11 Sep 2011

Youngs try gives England jittery win over Pumas

6:40 am on 11 September 2011

England has narrowly beaten Argentina 13-9 in their Rugby World Cup match at the new Otago Stadium.

Replacement halfback Ben Youngs scored the only try 15 minutes from time as England escaped with the jittery victory in a brutal clash in Dunedin that could determine which team tops Pool B.

No quarter was asked, or given, as both teams smashed into each other with the only scoring prior to Youngs' try with about 15 minutes remaining coming from penalties as both sides fell foul of referee Bryce Lawrence.

Both England first five eighth Jonny Wilkinson and Argentina's fullback Martin Rodriguez had a terrible day with the boot, with both missing five penalty shots at goal in the new indoor stadium.

Argentina captain Felipe Contepomi also missed a penalty before he went off with what appeared to be a rib injury midway through the first half.

France scored a 47-21 bonus point victory over Japan at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium.