The news is in that Jonny Sexton has been ruled out of Ireland’s quarter-final against Argentina tonight at 11:00pm AEDT. Ian Madigan takes his place at no. 10 while Paddy Jackson moves on to the subs’ bench.
It’s quite a blow for Ireland, though not unexpected. Sexton was injured in the game against France last week and it was touch and go if he would be fit in time. He had been given the all-clear, but it looks like it was premature. It’s unknown how long he will be out for.
It was doubtful that Sexton would have lasted the full quarter-final. Now, Ian Madigan will start at out-half.
Madigan put in a supreme display against the French when he came on for the injured Sexton. It was the kind of display that makes a player, cements his reputation. That was when emotion was high, though, and he didn’t have time to worry about the implications.
Now, he is pushed into the lion’s den in what is possibly Ireland’s most important ever rugby match. He’ll have time to feel all the pressure and the weight of expectation. Freddie Michalak, the French out-half, suffered a similar problem in the 2003 tournament, and he fell apart. He’s only now reclaiming that form. It will be make or break time for Madigan.
Sexton wasn’t the only injury to come out of the French match, unfortunately. Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahony have also been ruled out of the quarter-final, and the rest of the tournament.
O’Connell will be replaced by Ian Henderson, who has played brilliantly all tournament. Jordi Murphy comes in for O’Mahony in the back-row.
It was an emotional sight as Paul O’Connell was stretchered off the field. The great man has now played his last game for Ireland, after announcing that he would retire from international rugby at the end of the tournament, though he has signed a contract with French club Toulon. Though injured, O’Connell will stay with the Irish camp.
O’Mahony has become a leader for Ireland as well. His presence will be equally as missed.
The other change to the team was forced after Sean O’Brien was cited for punching French player, Pascal Pape. It was a crazy move by O’Brien, who was quite lucky not to receive a lengthier ban.
Unfortunately, he will miss the quarter-final and his place has been taken by Chris Henry.
Both Henry and Murphy are very good players but they can’t fully cover O’Brien and O’Mahony. Ireland will be severely depleted in the back row.
Otherwise, the team is unchanged. Jamie Heaslip will captain the side, which is a huge test for him. It will be his most important game as captain.
Ireland have faced Argentina three times in the World Cup, three tournaments in a row. In 1999, Ireland lost a quarter-final play-off against the ‘Pumas’ in a shocking loss, it was one of the bigger upsets in the tournament’s history. The two countries faced each other again, in the 2003 tournament, and Ireland won a very close game by a single point.
In 2007, a poor Irish side were knocked out of the tournament by Argentina at the pools stage. Argentina would go on to place third in that year’s competition, cementing their place in rugby. In 2012, Argentina finally gained entry into the Tri-Nations – now called the Rugby Championship.
Argentina now play the three strongest rugby teams in the world – Australia, New Zealand and South Africa – every year, twice or three times, which can only make them better. Granted, out of the 21 games that Argentina has played in the Rugby Championship, they’ve only won two, with one game drawn.
Ireland have played Argentina 20 times, with the Irish winning twelve of those games, and Argentina seven. Ireland have also won the last five games in a row, including a two-match tour of Argentina. That was when both teams were depleted.
Ireland have a realistic chance against the ‘Pumas’, though the missing players are a huge disadvantage.
This is Ireland’s chance at reaching their first ever semi-final. A lot depends on Ian Madigan. It’s very difficult for a team to play well if their out-half is not up to the challenge. I think he will be, and Ireland will face Australia in the semi-finals!
Pumas, you BEAUTIES
Tigranes
Guest
Are Ireland never going to make it to the semis...are the pumas their bogey team?
DaniE
Roar Guru
Argentina were magnificent... And their crowd... The semi final is gonna be awesome
Peter Robinson
Roar Rookie
Fantastic result for the Pumas, and well deserved...what was with the disabled comments in the game-blog?
ohtani's jacket
Guest
What a tremendous game. Argentina were sensational.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Amen.
Nobrain
Guest
?
Nope, the Argies are our SH BROTHERS ;D
Cathal
Guest
I have a feeling everyone wants Argentina to win just so Australia can have an easier semi final...
Cathal
Guest
It was Ireland B aswell.
Nobrain
Guest
Still a 50/50 game in my view. JS is one the best in his position, a master of disguising the Irish attack, an exellent field goal kiker, and knows how to to place the Irish deep in the opponents field. However Ireland is not only JS, and if The Pumas win today it will not be an excuse the injuries and suspensions, they have had their fair share also : Montero is great wing and would have been a starter ( gone before RWC started with broken ligaments), Figalo had the same problem while training for the last edition of RCH would have been starting prop, Galarza was ban for nine weeks by the citing commitee aftrer ithe first game against the ABs. Tetaz Chaparro ( starting prop since the begining of RCH) was ruled out of RWC just last thrursday. All important players for a young team. So both teams have similar situations and that is the reason that both have similar chances to win today.
The elk
Guest
That was Argentina B team we played during the summer and the team they put out when they cut SA apart in SA was their A team. If we play with the intensity we played at vs France we will win. If we don't hit that level then the match belongs to Argentina.
Eoin Brennan
Guest
ahem..... We beat South Africa and Wallabies last Season also got beat in extra time by a penalty to the Kiwi,s after we gave them a big run for their money and led most of the game with 4 tries past them.! Also Beat Argentina with a depleted side twice in the 2014 Summer series on their home turf when all four injured players and more were off beating the Wallabies with the lions. Regardless of whether its an all SH semi final comp, I wouldn't underestimate Ireland. Im sure you could have a full debate on six nations rugby vs Championship rugby. But that argument is for another time. Yes we all know you have dominated but those days are going to end with every year as NH teams catch up to the standard. Aussie rugby may look good on TV at the minute but Pulver still has a huge task ahead to get interest with kids who dont live in Lane cove or Mossman. Im a big Waratahs fan and sit in half empty stadia. Ulster where im originally from have ques to get into a game. Dont think i can remember a time when Rugby was so big in Ireland, hence the expectation and fanbase plus quality of players to choose from. May the best team win,
TheCelt
Guest
Shoulder to shoulder they'll answer Ireland's call!
Spanners
Guest
Sorry to bust the balloon of our brothers who live north of the equator, but the 6 Nations isn't the Rugby Championship. Los Pumas have beaten both the Wallabies and the Springboks the past couple of years and are getting better and better for having played against the Big 3 consistently. They have a great set-piece (watch for a Creevy try off the back of their rolling maul), a brilliantly attacking backline and now that most of the squad are signed to their local union (UAR), they have had real continuity in their preparation for the first time. Argentina for mine and an all Southern Hemisphere Semi-Finals Series.
Eoin Brennan
Guest
Declan, I wrecken the Argies are looking at him like a pack of Wolves no doubt. they will put all their focus on him and regardless of his great performance last week, treat him as a chink in the armor . The Irish press have already heaped a shedload of pressure on him and all that baggage from pundits that he has carried for so long in local media must be hard for the fella. Hense the I've proved yas wrong tears last week. Great thing about this Ireland team though is they still have a lot of heads in there to take the leadership role. Im not a doubter of the replacments either as our bench was always good and full of quality. Worry is what happens if the Plan B players get injured. Still expect a hard game for the Atlantic Derby tonight! Nerves are wrecked already. Erin Go Bragh!