Ireland vs. Argentina: Preview, Live Stream, TV Info for Rugby World Cup 2015 QF
Ireland, winners of Pool D, take on Pool C runners-up Argentina at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, in the third quarter-final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. This has the makings of a classic, and promises to be the tightest and hardest-fought of all the World Cup quarter-finals.
The key team news for Ireland is that Johnny Sexton is not fit to play at 10, per BBC Sport. The absence of Paul O’Connell from the second row is mitigated by the selection of Ian Henderson, one of Ireland’s best players so far this World Cup.
In the back row, Jordi Murphy is in at No. 6 and Chris Henry plays at No. 7. Being without blindside Peter O’Mahony for the tournament through injury and the rampaging Sean O’Brien for the quarter-final for a punch, has led to Ireland losing their key breakdown and ball-carrying forwards respectively. The back row is where Ireland will feel the strain of a depleted squad the most.
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Losing inspirational captain Paul O’Connell is a massive blow, as is the late withdrawal of Johnny Sexton but Ireland do not lack for leaders: Rory Best, Rob Kearney and new skipper Jamie Heaslip will step up.
Argentina have also been forced into some changes. Saracens centre Marcelo Bosch is banned following a dangerous tackle against Namibia, so Matias Moroni partners Juan Martin Hernandez in the centre. In the back row, Juan Manuel Leguizamon is not fit to take a place in the 23 and neither is prop Nahuel Tetaz. Meanwhile, Martin Landajo is preferred to Tomas Cubelli at scrum-half.
The Argentine back three has been razor sharp and has provided the perfect tonic to the Pumas’ traditional power play in the forwards and the direction provided by Nicolas Sanchez at 10. In particular, right wing Santiago Cordero has set the World Cup alight.
Interestingly, this matchup sees two highly pragmatic teams who back themselves in knockout rugby go head-to-head.
Match Details
Date: Sunday, October 18
Time: 1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
TV Info: UK, ITV1; Australia, Fox Sports; NZ, SkySport; South Africa, SuperSports
Live Stream: ITV Player (UK only)
Last five games
Ireland come into the match on the back of a couple of shaky group-stage performances, before a superb suffocating act against France. Ireland will hope that the reputed Joe Schmidt peak fitness masterplan pays off. In Argentina they will face their sternest test yet.
| October 11 | Ireland 24-9 France |
| October 4 | Ireland 16-9 Italy |
| September 27 | Ireland 44-10 Romania |
| September 19 | Ireland 50-7 Canada |
| September 5 | England 21-13 Ireland |
Argentina, despite an opening weekend loss to New Zealand, have been one of the form teams in the tournament. Indeed, it is arguable that had Argentina made the most of the All Blacks being down to 13 at the end of the first half in their match, it could have been the Kiwis who occupied the Pool C runners-up spot.
To reiterate the potency of Argentina’s attack, see the table below on points scored: Argentina are in form.
| October 11 | Argentina 64-19 Namibia |
| October 5 | Argentina 45-16 Tonga |
| September 25 | Argentina 54-9 Georgia |
| September 20 | Argentina 16-26 New Zealand |
| September 5 | Argentina 55-34 Leicester Tigers |
Team Lineups
Ireland: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Dave Kearney, Ian Madigan, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Iain Henderson, Jordi Murphy, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip
Argentina: Joaquin Tuculet, Santiago Cordero, Matias Moroni, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Imhoff, Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo; Marcos Ayerza, Agustin Creevy, Ramiro Herrera, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Leonardo Senatore
Players to watch
Argentina: Santiago Cordero
Young right wing Cordero has an eye for a weak defender, pace and a step. As a finisher trained in rugby sevens, Cordero always looks for space. Given that he will be facing Ireland, a comparison with Denis Hickie is apt. Cordero will relish one-on-one opportunities against Irish left wing Dave Kearney and any forwards lingering in the back line.
Ireland: Ian Madigan
In the absence of Johnny Sexton, Ian Madigan will need to have the game of his life at fly-half for Ireland. Argentina will target him with runners down his channel and Madigan must inspire confidence in the rest of the backline. Kicking well for territory and off the tee are non-negotiable if Ireland are to reach the semi-finals.
Prediction
With two teams who play with a similar, fiercely competitive yet pragmatic style, this one will go down to the final 10 minutes, with one score either way being the difference. Argentina by between one and five points.
Odds
Ireland: 8-13
Argentina: 7-4
Draw: 25-1
Via oddschecker.com
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