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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Argentina v Australia, Rugby World Cup semi-final

Australia and Argentina fought it out for the right to play New Zealand in the World Cup final.

Good afternoon and welcome!

After smashing past Ireland last week, Argentina will be looking to send another fancied nation packing, but they’re facing an Australia side with both David Pocock and Israel Folau back in their side after they stumbled by Scotland.

The prize on offer is a place in the final against New Zealand next Saturday, and kick-off is just under an hour away.

Here’s the Australia team, with Pocock and Folau the notable inclusions, but Scott Sio’s elbow injury means he misses out.

A big game is needed in his absence by James Slipper.

15. Israel Folau
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
13. Tevita Kuridrani
12. Matt Giteau
11. Drew Mitchell
10. Bernard Foley
9. Will Genia

1. James Slipper
2. Stephen Moore (captain)
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Kane Douglas
5. Rob Simmons
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. David Pocock

Replacements:

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Toby Smith
18. Greg Holmes
19. Dean Mumm
20. Ben McCalman
21. Nick Phipps
22. Matt Toomua
23. Kurtley Beale

Just one change for the Argentinians. Marcelo Bosch returns to the centre after his suspension, with Matías Moroni – a try-scorer in the win against Ireland – dropping out.

 

15. Joaquin Tuculet

14. Santiago Cordero

13. Marcelo Bosch

12. Juan Martin Hernandez

11. Juan Imhoff

10. Nicolas Sanchez

9. Martin Landajo

 

1. Marcos Ayerza

2. Agustin Creevy (captain)

3. Ramiro Herrera

4. Guido Petti

5. Tomas Lavanini

6. Pablo Matera

7. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe

8. Leonardo Senatore

Replacements:

16. Julian Montoya
17. Lucas Noguera
18. Juan Figallo
19. Matias Alemanno
20. Facundo Isa
21. Tomas Cubelli
22. Jeronimo De La Fuente
23. Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino

“Anyone buyin’ or sellin’ tickets?”

A fan looking for tickets James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Just over 10 minutes to go until the Mario Ledesma derby gets under way.

There’s a distinct “J2 coach staying loose in case he needs to come on” look to him.

We can only dream.

 

Mario Ledesma Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Teams in the tunnel. Almost time to go!

And now the anthems…

If the anthems are anything to go by, the Argentinians are seriously outnumbered at Twickenham.

Having said that, it didn’t exactly hinder them last week.

Kick off imminent!

Argentina 5-0 Australia

Try for Australia!

Rob Simmons intercepts a Nicolas Sanchez in midfield and runs through under the sticks. Disaster for Argentina.

Correction

 Argentina 0-5 Australia

Argentina 0-7 Australia

Bernard Foley slots over the extras from straight in front of the posts.

Argentina 0-7 Australia

This is a cracking start.

Argentina are flying back at the Aussies.

Marcelo Bosch made a great break through the centre, but was caught just inside the 22.

However, Nicolas Sanchez has a simple penalty effort to cut the gap.

Argentina 3-7 Australia

And Nicolas Sanchez makes no mistake.

A score Argentina needed to settle down after a frantic start.

Argentina 3-12 Australia

Try for Australia!

Adam Ashley Cooper goes into the corner, after Foley’s sensational skip pass takes out the entire Argentinian defence. Stunning.

Argentina 3-14 Australia

From way out on the right touchline, Foley slots the conversion.

Argentina are being Argentina’d

Argentina 3-14 Australia

Santiago Cordero has just made Adam Ashley Cooper “look like a koala bear”, according to Stuart Barnes.

Excellent line.

Argentina 3-14 Australia

Big blow for Argentina as Juan Imhoff goes off for a concussion check.

Argentina 3-14 Australia

The penalty count is going against Australia, and they’ve allowed Argentina a lineout five metres from the line.

Argentina 3-14 Australia

But Australia deal excellently with the maul, and win the scrum. Great defence.

Argentina 3-14 Australia

Scott Sio’s absence is being felt as James Slipper concedes a scrum penalty. Sanchez to kick.

Argentina 6-14 Australia

And Sanchez makes no mistake. The gap is eight.

Argentina 6-14 Australia

Tomás Lavanini could be in trouble, Wayne Barnes looking at a possible no-arms tackle.

Argentina 6-14 Australia

And after a trip to the TMO, Lavanini is yellow-carded and heads off to sit on the naughty step for 10 minutes.

 

Argentina 6-14 Australia

James Slipper concedes another scrum at the penalty and Argentina get a chance to clear the lines.

Argentina 6-14 Australia

And now Agustin Creevy is forced off with an injury. Julian Montoya comes on to replace the captain.

Argentina 6-19 Australia

Try for Australia!

Oh Matt Giteau, you scamp.

It’s an absolutely ridiculous skip pass that takes out the defence, and Adam Ashley Cooper dives over for another try.

Argentina 6-19 Australia

Foley hooks the conversion left and wide, but it already looks like a long way back for Argentina.

Argentina 9-19 Australia

Nicolas Sanchez keeps things ticking over with a penalty from long-range.

Argentina have hardly looked like scoring a try, but as we saw in last week’s quarter finals, things can change quite dramatically.

Argentina 9-19 Australia

So, so close!

Cordero absolutely splits his way through the Aussie defence in a run reminiscent of last week.

He finds Marcelo Bosch, but his one handed offload is knocked on.

Last play of the half, scrum Australia.

Argentina 9-19 Australia

Bernard Foley send the ball into the stand, and Wayne Barnes blows for half-time.

Australia have been irresistible going forward, but the penalty count is killing them.

This game is definitely alive but an early Australian score in the second-half may change that.

What a photo of Adam Ashley Cooper’s second try.

Adam Ashley-Cooper scores his second try Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Argentina 9-19 Australia 

And Bernard Foley kicks us off in the second-half.

Argentina 9-19 Australia 

A penalty straight from the kick-off and Bernard Foley has the chance to make the gap 13…

But he’s missed. A let off for Argentina. Foley’s left five points behind him from the tee, but he’s created a great try, and prevented two others.

Argentina 12-19 Australia 

James Slipper is having a nightmare. That’s three scrum penalties, and Sanchez tags on another three points.

Argentina 12-19 Australia 

Juahn Martin Fernandez Lobbe plays the ball off his feet, and Foley will kick to put the lead back out to 10 points…

Argentina 12-22 Australia 

And it’s good! Double figures in it again.

Argentina 12-22 Australia 

Argentina work it into the 22 and they’re keeping it tight.

With the way this game is going, they’re playing for a penalty.

Argentina 12-22 Australia 

And eventually they do get a penalty. Sanchez kicks into the corner, and it results in another penalty. Looks like Sanchez will kick this one at goal.

James Slipper has finally been given the hook for Australia. Toby Smith coming on, while Greg Holmes replaces Sekope Kepu.

Argentina 15-22 Australia 

You’d put your house on Sanchez scoring from the tee in this tournament.

No mistake, as usual.

Argentina 15-22 Australia 

A bit of magic from Kurtley Beale. He chips up the middle, and creates a great chance, but the cavalry just an’t catch up, and it’s knocked on.

Argentina 15-22 Australia 

Changes made in the front row, but same result. Australia getting a right pasting at the set-piece.

Argentina 15-22 Australia

Foley has a crack at a drop goal from near the half-way line, but he’s off-target by a mile.

Argentina 15-22 Australia

A great chance lost for Argentina. A series of big carries brought them into the Australian 22, but a loose foot nudged a ball out of the ruck, and Will Genia was able to clear.

Argentina 15-22 Australia

Australia kick to the corner following a penalty. A score – any score – for the Aussies would be absolutely huge right now.

Argentina 15-22 Australia

Argentina really stepping up the pressure, but Michael Hooper turns over and Australia clear.

This is getting relentless from Argentina though. 10 minutes left.

Argentina 15-29 Australia

Try for Australia!

Drew Mithell. THAT. IS. SENSATIONAL.

He breaks down the left, cuts inside, then cuts inside again, and again, and again, before passing out wide to Adam Ashley Cooper, and the winger has an easy finish for the hattrick.

Foley slots the conversion, and it’s a 14 point game.

Argentina 15-29 Australia

Two minutes left, and Argentina are throwing everything they have at Australia. It won’t be enough, but they’re not relenting.

Argentina 15-29 Australia

Full-time!

Australia are through to the Rugby World Cup final after a 29-15 win against Argentina at Twickenham.

In a way, this game followed a similar pattern to Argentina’s win against Ireland.

Australia blitzed them early, but they chipped a way at the lead throughout.

Eventually though, the class showed, and Australia are deserved finalists.

Australia v New Zealand in the final. It’s going to be epic!

Thanks for following throughout, and we’ll see you again soon.

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