Instead, Argentina hit back with two fine second-half tries through Emiliano Boffelli and Santiago Carreras and overcame England’s shorter comebacks to claim victory. Boffelli was outstanding throughout, finishing with 25 points, such was his accuracy off the tee. It was their ability to claw their way back whenever England took the lead that will please Michael Cheika most – and infuriate his old team-mate Jones. Indeed, it’s a first win for Cheika over Jones in eight attempts, perhaps he should spend half the week coaching rugby league more often. That defeat was England’s fourth from their last six matches, the resilience they showed in the second two Tests against Australia has now been forgotten and there will be questions about Owen Farrell’s captaincy, as will his side’s inability to close out match. Ultimately, what is most concerning is the turmoil from which England have so often struggled to emerge. “Dull,” was Jones’s reflection on a stop-start contest, but not too long ago, it was England’s strength that they would win these ugly encounters. There was little direction in attack, apart from a couple of powerful attacks from Joe Cokanasiga, and an impressive debut for a midfield combination of Marcus Smith, Farrell and Manu Tuilagi. Throw in ill-discipline and an inability to hold on to a lead they fought back, largely thanks to a superb solo effort from substitute Jack van Poortvliet, and it could be a long November ahead with New Zealand and South Africa also at Twickenham. Argentina, lest we forget, are England’s first opponents at next year’s World Cup. There is time to put things right, and Jones spoke of individual mistakes rather than structural faults, but suddenly the dark clouds that loomed over this team in March after another terrible Six Nations campaign are back. Joe Cokanasiga roars with excitement after scoring England’s first try. Photo: Alex Davidson/RFU/The RFU Collection/Getty Images England have developed a habit of starting campaigns late. Jones blames the fact that he has so many different clubs to choose from that every time they come together, international habits have to be relearned. Add in the biblical weather in south-west London and Twickenham was hardly buzzing with anticipation in the minutes before kick-off. In the early stages kicking from the depths was the order of the day. On the first four occasions Smith touched the ball and kicked it. In the fifth he passed to Farrell, who put his foot down anyway. When England did get on the front foot, their handling – Billy Vunipola the most obvious culprit – let them down and it was Argentina who took the lead with the first of Boffelli’s six penalties. Farrell and Boffelli then traded quick-fire penalties, but after the quarter, England began to show an intent to put the ball out of hand. Cokanasiga, in particular, looked busy and it was he who scored the first try in the 25th minute. Ben Youngs clever flick led to a scramble and from there Cokanasiga took a short ball and thundered away. It was a 12th try in 13 Test appearances for Cokanasiga, all but two of which have come at Twickenham. He has played so little for the Baths in recent years that you wonder why Jones sticks with him at times, but then you see him in this mood and the penny drops. The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the action of the week covered Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. However, England could not shake their habit of letting Argentina back in soon after the goal, and a third Boffelli penalty kept the home side’s lead to just one point. A strong England push into the Argentina half gave Farrell the chance to push the lead to four at the break – about as much as they deserved, but with little margin for comfort. England were completely out of their comfort zone when Boffeli finished with an effort into the left corner to take back the lead. It came from a line down the right and Matías Moroni’s pass to Santiago Carreras sent England reeling before Boffelli showed the pace to finish in the corner. After Santiago Carreras’ breakaway effort with just under half an hour to go, England had slipped into the danger zone Jones had warned of, eight points down against a Pumas side with their tails high. Van Poortvliet was on the pitch – on his England debut on home soil – for just seconds, but he raced towards the line and had the speed to get there. Farrell fired England back in front and the home side looked likely winners at that stage, but Boffelli responded to turn the tide on Jones’ side. Farrell restored England’s lead again before Boffelli had the final say after the hosts once again gave away a penalty within his reach. Making a mistake once is forgiven, making it twice leaves Jones with a lot to think about.
