England have continued their unbeaten run at the World Cup and booked a place in the semi-finals with a commanding 39-10 win over Argentina.
The Pumas were forced to play with 14 men for 62 minutes after Tomas Lavanni was red-carded for a shoulder charge to the head of Owen Farrell.
That left Argentina with a mountain to climb and they were unable to stay with Eddie Jones’ men.
The Pumas started well, Benjamin Urdapilleta nailing a penalty goal to make it 3-0.
England responded soon after, taking the lead with Jonny May’s try after a strong rolling maul.
Then the match was spun on its head when Lavanni was correctly giving his marching orders.
England struggled to use their extra man advantage for 15 minutes as the Pumas defending stoutly.
They grabbed their second try four minutes from half-time when Elliot Daly touched down out wide.
Farrell’s kicking was off as he failed to land all three of his early shots at goal.
Right on the interval England scored again, this time moving the ball well and Ben Youngs dummying his way over.
That made it 15-3 at the interval.
In the second half England upped their pressure and started to drag the Argentine defence side to side.
George Ford snuck over in the left-hand corner.
Farrell nailed his first kick of the game to make it 22-3.
The inside centre kicked a penalty and both teams emptied their benches.
In the 72nd minute Argentina got their only try of the match, Matias Moroni touching down after some brilliant interplay of passing.
But England finished strongly, bagging two tries in the final eight minutes to close out the game.
First Jack Nowell barged over in the corner, showing great strength.
Then Luke Cowan-Dickie crossed after a rolling maul.
England will now face France to see who finishes top of Pool C.
England 39
Argentina 10
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Defenders dont go low everytime because they are not just tackling but also targeting the ball either to dislodge in the tackle or at least prevent the offload.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Early red card for The ABs would also be a problem for them.
jdubs
Roar Rookie
Game ruined. Who knows which team was the better. Can't win with 14 men. World Rugby needs to adopt a report system because it's turning fans away
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Who are all these pedantic refs, I thought both Barnes and Owens are from NH, and in my opinion along with Jacob Peyper the best going around.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
One thing’s always puzzled me. Who are these brilliant SH refs against whom the NH whistlers can’t hold a candle? Obviously it can’t be the useless bunch that appear up north every year and ruin the autumn internationals, so I assume you’ve got a load of them down there you’re keeping secret.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
NO THERE WASN’T.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
AHHHHHHHHH, how many times? Francis did not connect with force to the head or neck of the player. Lavanini did, as did Hodge. Under the new law interpretations (although they’re not that new) it doesn’t matter whether they meant it, whether they’re sorry, whether they’re nice to their mums, or whether there’s a ‘r’ in the month.
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
I remember what it’s like and I take your point. I took my last hits in 2010. But, I’m a lot more like Lavanini than Faz, so not a lot of people can tackle me high
Offside
Roar Rookie
21 - 19 semi final to England. With a NH ref, 5 penalties and 2 drop kicks to England. 3 tries and 2 conversions to the AB's. Whistled off the park, 4 sin bins and a red card for looking scary.
Matey
Roar Rookie
This kind of tackle happens a thousand times a game in NRL and nothing happens. These cards hardly make the game any safer, there's a million possible situations where you can hurt yourself in a rugby game. People want to play it and watch it because it's supposed to be a tough, exciting and sometimes dangerous sport.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Probably cos we meet in the semis, but that’s up to yours Ken. :happy:
Jacko
Guest
England will lose the semi so wont be in the final
pm
Roar Rookie
Just seen too many plays where he's throwing his shoulder at guys' knees and heads late, from outside where rucks have formed. He's a thug more than a player, not deserving of our repsect
Tony Cooper
Guest
NB..Frequently..Intresting choice of words..Not like 100 times a game..Those words I know you don't like
FunBus
Roar Rookie
The one thing Owens wasn’t was ‘wrong.’ You may not disagree with the new law interpretations, but if Owens hadn’t sent him off that would have been ignoring the explicit rulings and interpretations of World Rugby.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I’m sure the olds call a mean eyes game - hard to argue with ‘em.
Tony Cooper
Guest
NB..Maybe you can prove how Unbiased you are..Go back and watch that series of plays. Not only was it a No Arms Tackle, he was Never Onside..We all make Mistakes..You, Me, Mr Owen's.. YC every day of the week..Shame it was A Weekend
Tony Cooper
Guest
NB...English Grandparents Corrupted Me
Tony
Guest
NB so when is a No Arms Tackle..A penalty, A YC or a RC?..I was under the impression that they were all YC..But as you have Pointed Out..I’m No Reff
Tony
Guest
NB I just rewatched it (With my English Grandad and Grandma), Just in case I missed something the first time..All commenters agreed that he was Extremely Lucky Not To be Carded..They must be Biased as well?