SF2: Argentina v Australia, 25 October

          
ARGENTINA v AUSTRALIA

25 October 2015
16:00 BST (UTC+01)
Twickenham, London

Live on [TBC]

Ref: Wayne Barnes (England)
ARs: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) & George Clancy (A World Of His Own)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

A. Head to Head

24 Played 24
5 Won 18
1 Drawn 1
18 Lost 5
372 Points 644

B. Recent Form

25 July 2015
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
9 – 34 to Australia

4 October 2014
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
21 – 17 to Argentina

13 September 2014
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
32 – 25 to Australia

5 October 2013
Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario
17 – 54 to Australia

14 September 2013
Subiaco Oval, Perth
14 – 13 to Australia

6 October 2012
Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario
19 – 25 to Australia

15 September 2012
Skilled Park, Gold Coast
23 – 19 to Australia

10 October 2003
Stadium Australia, Sydney
24 – 8 to Australia

C. TEAMS:

ARGENTINA

Tuculet; Cordero, Bosch, J Hernandez, Imhoff; Sanchez, Landajo; Ayerza, Creevy, Herrera; Petti Pagadizabal, Lavanini; Matera, Fernandez Lobbe, Senatore.

Replacements: Amorosino for Imhoff (19) De la Fuente for J Hernandez (44), Cubelli for Landajo (56), Figallo for Herrera (61), Alemanno for Petti Pagadizabal (58), Noguera for Matera (64), Isa for Senatore (49).

Not Used: Montoya.

AUSTRALIA

Folau; Ashley-Cooper, Kuridrani, Giteau, Mitchell; Foley, Genia; Slipper, Moore, Kepu; Douglas, Simmons; Fardy, Hooper, Pocock.

Replacements: Toomua for Folau (64), Beale for Giteau (47), Phipps for Genia (67), Smith for Slipper (53), Polota-Nau for Moore (60), Holmes for Kepu (53), Mumm for Simmons (67), McCalman for Fardy (56).

The way Argentina beat Ireland, i go for Argentina.

After the way Argentina played against Ireland it's a very tough one to call!!

What I am certain of is that if both teams play like they have we are in for a hell of a game!

If we can see Australia play as well as they did over England, and Argentina over Ireland we would have perhaps the greatest semi final ever.

I woudl love Argentina to win this, but reckon that their level will drop and australia will iron out the issues they suffered at the weekend.

That is what I'm praying for, LT.
An almost flawless performance from Argentina yesterday. Not saying they wont be able to repeat it but Ireland were definitely caught by surprise.
Australia will feel they have a lot of work to do before next Sunday. Large cracks appearing and at this level they are not so easy to hide.

Australia were more threatening in attack than they were against Wales (perhaps due to Scotland being not so good defensively?) but left points with Foley's kicking. However they played so fast and loose that they were at times shooting themselves in the foot - two of the 3 tries came from the interception and a chargedown.

So Australia need to tighten up their play when in possession as Argentina have shown they can score tries if given possession. Argentina meanwhile will have looked at Sio's troubles in the scrum.

Sio could well be out with his shoulder problem from what I've heard today.
Also Pocock and Folau might still not be ready. We'll know more towards the end of the week.

Should be a cracking game. Argentina were so pumped yesterday... The first 20 minutes they were brilliant. The yellow card changed the game but it looked like Argentina had shot their bolt either side of half time (I thought they were too psyched up to be honest and when the adrenalin goes the physicality goes with it) ... But they got that crucial try and found their second wind. 

If they come out like that again, they'll give Australia hell early on, but I think the Aussies have got the scrappy game out of their system. I suspect that they may find that serves as a wake up call. 

Having said that, they weren't totally convincing against Wales either!

It might hinge on how the Argentinian scrum coach does against an Argentinian scrum. I'm  going with Australia but it's a tight call.

Australia missed Pocock and Folau very badly and may even not be able to progress to the final without them.

Their scrum also got a bit of a kicking against Scotland and the Pumas will be targeting that.

The pumas scrum is pretty ferocious. If Scotland's pack can do a number on them in that regard the pumas can too.

I'm looking forward to this game most of all.

As as England fan who saw what the Aussies did to our scrum, and how it's looked since I can only say 'rowntree out'. Wonder how much was down to sio's injury.

Gotta go Argentina here. The world doesn't need Australia winning the Cricket and rugby world cup in the same year. More importantlty though, Argentina basically carved up a very very competent Irish side. I mean, outside of the Argentine #3's yellow, they won 40-10 in a 15v15 contest

I'm backing Australia, Argentina will not be able to match the levels of last weekend where everything just seemed to go for them.

Sio looks to be out,Scotland showed up the Aus Scrum a bit, two contentious decisions
helped them through.But weak tackling and a stupid lineout call cost them the match.
IRB says Ref got it wrong no penalty,just like they did when Waratahs beat Crusaders
Super final 2014.
That cuts no apples they can`t reverse the results this one is to close to call I would
love a NZ v Argentina Final.
I`m an AB fan but would really like to see Argentina win it,Japan aside THE most
impressive team so far.

Ireland were poor at the start and showed their lack of depth and the K brothers lack of tackling skills exposed, I can t see Australia losing this game after 2 hard games in a week. This is a dream semi for them and should win with ease as they will field a strong team.

Come on Arg, do it for the fans!

This one is 50/50 in my view. Ability wise both these trams can bring it. If both bring their best I think Aussies will have enough to win, but you cannot negate that Argentinian passion.

Im saying novenas for Poey and Folau. If they are there I'll be quietly, quietly confident but without them ... not confident at all.

How can any neutral not back Argentina. Argentina are the UK's greatest foe in modern times.. yet their passion is infectious. Literally every man sobbing at the start of the anthem.. not the 1 tear AW Jones special.

They play with their hearts and its great to see in a world of "Ivan Drago computer say's no" professionals which fill our modern game.... and they're successful thus far.

They have a better pack than Scotland so Australia will find themselves up against it Pocock or not. Pocock and Hooper are great but a pack going backwards generally renders them useless.

we've played three home nations at Twickenham in three weeks. Even if we weren't Australia in England I doubt any delusions would remain about where popular support will lie.

Yeah, I almost want them to win too!
That was an very attractive game they played against Ireland. Total rugby it was.

I hear now that Cheika is more confident about the return of Pocock and Folau. A little good news at last.

boomeranga wrote:we've played three home nations at Twickenham in three weeks.   Even if we weren't Australia in England I doubt any delusions would remain about where popular support will lie.

AUS aren't pantomine villians like England are. However everyone loves an underdog story and Argentina are playing with their hearts on their sleeves, its great to see.  You could easily have seen them losing the Ireland game when Ireland came back to 20-23 yet this time their passion held strong.

Brits have a hate hate relationship with Argentinians generally but they're great for the sport and whenever I meet Argentinian rugby fans they're great ambassadors and love their rugby.

There's a definite red card in this game:

Aus 29 Arg. 19

I fancy Argentina by about 12 points.

As long as Australia don t gift three tries as they did in the previous game there is only one winner for me by at least 10 points

What is it about Aus. Can't stand your cricket yobs (even prefer to see Eng win the ashes) but thoroughly like your rugby team. Still, hope Arg win and that's where my money goes this weekend with Paddy Power Esq

I think this could be the game of the tournament. Two sides that can play lovely rugby.

Would love to see Argentina edge it, but think the Aussies will probably take the game away in the last 20. I can't see them playing as poorly as they did against Scotland again.

I think Australia will walk this to be honest.

Argentina have been "bigged" up far too much considering what they have actually done. Whoopie they beat Georgia, Tonga and Namibia, and they beat an injury ravaged Ireland to get through to the semis.

29 games leading up to the World Cup, 6 wins, 23 losses, their not fourth in the World, no chance.

I disagree shifty mate. Ireland weren't missing so many, weakened but the replacements are good players.

Argentina have had a great year, these results are no fluke.

The ozzies have had two very tough games this might be one too many..

It's going to be close.

maestegmafia wrote:I disagree shifty mate. Ireland weren't missing so many, weakened but the replacements are good players.

Argentina have had a great year, these results are no fluke.

The ozzies have had two very tough games this might be one too many..

It's going to be close.

I think losing Sexton AND POC was catastrophic, O'Brian is a key player too. I also got the impression Ireland expected all week for Sexton to make it, then failed at the last minute which didn't help things. In reality losing Sexton and POC is the same as losing Biggar and AWJ, there is no way we'd of beaten England without them.

Ireland have depth and talent, but that double blow was truly crushing imho.

What Argentina have is an attitude of Nothing to Lose.  They've learned that you must risk to compete.  They've learned that lesson when playing the top sides in the RC.  

Australia felt the pressure against Scotland.  Lots of it applied by Scotland of course but also some of it that growing mental tension.... 'getting closer, make no mistakes.'
That tension might be present again now or perhaps the luck of getting through will release tension and they'll play with more freedom.
The truth is too that now Australia will meet a side they've become more familiar with.  They'll be more conscious of what Argentina can bring to the party - more familiar with defending against it and attacking it.

I don't know how this one will go.  I suppose growing logic presumes that Argentina will play again without fear and find their space at times.  But a relieved Australia, back playing a more familiar side, might use their knowledge to make the task easier than many might expect.

I have a feeling it's the latter.

I fancy the Pumas here - the wallabies have had a real tough run. I think Argentina will dominate the set piece and will be brutal at the breakdown. If Argentina play like the did against Ireland they will edge it I think.

Argentina are the only Welsh speaking nation left in the RWC

Go Argies Siarad Cymraeg!!!

SMH is reporting that Israel Folau, David Pocock and Scott Sio all failed to complete training on Wednesday and therefore are major doubts for this match.

Real problems for us if that's the case. Weaker scrum, weaker breakdown, weaker attack and re-opens the door to bury us with bombs.

On the upside, they will be reeeaaaallly fresh for the 3-4 playoff. We could be the first team ever to go back to back for the Bermagui Bronze.

boomeranga wrote:Real problems for us if that's the case.  Weaker scrum, weaker breakdown, weaker attack and re-opens the door to bury us with bombs.  

On the upside, they will be reeeaaaallly fresh for the 3-4 playoff.  We could be the first team ever to go back to back for the Bermagui Bronze.

Quality, we must be related

Love to see the Argies win but I think it would be pretty remarkable to pull it off even if the above 3 are out. Against Ireland they almost blew it lets be honest. They had a 17 point lead which come 60mins was 3. It really could have gone either way. The passion is great but it was so close to killing them.

They'll get the nudge upfront and their kicker is probably more reliable than Foley. How will Hooper fair without Pocock and will the Argies do enough to push him backwards?

I heard the hand of god will be in their corner too.

Nobody really interested in this game?

Well that should not count

As intercepts are not real tries lol

A Josh-Lewsey-timed try!

Silly play by Argentina.

This could be a classic, the Pumas showing some skill here.

Argentina need to calm down a little

Beautiful set piece from the Aussies, excellent try for AAC.

"I doubt if Australia knew they'd score that easily?"

Hmm, why not? They created it.

This is not how to beat Australia.

Fancy Australia to cruise this now.
Hopefully though Argentina can come back.

Ha ha Maradona, good to see his support.

I don't know who to support here.

On one hand Argentina hate the UK even more than the Australians with their famed Antipodean chip. On the other if Australia win, and win well, then it could be surmised that had Joubert not muffed up then Scotland would probably have made the World Cup Final.

Aghhh I'm still bitter

This is awful from arg

Genia did not allow 10m like he did against Wales, should be a yellow.