Fly-half guides Pumas to convincing 47-17 victory over USA in Kumagaya.

Nicolas Sanchez, the leading points scorer at Rugby World Cup 2015 but mysteriously surplus to requirements in Saturday’s defeat by England, returned to Argentina’s ranks to orchestrate a big win against USA.

Sanchez scored the opening try, kicked 10 points, and gave a convincing reprise of his influential role four years ago.

Liberated by their 19-5 half-time lead, Argentina ran the ball at every opportunity in the second half, their pace and changes of direction proving too much for the Americans.

It has been a disappointing campaign for Mario Ledesma’s team, but this win at least confirms their place in France in four years’ time.

The big surprise was that neither side had scored before Sanchez broke the deadlock after 18 minutes. First, right-winger, Bautista Delguy lost his footing with only USA full-back Mike Te’o to beat and then the TMO ruled out a try under the posts by scrum-half Felipe Ezcurra for obstruction.

USA also came close, pounding the Argentina line but missing what proved a rare opportunity when AJ MacGinty’s pass went to ground.

When it arrived, the opening try underlined Argentina’s counter-attacking prowess. Sanchez exchanged passes with Juan Cruz Mallia and put his head down. Across came Te’o but Sanchez rolled out of a bulldozing tackle, pictured above, with the ball and touched down.

Six minutes later, Sanchez kicked ahead with his left foot, bamboozling Te’o with a cruel bounce and giving full-back Joaquin Tuculet an easy score.

Tuculet scored again 10 minutes later, taking Sanchez’s pass and ducking under a high tackle from Paul Lasike.

Little had gone right for USA, but they cut the deficit when Lasike’s run set up MacGinty for an exquisite grubber kick that Blaine Scully, the captain, touched down on the right.

The result – and Argentina’s bonus point – was settled when Player of the Match Mallia popped over unopposed after 43 minutes; four minutes later Sanchez sent Mallia scampering 40 metres for his second try.

Jeronimo de la Fuente, sent clear by Santiago Carreras, joined in the fun with Argentina’s sixth try, so it was to USA’s credit that Lasike powered over for a well-merited touchdown.

There was still time, though, for replacement Gonzalo Bertranou to score Argentina’s seventh try and Scully scored his second after the gong.