under-strength Pumas outfit after quarter-of-an-hour. Jose Nunez Piossek went over in the corner inside just seven minutes while outside-half Federico Todeschini converted and added two penalties.
The wealth of talent within the Lions ranks finally clicked when Wilkinson delivered a clever pass to English centre Ollie Smith who barged over after sixteen minutes. Wilkinson converted and added two penalties but the boot of his opposite man saw a spirited Argentina side go into the break 19-16 ahead. The outside-halves continued to exchange penalties during an error-strewn second half that was dominated by the Lions but that brought little return against a stubborn Pumas defence. Shane Williams and replacement Shane Horgan both going close.
At 25-22 behind, the game looked to have slipped from the Lions grasp when Gordon D’Arcy dropped a pass out wide after normal time had elapsed until Wilkinson stepped up late on to steal a draw for Owen’s men that they scarcely deserved.
British Lions: Try – O Smith, Con – J Wilkinson, Pens – J Wilkinson (6)
Argentina: Try – JN Piossek, Con – F Todeschini, Pens – F Todeschini (6)
Attendance: 61,569
