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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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 0-7 Argentina, 10 minutes
The defence thereafter is better from Japan, though, getting hands on breakdown ball for the first time. Shota Horie goes to contest but is unable to quite grasp it, though the Argentine latcher is pinged for failing to keep his feet. Penalty Japan, and a gain of 40 metres down the right via the boot.
Japan 0-7 Argentina, 9 minutes
Boffelli again! He’s some player, the Edinburgh back three man, as impressive in the air as on the ground and leaping superbly to regain possession as an up-and-under is directed out to his right wing. A Santiago Carreras gruber is slightly aimless but Japan knock it on and Argentina can play on inside the opposition half.
Japan 0-7 Argentina, 8 minutes
But Argentina look right up for this. The Pumas disrupt Japan’s lineout and Naoto Saito is forced to kick away slow ball, his box kick landing in Emiliano Boffelli’s hands. The wing skips past one defender and then bashes past hooker Shota Horie, countering up into Japan’s half. A tangle of boots and hands on the floor ends Argentina’s advances but Japan are struggle to handle their strike-runners in theis first ten minutes.
Japan 0-7 Argentina, 6 minutes
That should steady Japan a bit. Argentina’s scrum was vulnerable agaisnt England and is under immediate pressure here, Keita Inagaki putting the pressure on a returning Francisco Gomez Kodela, and Thomas Gallo turning on on the loosehead side. Japan kick the penalty up towards halfway.
Japan 0-7 Argentina, 4 minutes
Wow. The game has barely even begun and already Jamie Joseph wears a face of thunder. I mentioned the attacking theat of this Argentina centre pairing ahead of kick off but there wasn’t much deception required there, Chocobares just slicing Japan open up the middle.
TRY! Japan 0-7 ARGENTINA (Santiago Chocobares try, 2 minutes)
A sensational solo score!
Oh, Santiago Chocobares that is simply magnificent. The inside centre trucks it up the middle, dummying and brushing off a tackler a little too easily before setting his sights on the backfield defenders.
A jink and a jive takes him round the last tackler, and Chocobares darts under the posts to give Argentina the perfect start.
Japan 0-0 Argentina, 1 minute
A solid first clearance from Rikiya Matsuda, his kick sailing out of play 40 metres from the Japan line.
Argentina’s first attacking ball is used well, a poweful maul making metres and drawing a penalty.
Japan vs Argentina
This is it, then, for Japan and Argentina - one quarter-final spot up for grabs. 80 minutes more to determine their last eight fate - Argentina will kick things off.
Japan vs Argentina: Match officials
An all Kiwi officiating team today.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZ)
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