ARG 59-5 CHI: Argentina beat Chile to set up Japan showdown
Argentina boosted their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages with a bonus-point Pool D win over Chile in Nantes – the first match between two South American nations at a Rugby World Cup.
Fly-half Nicolas Sanchez marked his 100th cap with the opening try, before flanker Juan Martín González and veteran hooker Agustín Creevy – in his record-equalling 18th RWC match for Los Pumas - finished off two lineout mauls to extend the lead.
A yellow card for wing Rodrigo Isgro briefly halted Argentina’s momentum but Martin Bogado’s finish on the resumption sealed the bonus point and after Chile hooker Augusto Bohme had a try ruled out for a forward pass, Los Pumas added further scores via Isgro and González.
Sanchez’s fifth successful conversion saw him overtake Gonzalo Quesada as Argentina’s all-time leading Rugby World Cup points scorer, the fly-half finishing with a 20-point haul. Replacement hooker Tomas Dussaillant went over for Chile, but Ignacio Ruiz and Santiago Carreras crossed late on to add further gloss for Argentina.
Sanchez, the Mastercard Player of the Match, said about the 100-cap milestone: "It was very special for me. My family are here, 100 caps. I am very happy.
"But the most important thing is the team, we planned for this. We play for the team, not for individuals. We are very happy."
Los Pumas captain Jeronimo de la Fuente admitted the game was crucial for rugby to continue to grow in South America, saying: "It's very important for the South American region this kind of match, so we are happy and [we want] more matches like this."
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika's attentions now turn to Japan, with a last-eight spot up for grabs. He said about Japan: "They are a great team, they are quarter-finalists from the last World Cup and we're not, so we're very hungry to be in that position."
Chile captain Martin Sigren said: "I don’t think the result was what we were looking for in terms of the scoreboard, but what we put out there meant we were still in the fight until the last minutes.
"We missed lots of details – that is what you learn at this level – but I can’t be more proud, being part of this team and leading this group. I am super grateful for this whole experience.
"It is hard to put into words what it means to represent this group of players, coming from so far down. We have fought really hard to get here. It hasn’t been easy but they have shown resilience to keep on fighting with nothing in return. That is what makes me proud."
Head coach Pablo Lemoine was disappointed to end their Rugby World Cup with a loss but said Chile could take lots of positives from the tournament. He said: "It was a great experience. It was really tough after last week, but the boys worked hard through the week and today they showed what Chilean rugby is about.
"There are lots of things we must keep from this World Cup and take into the next cycle so we qualify for the next one."