Argentina beat Chile in first South American final

Argentina defeated Chile in the final of the first rugby league tournament to be staged in South America at the weekend.

The Primer Torneo Sudamericano Rugby League, held in Miramar, Argentina, featured teams from Argentina, Chile and Latin Heat Domestic team, which featured players from Brazil.

Both the Argentinian and Chilean national teams progressed through qualifying with perfect 3-0 records, setting the stage for a tense final.

The Argentine national side won the final 16-0, with their aggression, speed and offloading ability causing the Chileans problems.

The win marks the first time an Argentinian rugby league team has won in any form of the game, having not played since 2005.

It was also the first time a rugby league team representing Chile had been beaten by a Latin American opponent.

The Argentinian team formed a tunnel for the Chilean players at the end of the final. the Chilean team had travelled 30 hours by bus to play in the tournament.

The competition was also notable for featuring a female player.

Claudia Beltran, who plays for Newen in the Chilean competition, became the first ever female player to represent Latin America.

She travelled with the Chilean men’s team and played for the Latin Heat composite team.

QUALIFYING
1: Chile National 12 d Argentina Provincial 8
2: Argentina National 16 d Buenos Aires Selection 8
3: Argentina Provincial 20 d Latin Heat Domestic (feat Brasil) 0
4: Chile National 16 d Latin Heat Domestic (feat Brasil) 0
5: Argentina National 24 d Argentine Provincial 8
6: Buenos Aires Selection 20 d Latin Heat Domestic (feat Brasil) 12
7: Chile National 12 d Buenos Aires Selection 4
8: Argentina National 32 d Latin Heat Domestic (feat Brasil) 8
9: Argentina Provincial 16 d Buenos Aires Selection 8

FINAL
Argentina National 16 d Chile National 0 (12-0 halftime). Referees: Aaron Kesha & Juan Jasso.