Los Pumas put Italy to the sword

Argentina notched up a ninth successive victory over Italy with a convincing 50-18 win in Udine on Saturday to kick off their November international campaign.

Los Pumas scored seven tries for a record victory over the Italians to set themselves up nicely for back-to-back matches to come against Ireland and France.

Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada, a former Argentina flyhalf, had predicted that his team would be ring rusty and so it proved in a largely toothless display that left the home side without a win over Argentina since 2008.

The most recent home Italian win over Los Pumas was in 1998 and that never looked like being matched as defensive frailties were exposed throughout the 80 minutes.

Tomas Albornoz opened the scoring for Argentina with a third-minute penalty.

Italy then suffered a blow just minutes later when star full-back Ange Capuozzo left the field after a heavy blow to the head that left the Toulouse player floored.

Things turned worse when Juan Cruz Mallia pounced on a loose ball to run in from 80 metres, Albornoz converting.

Martin Page-Relo pushed a long-range penalty wide as Italy struggled to break Los Pumas' defensive grip.

Gonzalo Betranou crossed for Argentina's second try after Rodrigo Isgro soared to claim an up-and-under, the ball worked back to Juan Martin Gonzalez whose pass was knocked back by Italy's Paolo Garbisi into the path of the scrumhalf.

Albornoz converted to make it 17-0 after 30 minutes, but Italy got themselves into the game when English referee Matthew Carley awarded a penalty try after Juan Martin Gonzalez pulled down an Italian maul with the tryline in sight.

Gonzalez also saw yellow for that act, but Italy could not fully capitalise on their numerical advantage despite a Federico Ruzza