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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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 vs Argentina
Out into the sunshine the players come, Japan in their familiar red and white hooped home kit, Argentina in their rather fetching change strip, navy blue with a white sash.
Japan vs Argentina
Kick off creeping ever closer at the Stade de la Beaujoire. It’s going to be a properly hot afternoon in Nantes, with the mercury up into the mid-twenties and still very much climbing. Fatigue could well be a factor.
Japan vs Argentina
Of course, this could yet be Joseph’s last game in charge of Japan, with the head coach due to leave at the end of this tournament. The Kiwi coach will be hoping his squad can extend his tenure by another week at least.
Japan vs Argentina
I reckon Argentina have picked their best attacking backline, perhaps sacrificing a bit of defensive solidity by pairing young guns Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti but ensuring that they have plenty of strike runners to challenge a Japan defence that fronted up well for long periods against England. Argentina have dominated the ball so far at this tournament - Jamie Joseph’s side, drilled defensively by incoming Red Roses coach John Mitchell, may have plenty of tackling to do.
Quarter-final line-up
So here’s a reminder of how the last eight looks. Remember, Fiji require only a single match point from their game against Portugal tonight to seal their place in the quarter-finals - and doesn’t the Paris half of the draw look rather tasty...
Wales v Argentina/Japan, Marseille Sat 14 October, 4pm BST
Ireland v New Zealand, Paris Sat 14 October, 8pm BST
England v Fiji/Australia, Marseille Sun 15th October, 4pm BST
Michael Leitch on why Samurai time” will be key for Japan
Japan, meanwhile, are focussed on the final quarter, with Jamie Joseph’s side believing they have solved the issues apparent late on against England and targeting what they are calling “Samurai time”.
“In the past, we had the tendency to be scored against in the last 20 minutes,” Michael Leitch explained yesterday. “Since the England game, we talked about how to fix it, and we started using the word ‘Samurai Time’. It’s about controlling the game’s momentum.
“We obviously wanted to attack, but then we lost our energy, and when the impact members (substitutes) came in excited to get out there, they couldn’t leave a big impact on the game as much as they wanted to. So, we talked about it with the coaches, about our mentality and what’s needed in the last 20 minutes.”
Argentina coach Michael Cheika believes his side are ready to handle the pressure
“This is why you play rugby; if you want it easy and for the script to be written, don’t worry about coming,” Cheika said on Friday after naming his team for a crunch contest.
“In international rugby, you don’t always have games where everything is at stake. We have been doing it since the game against England.
“There was talk about players who will have their first experience in matches of such importance. This is where you learn, you gain experience. They already got experience with the first important match with England where they did not deliver; I feel very good handling that knock-out mentality that we have had since then.
“Coaches have to change the negative and turn it into a positive. I feel like we are very happy with that. You have to have a certain level of pressure. They are feeling that pressure for the first time and they are growing. It will be the third elimination match and we hope to have three more from now on.”
Team news - Argentina
Michael Cheika makes eleven changes to the Argentina side from their 59-5 win against Chile. Santiago Carreras replaces Nicolas Sanchez at fly-half, while prop Francisco Gómez Kodela returns to the starting team for the first time since their opening loss to England. Marcos Kremer and Juan Martin Gonzalez remain in the starting team and are the only two players in the squad to have started every RWC2023 match.
Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini start alongside each other for the first time since September 2022, which marks their 32nd time doing so.
Argentina XV: Juan Cruz Mallia; Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras; Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou; Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya (capt.), Francisco Gómez Kodela; Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini; Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez.
Replacements: Agustín Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Pedro Rubiolo, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Nicolas Sanchez, Matías Moroni.
Team news - Japan
Jamie Joseph makes one change to the Japan side that won against Samoa last weekend as Siosaia Fifita replaces Jone Naikabula on the left wing.
Eight players have started all of their RWC matches so far (Amato Fakatava, Keita Inagaki, Jiwon Gu, Jack Cornelsen, Michael Leitch, Rikiya Matsuda, Kotato Matsushima, and Ryoto Nakamura). Last week’s player of the match Lomano Lemeki returns at fullback. Kazuki Himeno is named as captain and hasn’t missed a tackle so far this RWC after 31 successful tackle attempts.
Japan XV: Lomano Lemeki; Kotaro Matsushima, Dylan Riley, Ryoto Nakamura, Siosaia Fifita; Rikiya Matsuda, Naoto Saito; Keita Inagaki, Shota Horie, Jiwon Gu; Jack Cornelsen, Amato Fakatava; Michael Leitch, Pieter Labuschagne, Kazuki Himeno (capt.)
Replacements: Atsushi Sakate, Craig Millar, Asaeli Ai Valu, Warner Dearns, Amanaki Saumaki, Yutaka Nagare, Ryohei Yamanaka, Jone Naikabula.
Japan vs Argentina
So we know it will be Wales for either Japan or Argentina next Saturday in Marseille, with Warren Gatland’s side looking slightly more vulnerable after Taulupe Faletau’s injury. Neither of these two Pool D foes have quite found their best rugby in this tournament, but the opportunity is clear - let’s take a closer look at the two selections...
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments