England have inflicted a heavy 39-10 defeat on Argentina at Tokyo Stadium, all but ending Los Pumas’ hopes of a quarter-finals berth while sealing their own place in the final eight.
Argentina were impressive in the very early stages of the game. They got up in England’s faces consistently for the first ten minutes and scored the first points of the match with a penalty goal to Benjamin Urdapilleta.
However, Los Pumas began to implode after a 19th-minute red card to second-rower Tomas Lavanini left them to play the remaining 61 minutes of the game with just 14 players. England exploited the extra space well in attack, scoring six to Argentina’s one.
Here are five talking points from the game.
England set up Pool C showdown with France next week
The bonus-point victory by England over Argentina has set up a mouth-watering match-up between two of Europe’s oldest rivals to decide which nation will finish atop Pool C and take on the Wallabies in the quarter-finals.
England will be very happy with the win, but they know the real challenge is in front of them against a French side that will put up a much more of a fight than Argentina did in this match.
While England flexed their muscles against Argentina, France will have the opportunity to do the same against Tonga and make a statement ahead of their match-up against England.
Los Pumas fail to qualify for the knockout Stage
This loss to England raises serious questions about Argentina’s progress, who have now failed to qualify for a World Cup knockout stage for the first time since the 2003 tournament.
With so many of the Pumas’ players playing together for the Jaguares in Super Rugby, it would make sense that the building of combinations at that level would make for stronger performances from the Test side.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out that way and the Pumas have now finished off a very disappointing international rugby season in 2019, despite the Jaguares making the Super Rugby semi-finals.
Night to forget for Tomas Lavanini
When Argentinian second-rower Lavanini received a red card for his late shoulder to the head of England inside-centre Owen Farrell, he knew he’d made a truly costly error.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Lavanini has been a mainstay in the Pumas line up for a long time, racking up 53 caps since making his debut in 2013.
However, it was certainly a night to forget for the big South American. The look on his face when he was sitting on the bench told the story of a man who knew he’d let his teammates down, and it can’t have been easy for him to watch them get flogged by England.
Unfortunately too, Lavanini is now the most-carded Argentinian player in Test match history, with five yellows and now two reds.
Ben Youngs overtakes Johnny Wilkinson as third most-capped English player of all time
England scrumhalf Ben Youngs celebrated a wonderful milestone in style with a magnificent 46 minutes of rugby, overtaking the great Johnny Wilkinson to become England’s third-most capped player ever, along with Dan Cole on 92 caps.
Youngs came from the field with the game well in England’s grasp. He scored a try, beat two defenders and made a clean break, but perhaps most importantly, he constantly put pressure on the Argentinian backs with his pinpoint accurate kicking game.
He’ll be a vital cog in the England machine going forward in this tournament and beyond.
Argentina razzle-dazzle for late consolation try
There may not have been much to like about what Argentina dished up against England. But Matias Moroni’s consolation try in the 70th minute was some serious champagne rugby.
It was a beautiful set move off a line out on the ten-metre line. The ball went to substitute Tomas Lezana, who was at first receiver. He threw it to Felipe Ezcurra on the openside, who quickly gave it to Lucas Mensa, who was already wrapping around back to the short side.
Mensa then gave it to winger Santiago Carreras, who strolled through a yawning gap created by the crafty play.
Carreras approached the English fullback and completed the move with a textbook draw and pass to Matias Moroni who scored next to the posts untouched. It was a beautiful try, yet it served as a sad reminder of how truly disappointing Argentina has been at this tournament, given they’re capable of producing tries like that.
What did you think Roarers? What are some of the other talking points to come out of this game? Make sure to post your thoughts in the comments below.
Jamez
Roar Rookie
Before and after
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Ha ha yep, it must’ve been a decent sized bike! He got into the Sharks academy as a flanker, and then was converted to a prop. A bit of time went by and he started training with the real Sharks/Natal squad with the bicycle his only transportation. John Smit and a few of the other senior players then noticed how he’d always come to practice, and Saturday games on a bicycle, and then ride home after on it too! So John and the senior guys chatted to some of their contacts at car dealerships to arrange a sponsored car for him. It’s quite a popular thing to do in Durban for the car dealerships to sponsor the Sharks players cars, and then they all park them in a cordoned off area on the corner of the outside field right near the northern entrance gates. All the cars are branded with the players names on them in big print so it’s good advertising for the dealerships. I can still remember Beasts white smaller Toyota Corolla (I think..) in his early days always parked out there. And then if memory serves me correct he upgraded to a double cab bakkie (Ute). John Smit always had a Land Rover, usually the Discovery. Pat Lambie had a smaller car. Frans Steyn bought himself a Merc C63AMG after winning the 2007 WC at 19/20 years old. Anyway Beast graduated from his bicycle to a car with the help and a bit of guidance from John. I live in Australia now, but since 1992 my family has been parking on that same field as the Sharks players (you need a special car parking permit) and has had, and still has the same 3 season tickets in the mains grandstand in row F, 6 up from the field ???? Most Saturday nights were spent having a braai and a beer after the game near your car on the field as you catch up with mates walking past or otherwise having planned and orchestrated your car parks to all be in a group together. It’s quite unique to Durban. The players from both teams come round too and stay for hours after the games having a chat and a beer with people or signing kids balls. I still have a ball from when I was kid in the 90’s signed by the touring English team & Natal players. And the opposition players even try chat up our own ladies… ???? In 2010 a certain Reds player tried with my then newly wed wife, only to discover that she was Australian, from the Gold Coast and she wasn’t interested ????
bigtree.smallaxe
Roar Rookie
I find imagining The Beast riding a bicycle rather humorous. I imagine it should have been "big dreams and a (big enough) bicycle"
Muzzo
Guest
Actually, I thought the main point would have been how the Pom's only beat a team that was down to 14 players for approx. three quarters of the game! Well after all, IMO it wasn't a very impressive performance, & they do need all the assistance they can get!!.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Seems also trying to deliberately describe it as a no arms tackle. The fact that Farrell sits into contact ensures the tackle is higher than intended. The tackler is bending legs and somewhere between 45 and 90 degrees at the waist. Farrell's actions had impact on the tackle.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Won't take long for runners to understand they can try to duck into contact to milk penalties.
zhenry
Guest
Your clearly the best of the English.
zhenry
Guest
It is clear that the media, led by the English contingent, are going to coverup this huge injustice to the Argentinians. Nigel Owens initial decision to ignore the incident was correct, it was not even a yellow card as the head contact was due to Farrell ducking. Watch the replay, watch the replay, watch the replay, if you dare.
Shooter McGavin
Guest
It seems the English won't get a red this World cup, can ignore hia protocol, will get the rub off the green, play some ordinary rugby and walk away with the cup. At the least the ref of the ab Uruguay match accepted players ducking was a mitigating factor and gave yellows (doesn't make up for the fact he didn't ref offside at the ruck for the first 30).
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I think any reasonable person will agree with your assessment of the incident. A forward smashes his shoulder into the neck of a player running with the ball. Is this: 1. The fault of the player running with the ball. 2. Because of the Empire. 3. The fault of evil England fans in top hats and monocles in the ground. 4. The fault of English commentators correctly predicting what the ref was going to do. 5. All of the above..
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Perhaps the players are as stupid as some of their fans. :laughing:
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Peter, if I had a pound for every time the ABs had a 'finger-wagging' for three in a row transgressions on their own line I wouldn't be writing here, I'd be in a VIP box in Japan having been helicoptered to the game.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I’m beginning to wonder whether your posts on this are meant to be taken as satire. They seem to be getting progressively crazier.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, Jibba Jabba. The evidence that there is a deep conspiracy by World Rugby to fix the RWC so England win is now too overwhelming to ignore. On a fashion note, I always recommend an expensive brand of tinfoil when shaping your hat to keep at the death rays emitting from Twickenham.
Gonzo99
Roar Rookie
If that Tonga match (and every other time I've seen France play over the last couple of years) is anything to go by, you're right. France will keep up and look good for a couple of ten minute periods, but will leak points for the other hour.
Gonzo99
Roar Rookie
Meh. You can prove anything with facts. :laughing:
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Beast grew up across the border in Zimbabwe. According to him, all he dreamt about was playing for the Boks after being inspired by the 1995 WC winning team as a young boy. He moved to Durban straight out of school as an 18 year old with big dreams and a bicycle. He is a South African citizen. Back in the day Zimbabweans (Rhodesians) and Zambians (Northern Rhodesia) used to play for the Springboks if good enough, and Rhodesia had their own team in the domestic Currie Cup. So in that sense it’s hard to see Beast as a foreigner, but technically yes he is.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
He might not be short but the poor fellow has no arms... terrible shame
PiratesRugby
Guest
Ledesma has taken the Pumas backwards. Shows what he learned for Cheika. I expect a similar score line when England beats Australia is the quarter final.
zhenry
Guest
Your right taylorman the whole incident happened in a flash. Please see my comment near the top, Farrell ducked and 'caused' his head to hit Lavanini, look at the replay. The English media and entourage have gone on a propaganda blitz to say it was obvious foul play, it was not. Farrell ducked his head into Lavanini: Then the English quote Lavanini's record, his record is irrelevant in this incident. A complete mockery of the head hi rule. Argentina should demand the game be played again.