The USA Selects put in a much more impressive performance Saturday against the Argentina Jaguars compared to four days ago.

The USA team lost, but battled all the way in a 28-23 decision to a strong Jaguars team at Padre Ernesto Martearena stadium.

Troy Hall sets up to tackle someone much bigger than he.
Rodrigo Vergara photos.

The Jaguars scored early with a try from wing Manual Montero, and it looked like it might be another rout for the hosts.

But the USA team nailed down their defense, and then tied the game when flanker John Quill went over after 16 minutes. AJ MacGinty converted that score, and then added a penalty closer to halftime to give the USA Selects a 10-7 lead.

The lead didn’t last as the Jaguars put hooker Santiago Iglesias Valdez over just before the break. Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias converted to give the Jaguars a 14-10 lead.

But the USA put on more pressure, and MacGinty looked comfortable in directing the Selects’ attack. That led to two MacGinty penalties to put the USA Selects back in front 16-14.

But close to the midpoint of the second half, lock Pablo Matera scored, and with Iglesia’s conversion, the Jaguars now led 21-16. Seven minutes later, prop Tomas Cubelli’s try made it 28-16.

At this point the USA Selects could well have folded, but they buckled down and MacGinty capped off a nicely-worked backline play to score. That made it 28-23 with nine minutes to go, but the USA team could not punch in the game winner.

Still it was an improvement for the USA Selects, who beat Uruguay in the first game of their tour before losing 54-6 to the Jaguars with a very inexperienced team. This was closer to a squad of best-available non-pros, and they matched up well with the Jaguars.

USA 23

Tries: Quill, MacGinty

Convs: MacGinty 2

Pens: MacGinty 3

Argentina 28

Tries: Montero, Valdez, Matera, Cubelli

Convs: Iglesias 4

Referee: Joaquin Montes