Japan 27-39 Argentina: Pumas progress to Rugby World Cup quarter-finals courtesy of hard-fought win
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Updated 09/10/2023 at 08:29 GMT
Argentina have qualified for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals after they beat Japan 39-27 in Nantes. Mateo Carreras collected a hat-trick to ensure Argentina finished second in Pool D. The Pumas finished on 14 points, putting them five ahead of Japan in second and four behind England in first. Argentina will face Wales in the quarter-final on 14th October.
Highlights: Portugal shock Fiji at World Cup, Argentina beat Japan
Tries from Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras and Emiliano Boffelli sent Argentina to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup courtesy of a 39-27 win against Japan in Nantes.
Despite their best efforts, tries from Amato Fakatava, Naoto Saito and Jone Naikabula as well as a drop goal from Lomano Lemeki were not enough for Japan.
Argentina had the perfect start just one minute in as Chocobares opened the scoring with his first-ever try for Los Pumas. Japan’s Fakatava then scored in spectacular fashion to draw the sides level as he collected his own chip and chase to score an impressive solo try.
Carreras scored Argentina’s second after a well-taken high ball from Juan Cruz Mallia set up the Newcastle Falcons winger to score before the half-hour mark. Boffelli missed the conversion, but slotted a penalty five minutes later to extend their lead.
Japan scored again minutes before half-time as a break from Siosaia Fifita set up Saito to run clear. Matsuda’s conversion made the score at the break 14-15.
Carreras scored a second after half-time with an explosive left-foot step after a sprint from close range to move him closer to the posts. Boffelli then converted to give Los Pumas an eight-point lead.
Matsuda’s penalty in the 50th minute began to close the gap, further aided by a Lemeki drop goal five minutes later to move them within two points.
Argentina replied swiftly as Boffelli scored a try of his own unchallenged by the Japanese defence.
Japan drew level later through a try from Jone Naikabula, who missed out on a starting place for the first time this year, but Carreras spoiled their hopes with his hat-trick minutes later as he dived over the line. Nicolas Sanchez provided a long-range penalty to extend their lead and secure the win.
Argentina will face Wales in the quarter-final on 14th October as Japan bid farewell to the Rugby World Cup, finishing third in the pool.
Talking point - Carreras hat-trick sends Argentina to the quarter finals
Argentina will meet Wales next weekend in the quarter-finals after their win against Japan as Mateo Carreras contributed an impressive 15 points to the victory for Los Pumas.
Player of the match - Mateo Carreras
Carreras came alive against Japan to deliver three tries in Nantes.
Player ratings
Japan XV: Lomano Lemeki 7, Kotaro Matsushima 6, Dylan Riley 5, Ryoto Nakamura, Siosaia Fifita 7, Rikiya Matsuda 7, Naoto Saito 8; Keita Inagaki 6, Shota Horie 6, Jiwon Gu 6, Jack Cornelsen 6, Amato Fakatava 8, Michael Leitch 6, Pieter Labuschagne 5, Kazuki Himeno 6(capt.)
Replacements: Atsushi Sakate 6, Craig Millar 6, Asaeli Ai Valu 6, Warner Dearns 6, Amanaki Saumaki 6, Yutaka Nagare 6, Ryohei Yamanaka 6, Jone Naikabula 8
Argentina XV: Juan Cruz Mallia 8, Emiliano Boffelli 8, Lucio Cinti 7, Santiago Chocobares 9, Mateo Carreras 10, Santiago Carreras 7, Gonzalo Bertranou 7; Thomas Gallo 7, Julian Montoya (capt.)7, Francisco Gómez Kodela 7, Guido Petti Pagadizabal 7, Tomas Lavanini 7 Pablo Matera 7, Marcos Kremer 7, Juan Martin Gonzalez 7
Replacements: Agustín Creevy 7, Joel Sclavi 7, Eduardo Bello 7, Matias Alemanno 7, Pedro Rubiolo 7, Lautaro Bazan Velez 7, Nicolas Sanchez 7, Matías Moroni 7
Match highlights
- 2’ - Santiago Chocobares opens the scoring with his first-ever try for Argentina
- 16’ - Amato Fakatava gathers his chip and chase on the wing to score for Japan
- 28’ - Mateo Carreras scores his first try
- 38’ - Naoto Saito scores for Japan before half time
- 46’ - Carreras scores a second
- 52' - Matsuda brings Japan closer with a penalty
- 56’ - Lomano Lemeki slots a drop goal for Japan
- 58’ - Emiliano Boffelli scores and converts his own try
- 65' - Jone Naikabula scores for Japan after coming on as a replacement
- 68' - Carreras gets a hat-trick
- 75' - Nicolas Sanchez has the final world with a penalty for Argentina
Key stats
- Top tackler - Kazuki Himeno (Japan, 21)
- Top points - Mateo Carreras (Argentina, 15)
- Territory - Japan 49%, Argentina 51%
- Metres carried - Japan 463, Argentina 500
- Penalties conceded - Japan 6, Argentina 7
- Tackles - Japan 167 (84% success), Argentina 121 (72% success)
- Scrums won - Japan 10/10, Argentina 5/8
- Lineouts won - Japan 8/9, Argentina 5/6
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