PARIS—Argentina ground down a resilient Georgia on Tuesday, sealing their second World Cup win in five days to keep the pressure on Pool D rivals France and Ireland.
The Pumas, angered at having to play so soon after Friday's surprise win over hosts France, endured plenty of frustration in Lyon before stretching away in the second –half to win 33-3.
Argentina, who next face Namibia in 11 days' time, sealed a bonus point with a late fourth try and have nine points from two games.
"It was a very tough game, they had a very good strategy and that meant it was very difficult to get the better of them," said Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda. "We knew –it was going to be like that because almost all the players play in France."
"With only four days rest, there was no time to recover energy. Anyway we played better in the second half, with more speed and dynamism. I am very happy because we were looking forward to the bonus point."
Two Felipe Contepomi penalties had Argentina 6-3 ahead at the break before they finally broke Georgia's resistance when winger Lucas Borges crossed for the opening try on 47 minutes.
Borges struck again, lock Patricio Albacete trundled over for a third try and wing Federico Martin Aramburu sealed the bonus point with a fourth try a minute from time.
World champions England continue to lick their wounds off the field, coach Brian Ashton facing an injury and suspension headache after captain Phil Vickery was hit with a two-game ban.
Vickery will miss England's two most important pool matches–against South Africa on Friday and Samoa on Sept. 22–after he was punished for tripping U.S. centre Paul Emerick in the unimpressive 28-10 victory in their Cup opener on Saturday.
Wilkinson out
England said they would consider lodging an appeal and have 48 hours to do so. Ashton has yet to name a replacement captain.
With Jonny Wilkinson, who missed the opening game with ankle ligament damage, not named on Tuesday to face the Springboks at the Stade de France, Ashton needs better news on his replacement Olly Barkley who suffered a hip flexor injury in training.
South Africa coach Jake White kept England guessing, saying he would reveal his starting team only 48 hours before kickoff as tournament rules allow.
While Vickery can at least look forward to a return to action, Emerick will play no further part in the tournament after he was hit with a five-week ban for a dangerous tackle on England's Barkley.
The American was punished for spearing Barkley into the ground.
Tournament favourites New Zealand have made 11 changes for the Pool C match against Portugal in Lyon on Saturday.
Centre Conrad Smith, who missed the opening victory over Italy with a hamstring injury, returns to the starting lineup for the first time since November.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry dismissed suggestions that the game against a largely amateur team would be a meaningless mismatch, saying: "I think these games are useful. Teams that are developing will progress from the experience".
There are three matches on Wednesday with Italy looking to rebound from their 76-14 defeat by the All Blacks when they take on Pool C rivals Romania in Marseille (1800).
Tonga take their Pool A bow against the United States in Montpellier (1200) while Japan and Fiji meet in Toulouse (1600) in a Pool B encounter.
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