RWC 2023 quarters: Thrilling weekend proved ultimate advert for rugby
We knew the quarter finals would be close but nobody could have predicted the unbelievable intensity of a weekend producing four classic matches that all could have gone either way.
And they kept raising the bar, with Sunday night’s game between hosts France and World Champions South Africa a thriller that achieved epic Rugby World Cup clash status.
Sadly, two of the tournament’s best supported teams have exited, but rugby fans were treated to a masterpiece of a weekend, in what was an amazing advert for the sport. Here’s how it all unfolded.
ARGENTINA vs WALES 29 – 17
A dramatic late Nicolas Sanchez try and penalty sealed a famous win for Argentina at Stade de Marseille on Saturday, as they progressed to the semi finals and sent Wales home early.
Dan Biggar scored a well worked try to help Wales to a 10-6 lead going into half-time, but a fourth penalty from the outstanding Emiliano Boffelli gave Argentina the lead in the 48th minute.
Gareth Davies left to be replaced by Tomos Williams, and it didn’t take long for the speedy scrum-half to dart over to give the lead back to Wales, before replacement front rower Joel Sclavi dived over and Argentina led 19-17.
With 6 minutes left in the match we saw what was arguably one of the best try-saving tackles ever made at a Rugby World Cup, as Welsh superstar in the making Louis Rees-Zammit was set up to dive in the at the corner, but Matias Moroni pulled off a miracle effort, and legally, to bump him out inches away from scoring.
As Wales tried to string another attack together, veteran Sanchez sealed the win with a well taken intercept and impressive sprint away downfield for a try. A late penalty then cemented their place in the semi final, after a frantic last ten minutes of the match.
“I am very proud of the team,” captain Julián Montoya said. “We like to be a team that fights for everything. [It was] far from perfect but we are going to Paris.
“Life is not perfect. It’s how you embrace the moment. That’s what rugby is about. Two more weeks with this team. I don’t want this to end ever. We need to be better, to be clinical in a lot of things.”
NEW ZEALAND vs IRELAND 28-24
Another epic contest played out at the Stade de France as New Zealand hung on to an incredible onslaught by Ireland late in the game, ultimately upsetting the number one team in the world and announcing themselves as being well and truly at this world cup.
After going up 6-0, the All Blacks then scored an excellent try through Leicester Fainga’anuku to take a 13-0 lead before form centre Bundee Aki crossed the whitewash against his former countrymen.
Ardie Savea, eventual Player of the Match, then dived over in the corner to keep the scoreboard ticking along before another former Kiwi, Jamison Gibson-Park, then also scored for Ireland, setting up a grandstand second half.
A brilliant Richie Mo’unga break set up flyer Will Jordan for his fifth try of the tournament, before a penalty try for Ireland preceded New Zealand suffering their second yellow card (after Aaron Smith earlier) as Codie Taylor was adjudged to have collapsed a maul.
The giant boot of Jordie Barrett, who had also brilliantly held up a try, then extended the lead with ten minutes left before the All Blacks were made to hold on in defence for an unbelievable 37 phases of Ireland pressure with time up.
It was an eighth quarter-final defeat for Ireland, who were brilliant in this year’s tournament and deserved more than to go out so early on. The draw hurt them ultimately. That, and a fired up New Zealand team who had enough experience and fight left in them to produce an amazing contest of the highest order.
It sets up a semi final meeting with Argentina at the Stade de France on Friday, 20 October.
“It was a crazy test match, an absolute arm wrestle for 83 or 84 minutes, both teams going at it,” said captain Sam Cane.
“A lot of credit has to go to Ireland. They have set the standard around world rugby for the last couple of years so we knew the challenge that we had here tonight.”
ENGLAND vs FIJI 30-24
Despite being upset by Portugal a week prior, Fiji came into the contest with a lot of hope and plenty to play for, after an impressive victory over the Wallabies and a match against Wales that they probably should have won.
England themselves had a lot to prove, and they started this one well as they shot out to a 21-10 lead thanks to tries by Manu Tuilagi, Joe Marchant and the boot of Owen Farrell.
Fiji had their moments but it was looking like a comfortable path through to the semi finals for the 2019 finalists, before the pacific island nation stepped things up to stage a thrilling comeback from 24-10 down to take things level at 24-24 with ten minutes left in the game.
But Farrell took control as he slotted a close-range drop goal and then a late penalty, ending on a 20-point tally for himself and a 30-24 quarter-final win.
“It’s very emotional for everyone,” said a dejected Semi Radradra.
“Josh’s (Tuisova) son was lost then Sam Matavesi’s dad passed away.
“It’s really tough on us, but the good thing is we stick together as a brotherhood. Sam is part of our team, part of the family. We are there with him.
“It was his call to play today. It was really big from him to make that call. It was unlucky we didn’t get the win tonight.”
England captain Farrell was very pleased with the win.
“I thought the team has done an excellent job of that over the group stages and now in a big knockout game. I think the effort, as Steve (Borthwick) said, of the full squad that has gone into this week has made it an enjoyable week and a week we have all got after together. That will continue now into next week.”
SOUTH AFRICA vs FRANCE 29-28
As if the first three matches didn’t provide enough drama and entertainment, the France vs South Africa quarter-final in Paris will go down as an all time classic, and the night Antoine Dupont’s men, and country, had their heart’s broken by the world champions.
France started with a wave of passion, giving the impression of the entire Stade de France being out there on the pitch, as they scored in the corner after just a few minutes.
The Springboks stuck to their game plan though and bounced back, which set the tone for a mind-blowing first half that saw six tries in the first 30 minutes.
Cheslin Kolbe’s conversion charge-down was one of the moments of an already fascinating match, and when Eben Etzebeth, earlier yellow carded, carried Matthieu Jalibert over the try-line for an almighty score, it felt like we were witnessing a heavyweight boxing match as each team refused to back down.
Handre Pollard, strategically subbed on for Manie Libbok, kicked a long-range penalty to give South Africa a 29-28 lead, and then it was a case of hanging on and holding off brilliant Dupont’s men, who looked dangerous throughout.
The hosts are out and South Africa will next face England, who they played twice in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, also held in France.
“I just thought we really wanted it,” said Springboks captain Siya Kolisi. “We knew how tough it was going to be. I must give credit to the guys that came off the bench, they came and made a huge difference.
“And most importantly, the people back at home. Honestly, the support that we’ve received. You know, they can’t afford to be here but the videos, the schools singing for us and the videos.
“We play for the nation, it’s not about us on this field any more, it’s about the people back home and that’s what’s driving us.”
SEMI FINALS:
New Zealand and Argentina will meet at the Stade de France on Friday night, followed by England and South Africa at the same venue on Saturday night.
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments