Fullback Federico Serra scored a personal-best 19 points to lead Argentina to a 24-6 victory over a second-string Italian side in Mendoza, Argentina on Saturday.

The victory in the World Cup warm-up over its latin cousin boosted Argentina's record to 9-1-4 against Italy since their first match in 1978.

Argentina was without injured kicker Federico Todeschini, sidelined with a muscle pull after a recent two-test sweep against Ireland.

Serra filled Todeschini's place capably, notching a converted try and four penalties while missing only two kicks during the game before 20,000 fans at a soccer stadium in western Argentina.

"We were very focused today and our defense held up well," said winger Francisco Leonelli, the other Pumas tryscorer.

Leonelli and Serra scored their tries five minutes apart in a fast-paced first half for the Pumas to have the result in hand at 18-3 by the break.

The Italians' desperation to bridge the deficit made them commit too many penalties, and their cause was further hindered by playing 20 minutes of the second half without flanker Josh Sole then captain and prop Andrea Lo Cicero, both of whom were yellow-carded and gave Serra both of his second-half penalties.

Serra, playing only his sixth test since 2003, hit his first penalty in the second minute. But despite some good ball handling and open play by both sides, tough defense prevented any scoring for the next 23 minutes.

Then Serra scuttled through the defense, center Martin Gaitan broke it open, and Manuel Contepomi flicked a crisp pass to the speedy Leonelli for the first try.

Serra hit the post with the ensuing conversion kick, but made up for it in the 30th minute when he took a long pass and eluded a defender to score the second try, which he converted for 15-0.

Italy fullback David Bortolussi notched the visitors' first points with his first penalty after flanker Roberto Mandelli stole a Pumas lineout throw-in, but Serra restored the 15-point gap with his second penalty, from 45 meters.

The restart saw Argentina continue to dominate possession and territory, though Bortolussi managed to score Italy's remaining points off a penalty four minutes into the half.

Three minutes later, a rolling maul to the line ended with Sole being sinbinned and Serra kicking over the penalty.

In the 67th, yet another scrum collapse by the pressured Italians led to Lo Cicero's yellow card, and Serra's last points.

Moments later, the hapless Italians had a try disallowed when video replay showed Sole knocked on.

Scores:

Argentina 24 (Francisco Leonelli, Federico Serra tries; Serra 4 penalties, conversion), Italy 6 (David Bortolussi 2 penalties). HT: 18-3.    AP 

In Italian: Pumas spietati, Italia k.o.

Gli azzurri di Berbizier reggono in mischia nel primo tempo, ma poi la pressione dell'Argentina diventa insostenibile. Finisce 24-6 per i sudamericani. Infortunio per Canavosio.

 All'Italia non basta una buona difesa e un mare di placcaggi. Davanti a 25.000 spettatori, gli azzurri subiscono la pressione dei Pumas e perdono 24-6, senza mai riuscire a creare delle azioni da meta. Gli unici punti arrivano dai 2 calci di Bortolussi, che però, con un'indecisione difensiva, ha propiziato l'azione della seconda meta argentina, segnata dall'estremo Serra (tra i migliori, insieme al numero 8 Leguizamon e al centro Gaitan). La prima, sempre nel primo tempo, era stata segnata dall'ala Leonelli.