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.
Fully deserved win for the Pool. Badly needed and should give them the confidence going into the Moscow game on Tuesday.
“Mignolet hopelessly flapped at the subsequent corner”??? He got nowhere near flapping at it as he was being clearly hauled back by Okazaki and it was as clear a free-out, terrible description of what was really happening.
@Hakaman: balanced out tbf with the offside
Great win after the midweek defeat. …. much needed aswell. Well done pool
But but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but Y.N.W.A just when they thought we were out they pulled us back in.. The Mancs looking dicey, just in time. We will wollop them !
@Mrs. Nugent: Do not make me laugh. You’re the ones looking dicey from a defensive aspect.
@Conor Cahill: but your team haven’t played a decent team yet this season
@Jamie: and look what happened when you did , at least we are winning games that’s your first win in September and it’s nearly October
@Hoof Hearted: yea we bet Arsenal 4-0 wasn’t it?As for city what can say they’re the top club in England with the best coach in the world
@Jamie: why don’t you support city if you feel so strong about them
@Hoof Hearted: that is like something a 7 year old would say
@Jack: Thats hoof/johnny bla bla for u
@Jack: he is 7
@Jack: I know he’s unreal isn’t he
@Hoof Hearted: you dim witted person !
@Mrs. Nugent: tell me ,did Couts kiss the badge after scoring
@Tensing Norgay: a quick glance thru your twitter shows you support Manchester United did De Gea kiss the United badge when he was forced to stay at United?and did Ronaldo do the same when he wasn’t let leave United for another year to go to Madrid
@Tensing Norgay: or did Tevez kiss the city crest when he left United
@Jamie: Boom !
@Tensing Norgay: or has Rooney ever kissed the United crest even though Everton is his boyhood club?
@Jamie: Who ? pricess Fiona ?
@Mrs. Nugent: does she drive a VW beetle?
@Jamie: obsessed
Jamie would you ever get real man.Ragmen is right we all sneered and jeered him for putting in a soccer transfer request. This guy is only here today because the board of Liverpool FC decided not to grant his transfer. And don’t start me on Luis Suarez who manufactured his move by creating an unspeakable act against a fellow player. I get you’re trying to hit on the Manchester guys but save the untrue stuff for your backyard when you need to impress your buddies
@Sherman Berstein: maybe snowflakes like you did but if you were South American would you rather play in damp cold England or go to sunny Spain and play for the best team in the world?
@Jamie: WOW man you do really have the mental age of a first grader. Good luck with that buddy
@Jamie: fighting with your own fans now what a loser
@Sherman Berstein: ah yea go for personal insults when you have no come back
@Sherman Berstein: Take no notice Sherman, he’s just the resident wally. Just laugh at him like the rest of us..
@Harry Corry: Christ Harry he really is mentally challenged. I thought it was just an act
@Sherman Berstein: and
@Sherman Berstein: answer my question snowflake
@Sherman Berstein: Answers my question snowflake
@Jamie: poor Alan how does it make you feel when people ignore you
@Johnny Bravo: when people ignore me it shows they’re afraid to answer the question.don’t worry ill keep asking the snowflake
@Jamie: You’re a scary little boy how old are you
@Buddy Bud: I’m 13 and a half actually
Summed up our defence. Lovren a player who needs confidence puts an easy pass straight out of play after one minute. Good win though YNWA
Big change from during the week when they put out an understrength team for that Mickey Mouse cup
@Jamie: shut up
@Jamie: obsessed.
We can score more the you plan . Will get found out by the bigger teams
@powerfix: are you saying a team that won the PL two seasons ago isn’t a big team? The same can be said for your team who’ve only played mediocre teams so far this season
@powerfix: liverpool have only lost 2 of the last 20 against top 6 sides..
@Jack: surely that deserves a trophy
@Scott Crossfield: Scott they got one last year it was the finishing above Utd cup !
@powerfix: united finished last year with three trophies and champions league qualification. Liverpool finished with a spot in the champions league qualifiers…..which sounds like the better season?
@powerfix: haha – shine that trophy up and put in the cabinet
@Jamie: look at the table ……WAAAAAAAHHH
@powerfix: Must kill you to see your once noisy neighbours on top of the table #manchesterisblue
@Jamie: not really as my girlfriend is a city supporter so I win either way. Tara Chuck !
@powerfix: lol you have a girlfriend lol
@Scott Crossfield: brilliant!
@Kevin O Sullivan: how sad do you have to be to coint the charity shield as a cup. It’s a charity game , doesn’t count, end of….
@powerfix: They will win that cup again this year girlygirl x
@powerfix: Girlfriend ???? Now since when does sleeping with your labrador count as having a girlfriend girlygirl xx
Super result, couldn’t afford to drop points today. Still shite at the back again I wish Klopp was a defender when he was a player, oh wait!!
This should be interesting as he was classed as a snake by most here
@Ragman: Ye by the likes of you and other United supporters most Liverpool supporters felt no ill feelings towards him just like when Suarez went, every player wants to play for the best teams in the world but at least they didn’t do what Madrid did with De Gea and dropped interest in him at the last minute
Ref bottled it Mingolet should have got a red ! He took vardy out so you can’t give a pen and not a red too
@Mark Nugent: change of rule in the premier league actually, came into effect last year. Situations like that have now changed to penalty and yellow card. Google it.
Mignolet is brutal. Danny Ward must get a run. Had a good game in the cup and caught everything.