Hello and welcome to our live coverage of tonight’s Rugby World Cup semi-final meeting between Argentina and New Zealand in Paris. Ciarán Kennedy here to bring you all the action as it happens. Even though we’ve had the best part of a week to digest Ireland’s World Cup exit, it’s still a sickener that Andy Farrell’s side are not involved tonight, but we’ll crack on regardless.
Kick-off is at 8pm Irish time at the Stade de France, where the All Blacks are heavy favourites to advance. Can the Pumas cause an upset? Let us know your score predictions in the comments below.
Murray Kinsella is in Paris for The 42 tonight, and you can find his preview here.
Last weekend was a sharp reminder that when the pressure is on in big World Cup games, the sides that stay composed and make their opportunities count are often the ones who succeed.
So if Argentina are to pull off a shock win over the All Blacks tonight [KO 8pm Irish time, RTÉ], it’s sure that they will need to be at their most clinical in attack as well as managing to cause the Kiwis frustration when they get into the Pumas’ 22.
Here’s a reminder of how the two teams line up tonight:
Argentina:
- 15. Juan Cruz Mallia
- 14. Emiliano Boffelli
- 13. Lucio Cinti
- 12. Santiago Chocobares
- 11. Mateo Carreras
- 10. Santiago Carreras
- 9. Gonzalo Bertranou
- 1. Thomas Gallo
- 2. Julián Montoya (c)
- 3. Francisco Gómez Kodela
- 4. Guido Petti Pagadizabal
- 5. Tomas Lavanini
- 6. Juan Martin Gonzalez
- 7. Marcos Kremer
- 8. Facundo Isa
Replacements:
- 16. Agustín Creevy
- 17. Joel Sclavi
- 18. Eduardo Bello
- 19. Matias Alemanno
- 20. Rodrigo Bruni
- 21. Lautaro Bazan Velez
- 22. Nicolas Sanchez
- 23. Matías Moroni
New Zealand:
- 15. Beauden Barrett
- 14. Will Jordan
- 13. Rieko Ioane
- 12. Jordie Barrett
- 11. Mark Telea
- 10. Richie Mo’unga
- 9. Aaron Smith
- 1. Ethan de Groot
- 2. Codie Taylor
- 3. Tyrel Lomax
- 4. Samuel Whitelock
- 5. Scott Barrett
- 6. Shannon Frizell
- 7. Sam Cane (captain)
- 8. Ardie Savea
Replacements:
- 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
- 17. Tamaiti Williams
- 18. Fletcher Newell
- 19. Brodie Retallick
- 20. Dalton Papali’i
- 21. Finlay Christie
- 22. Damian McKenzie
- 23. Anton Lienert-Brown
Referee: Angus Gardner [Australia].
KICK-OFF
We’re underway in Paris, where the rain has dried off just in time. Argentina kick-off after winning the toss.
4mins: Argentina 0 New Zealand 0
A good start by Argentina, who enjoy a spell of possession in the New Zealand 22 before losing the ball. Beauden Barrett then scuffs his clearance kick and Argentina have a lineout just inside the 22. Argentina win a penalty and opt for a shot at the posts.
PENALTY: Argentina 3 (Boffelli) New Zealand 0
5mins: Argentina 3 New Zealand 0
It’s a straightforward kick for Emiliano Boffelli and Argentina have the first points of the night. A good start for the Pumas.
8mins: Argentina 3 New Zealand 0
Heavy collision between Boffelli and Mark Telea after a chip through from Barrett. There’s no foul and after receiving some treatment, he’s ok to continue.
TRY: Argentina 3 New Zealand 5 (Jordan)
4mins: Argentina 3 New Zealand 7
That’s been coming. New Zealand go close after two lineouts in the Argentina 22 and after Aaron Smith and Same Cane both have a snipe, the ball is recycled and spun out to the opposite wing, where Will Jordan has all the time and space in the world. Richie Mo’unga converts and New Zealand move into the lead.
TRY: Argentina 3 New Zealand 12 (Jordie Barrett)
17mins: Argentina 3 New Zealand 12
New Zealand are flying now. Argentina apply some pressure but gain little ground before Telea gets in with the steal and New Zealand counter, with Mo’unga’s speed bringing them right up the pitch. They then move the ball brilliantly through the hands and after 10 phases, Jordie Barrett goes over in the corner. Mo’unga misses the conversion.
27mins: Argentina 3 New Zealand 12
This game needs something from Argentina. The Pumas struggling to get any sort of foothold in the game and the Stade has fallen flat. Argentina have had the majority of the territory but New Zealand’s defence has been excellent again.
PENALTY: Argentina 6 (Boffelli) New Zealand 12
35mins: Argentina 6 New Zealand 12
A Sam Cane knock-on gives Argentina a chance to attack. From the scrum Argentina launch an attack but New Zealand deal with everything so comfortably again, and eventually win a lineout and are able to clear, although Mo’unga’s kick isn’t his best. Argentina move back into the 22 and get to within inches of the tryline before a penalty is called against Jordie Barrett for not rolling away, and Argentina opt to go for the three points, with Boffelli splitting the posts. New Zealand will be happy enough with that.
PENALTY: Argentina 6 New Zealand 15 (Mo’unga)
38mins: Argentina 6 New Zealand 15
A gift of a penalty straight from the restart allows Mo’unga extend New Zealand’s lead again. That’s so frustrating for Argentina and Michael Cheika doesn’t look happy.
TRY: Argentina 6 New Zealand 20 (Frizell)
40mins: Argentina 6 New Zealand 20
So, so easy for New Zealand. Telea does really well to dance through a cluster of Argentina defenders before being brought to ground. Smith has a go, then New Zealand move the ball wide where Shannon Frizell can just walk it in. Mo’unga’s conversion hits the post but New Zealand are cruising now.
New Zealand haven’t reached the levels we saw against Ireland, but they haven’t needed to. Argentina won’t be happy with some of the refereeing but it’s been very one-sided, with New Zealand’s defence well on top. Argentina need a huge performance to turn this around in the second half and it’s hard to see that happening. We’ll be back shortly with all the second half action.
The second-half is underway in Paris. Tomas Lavanini is off for Argentina after picking up a bang in the first half.
TRY: Argentina 6 New Zealand 25 (Smith)
42mins: Argentina 6 New Zealand 27
Did nobody in the Argentina dressing room tell them to keep things tight? They give away a penalty from the restart, and from there the New Zealand scrum gets a huge shove before the ball comes to Smith, who throws not one, but two dummies on his way to scoring New Zealand’s fourth try of the night. Mo’unga converts and this could be a long 40 minutes for the Pumas.
TRY: Argentina 6 New Zealand 32 (Frizell)
50mins: Argentina 6 New Zealand 34
This is not a good look for a World Cup semi-final. New Zealand look like they’ll score with every entry to the 22, and this time Frizell gets his second after they go through a series of phases on the back of another good Mo’unga break. Mo’unga converts the score and New Zealand are now looking at breaking records. The biggest winning margin in a semi-final was New Zealand’s 49-6 defeat of Wales in 1987. Will we see that beaten tonight? Probably, based on how this is going…
59mins: Argentina 6 New Zealand 34
Argentina finally spark into life. A brilliant crossfield finds Boffelli but Ioane does reall well to get back and make the tackle. The Pumas win a penalty, go for the lineout and then it falls back into a familiar pattern as New Zealand just soak up everything before Argentina knock the ball on.
61mins: Argentina 6 New Zealand 34
Sam Whitelock is off, Brodie Retallick is on. There’s 20 minutes left and New Zealand have been able to empty their bench to rest players for the final.
TRY: Argentina 6 New Zealand 39 (Jordan)
63mins: Argentina 6 New Zealand 39
Will Jordan gets his second of the night and brings his Test tally to 30 tries in 30 games. That’s one of the easier ones, going over in the corner unopposed. Mo’unga drags the conversion wide from a tough angle.
YELLOW CARD: Scott Barrett
65mins: Argentina 6 New Zealand 39
Scott Barrett sent to the bin after a cynical grab of the ball while on the ground. Bit of a sloppy one from Barrett, but it won’t make the slightest difference really.
TRY: Argentina 6 New Zealand 44 (Jordan)
75mins: Argentina 6 New Zealand 44
Well that was a bit special. From a New Zealand lineout in their own half, they move the ball infield and a smart pass inside sets Jordan off. He darts forward and after an excellent chip and chase, scores his third of the night. That’s now eight tries for Jordan at this World Cup, level with Jonah Lomu (1995), Bryan Habana (2007) and Julian Savea (2015). Mo’unga misses the conversion again.
77mins: Argentina 6 New Zealand 44
Scott Barrett is back after his yellow card, but New Zealand decide to play out the final minutes with 14 men. This has been a mess of a semi-final.
80mins: Argentina 6 New Zealand 44
New Zealand should have had another but Mo’unga goes solo when Jordan was in acres of space and the out-half gets put to ground.
FULL-TIME: Argentina 6 New Zealand 44
It’s all over in Paris, and really, it was all over midway through the first half. A cake walk for New Zealand and a really poor spectacle at the Stade de France. Not that New Zealand will care – they’re now through to the World Cup final where they will take on the winners of tomorrow’s clash between South Africa and England. Hopefully we get a better contest there.
Thanks for joining our live coverage tonight, we’ll have Murray Kinsella’s match report and all the best reaction from Paris on site shortly. Slán.
I have never made a comment on this site and never will again after this one. The censorship is outrageous and not been able to comment on article’s is akin to a police state. Message to mods and owner’s close the site.
LoL
Good stuff lad. Best of luck and please keep us updated if you change your mind and want to comment again!
@: cheerio.
@: comment closed for 80% of articles JOKESHOP
@Kouklia Hills: 80% of the comments here are garbage.
Free Palestine
@ferrett: get a job,waster
@Brian molloy: I have a very good job mate you don’t know me
No interest. The tournament was so lopsided.
New zealand to win so so so easy 25 plus
@Sèan: I placed a wager on the handicap of 18points so here’s hoping your right.
@Ken Mc Carthy: your bet is safe
@Ken Mc Carthy: im right
@Rugbyanbeer: looking VERY safe now
They made some mess of the draw. They destroyed the thing. It finished last week. Thousands of tickets avaliable for these semis says it all
The referee is an absolute joke. So biased towards New Zealand
@Ronan Fleming: agreed, but TMO has a lot to answer for too
@Ronan Fleming: no surprise
@ElaineM12: 100 per cent
Come on Argentina!!
It’s a stroll, NZ get into 22 and score, looking like a 50 pointer
@Rugbyanbeer: its a yawn fest crowd dont care as well full off irish french fans
You’d swear NZ were losing by 20 hearing that crowd. Their supporters really are bad. Add absolutely nothing to a game
@Dave Moran: I’m sure there’d be more there ir Ryanair did 12000 mile cheap flights
Do it for Ireland please Argentina!
It was pure folly thinking we could beat these guys. New Zealand are different class.
@Ray – You are tiresome Ray. Ireland were a mismanaged maul away from beating NZ. Nothing between the top teams as we know. In much the same way that France beat NZ comfortably
@Darragh Freir: Ah Stop. When you play for 20 minutes with an extra man and never lead all game, you may forget about it.
@Ray Ridge: clueless
@Ray Ridge: we lost I don’t understand the need for a blame game,its sport nobody is entitled to win
@Ray Ridge: give it a rest. boring at this stage. that game was 50:50 and you know it, but hard for you to take.
@Ray Ridge: we have beaten them though in their own home patch no less which absolutely sickened them. Argentina are woeful, even England bet them
@Ray Ridge: says what you know about rugby, and being down to 14 doesn’t mean it gets any easier. The way rugby has gone teams train constantly in scenarios where their they get a yellow ir red.
@anthony davoren: only a friendly year before worldcup, look at the all blacks now, world cup final,
Comments closed on the other AB article ffs!
@Lulu: you’d have to wonder eh,!
Ireland by 20
No irish no french crowd dont care
@Pat Curran: It would’ve been great to see a France v Ireland final. It’s what I was hoping for, just like the majority of tonight’s supporters. I’m just hoping that the best possible final can occur, and it now looks like we’re halfway there.
What a joke of a world cup set up for a England & South Africa final. Prior to the start of the cup England wouldn’t beat snow of a rope now they are heading for the final. 5 best team in the world on same of compatatioñ hopefully Argentina will spoil the party and win it
@Joseph Brady: what
@Joseph Brady: they cant meet in the final
@Joseph Brady: semi
@Simon: you know nothing about rugby if England were in a strong group they be gone home after first round they got a easy draw
@Pat Curran: correct but either England or South Africa for the cup can’t have some small none rugby nation winning world cup
@Joseph Brady: I have one right now.
@Joseph Brady: why do you think its set up for England, when same thing happened in 2015 with Englands group having four of the five teams in the top 10, and they went home in group stage, was it set up for England then? Only surprise is it happened in 2015 due to groups been drawn 3 years in advance, yet they didn’t do anything so same happened again in 2023. England (like Munster start of last season) have improved game on game as coaches get more time with them. Ps good luck with that SA V Eng final happening.
@Joseph Brady: Joseph have you been smoking something?
@Joseph Brady: your not to up on it either,england are in a semi final against South Africa,the chances of them meeting in a final are pretty slim I would think.
@Joseph Brady: Joseph, it’s only your first sentence that’s screwed up. You meant semi-final, ya? And, you’re right, “England wouldn’t beat snow of a roof.” May that continue tomorrow.
New Zealand should blow these guys away. Tomorrow will be much more competitive.
@Ray Ridge: Should be, but it won’t.
@Ray Ridge: no s… sherlock
@Ray Ridge: As they are the only European team left in the competition, let’s go, lads. C’mon Eng, C’mon Eng. Nope, I just couldn’t say it. Lol.
@Ray Ridge: I bet if Ireland were playing Argentina, you’d be saying an Argentina win.
Go way ya langer.
Least we get back to real stuff tommorry and sunday
@Kevin Numpty: What’s on tommorry? England v South Africa? And Sunday?
New Zeland are like Kerry, the fans only show up when it means something like a final. Ireland had their chance, 14 v 15 for 60 mins. Them rankings are false anyways. Only 6 countries take the sport seriously.
@WFVedF99: 14v20 minutes, more fans would show up if Ryanair did cheap 12000 mile flights
Watching this makes it even worse.
So boring, no one cares anymore
RWC is a joke. Most matches are meaningless. Goes on for far too long. Why matches only at weekends??? Rugby union is still an 8 + 1 team sport. And in truth, only four, if even, are capable of winning the RWC.
Shambles
Different class. This is how it’s done folks.
All about ireland in world cup, no 1 in the world, when the big gam ecame again they fell apart, well done all blacks