What's happening
Ireland - Argentina

October 26 Match

WHAT'S HAPPENING? (posted 26th October 2003)
It was a tough match for Ireland and Argentina in Adelaide this evening. This Pool A clash between the two countries was set to determine who would be progressing through to the quarter finals in two weeks time. Eight minutes into the match the first points were posted when the Puma's Quesada slotted a penalty kick sweetly. Ireland were the first to score a try though when Alan Quinlan, the Irish flanker out ran Corleto to score in the corner. The conversion put the score 7-3 in Ireland's favour, but Quinlan dislocated his shoulder when he dived over the try line and had to be replaced.

Just before half an hour was up, Quesada slotted a field goal for Argentina in a game that saw them doing an awful lot of kicking and chipping. Quesada was able to add another three points to the Puma's tally a few minutes later when Ireland were penalised for handling the ball in the ruck. The aggressive and powerful Puma forwards were mostly responsible for the 10-9 in favour of Ireland half time score line.

Back for the second half Paul O'Connell from Ireland was penalised at the breakdown in play. Quesada had a chance to put the Pumas in front, but his kick from over near the 15 metre line just went right of the goal posts. The Argentine forwards started the second half with a series of rolling mauls that proved to be a good tactic for them, and Rolando Martin had a good opportunity to score for Argentina when he had numbers on his outside, but he made the fatal mistake of not keeping his eye on the ball and knocked it forward. Mind you, the Irish team were making a lot of errors as well! In the fifty fourth minute Hickey from Ireland made a really good break but then made a forward pass. Doh! Corleto, who was everywhere on the field for the Pumas potted a field goal in the 57th minute from fifty metres out. He was kicking with the wind though which would have made the task easier than it might have otherwise been. The Pumas were jubiliant and the crowd went wild. The Pumas were now ahead 12-10.

Ireland brought O'Gara on as replacement flyhalf and the Irish fortunes changed. A successful penalty kick in their 22 saw the lead change again - Ireland on 13, Argentina on 12.

With fifteen minutes left on the clock O'Gara got his team out by three more points with a penalty kick from right in front of the goal posts. The score remained unchanged until with seven minutes to go Ireland were pinged by Ref Andre Watson for interfering with the ball in the breakdown. Quesada booted the penalty kick from 25 metres out and the Pumas were only one point behind Ireland. 15-16

Argentina still had time to win the match, but there were some questionable decisions from Andre Watson. Keith Wood pulled the ball out of the Argentine ruck but this was missed and then Argentina were penalised in the linout. hmmmmm... The Pumas weren't giving up though and this tough encounter was going to go right down to the wire. With 40 minutes plus on the clock for the second half, Argentina was given one last throw of the dice with a lineout throw in. They won the lineout and made a good break, but were herded into touch. Full Time!

The win gives Ireland 4 points, taking them now to 14. Ireland and Australia will meet next Saturday to determine which team will finish first on the points table.