The Argentina Jaguars have won the ARC four times, and they looked good for number five after beating the USA Selects 41-14 Saturday in Langford, BC.

The first half of this Americas Rugby Championship opener looked very competitive as the USA and Argentina traded tries. The Americans were, predictably, under pressure in the scrums, and gave up a try thanks in part to trouble in tight. Dan Isaack was set free on the wing.

But the Eagles came off their heels and answered with a well-executed try. Flyhalf Adam Siddall popped a perfect kick to the wing where Tim Maupin caught it and raced in to score. Siddall added the conversion and the teams were tied 7-7.

Argentina continued to try to test the USA in the forwards, but the Americans battled and held strong. John Cullen had several impressive moments, poaching the ball and making tackles, but eventually it all had to break, especially as the penalties came. Rodrigo Baez and then Matias Diaz scored tries to make it 21-7.

But the half ended on a positive note, as some smart back play set Chad London free for a nicely-taken try and a 21-14 halftime score.

But the second half was not as good for the USA. The penalties mounted, but, maddeningly, they did also for Argentina. Repeated ruck infractions and offside from the Jaguars resulted in a few calls, but no yellow card until very late. Three tries and a penalty kick for Argentina, while the USA couldn't string things together - partly due to their own problems, and partly due to Argrntina being allowed to kill the ball in the ruck.

The USA will look at the first 40 of this game and see a team that was right with the defending champs. With Canada unimpressive victors over Uruguay, it seems clear the USA is still in with a serious shot of finishing second, as they did last year.

Argentina 41
Tries: Isaack (3), Baez, Diaz, Fernandez
Convs: Fernandez (3)
Pens: Fernandez (1)

USA 14
Tries: Maupin, London
Convs: Siddall (2)

USA Lineup
1. Nicholas Wallace
2. Phil Thiel
3. Olive Kilfi
4. John Cullen
5. Graham Harriman
6. Louis Stanfill (c)
7. Kyle Sumsion
8. Matthew Trouville
9. Shalom Suniula
10. Adam Siddall
11. Tim Maupin
12. Andrew Suniula
13. Chad London
14. Lemoto Filikitonga
15. Troy Hall
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16. Zachary Fenoglio
17. Benn Tarr
18. Hugh Angus Maclennan
19. Brian Doyle
20. Ben Pinkelman
21. Nate Auspurger
22. Justin Hundley
23. Tim Stanfill

Argentina Lineup
1. Lucas Noguera
2. Matias Cortese
3. Matias Dias
4. Guido Petti
5. Matias Alemano
6. Rodrigo Baez (c)
7. Javier Ortega Desio
8. Facundo Isa
9. Felipe Ezcurra
10. Patricio Fernandez
11. Dan Isaak
12. Bruan Ormson
13. Joaquin Paz
14. Facundo Barrea
15. Roman Miralles
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16. Roberto Tejerizo
17. Julian Montoya
18. Lucas Martinez
19. Juan Cruz Guillemain
20. Francisco Panessi
21. Gonzalo Bertranou
22. Ignacio Brex
23. Frederico Gimenez