Japan vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as Pumas book quarter-final place
The winner of today’s Pool D clash will join England in the quarter-finals
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Your support makes all the difference.Argentina booked their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with victory over Japan in Nantes.
Mateo Carreras was the star in a captivating, winner-takes-all Pool D encounter, with the dynamite wing scoring a hat-trick to take the Pumas to a thrilling 39-27 win.
Michael Cheika’s men advance to a meeting with Pool C winners Wales next Saturday in Marseille, with their attacking game appearing to be in fine fettle as Argentina eye a deep tournament run.
For Japan, though, the World Cup is over, with defeat at the Stade de la Beaujoire also bringing the curtain down on Jamie Joseph’s time in charge.
The head coach’s seven year stint overseeing the Brave Blossoms had lifted Japanese rugby to new heights, and while this campaign proved a tournament too far for a squad in need of a refresh, Joseph will depart very much in credit.
Japan finish third in Pool D and will therefore qualify automatically for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, with Wallabies coach Eddie Jones among those linked to the vacancy that Joseph leaves.
Relive all the action from the Pool D qualification decider, and get all the latest Rugby World Cup odds and tips right here:
Japan 14-15 Argentina, 41 minutes
Argentina make a has of their lineout and grant Japan possession, but an under-clubbed prod down the right settles in Argentina hands. Gonzalo Bertranou is content to end the half there, popping the ball into the second row beyond the left touchline and turning to trek down the tunnel.
TRY! JAPAN 14-15 Argentina (Naoto Saito try, 38 minutes)
Another beauty of a try from Japan!
Again the left edge proves profitable for the Brave Blossoms. Naoto Saito whisks the ball away from the base, with Rikiya Matsuda attacking the blindside. Dylan Riley times his pass perfectly to put wing Siosaia Fifita into space, with the physically-imposing wing charging down into Argentina’s 22.
Juan Cruz Mallia buys the dummy, stepping out and allowing Fifita to rumble on, with Saito running a perfect support line on the inside to take advantage. Matsuda’s conversion brings Japan back within a single point.
Japan 7-15 Argentina, 36 minutes
Japan are restored to full complement, Lappies Labuschagne’s time in the bin having cost them eight points.
Lomano Lemeki has been real threat from the back for Japan in this tournament, returning to top form at the right time. Argentina ensure he is appropriately handled, backs shepherding Lemeki across field towards their forwards, who thump him to the floor.
PENALTY! Japan 7-15 ARGENTINA (Emiliano Boffelli penalty, 35 minutes)
And Emiliano Boffelli extends Argentina’s advantage from the tee.
Argentina 7-12 Argentina, 33 minutes
Santiago Carreras seeks a 50/22, but gets an unkind hop to check the ball’s momentum and take it out just short of the required line.
It matters not - Argentina pinch the lineout and earn a penalty for offside.
Japan 7-12 Argentina, 31 minutes
Kremer has been prominent in the last five minutes, his role taking on greater importance with Pablo Matera off injured. Naoto Saito, it would be fair to say, is enjoying a mixed afternoon, moments of ingenuity interspersed between a few too many mishandles, the latest almost allowing Kremer to intercept a bouncing ball and go the distance. The Argentina flanker can’t quite gather.
TRY! Japan 7-12 ARGENTINA (Mateo Carreras try, 29 minutes)
Mateo Carreras scorches a trail into the left corner!
Japan had been dragged right out of shape after Marcos Kremer had blocked that ill-conceived drop goal attempt with his beard, with a foolish chop and chase from Kotaro Matsushima not overly helping matters. Juan Cruz Mallia collects and frees his arms, with a quick transfer to Gonzalo Bertranou allowing the scrum half to hurry away.
Bertranou is swift, and wing Carreras swifter still. The Newcastle flyer swoops into the left corner.
Japan 7-7 Argentina, 27 minutes
A drop goal attempt from Rikiya Matsuda, peraps taking a page out of George Ford’s book - but it’s a horrible attempt, charged down easily by an Argentine blocker.
And off the Pumas go!
Japan 7-7 Argentina, 26 minutes
Japan’s 14 men are doing ok without Labuschagne so far, forcing Argentina into a kick, which is sliced 50 metres up and only five forwards, leaving a group of forwards offside. Japan lack a long-range kicker so instead punt for touch just inside Argentina’s 22.
Japan 7-7 Argentina, 25 minutes
Lappies Labuschagne’s yellow card remains - initial contact is with the chest, TMO Brendon Pickerill explains after the incident was reviewed in the bunker, while a late change in direction serves as mititgation. The Japan flanker will return in seven minutes or so.
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