Review: Argentina vs Australia

After a pulsating semi final it is Australia who triumph over Argentina to reach the final of this years Rugby World Cup. Two teams determined to play attacking rugby, this was a breathless encounter that will remain in the minds of those who witnessed it for years to come.

Australia began the half in superb fashion, recording the quickest try of RWC 2015. With less than two minutes on the clock, Rob Simmons shot out of the line and snapped up a well-telegraphed inside pass from Sanchez before sprinting clear for the score. Minutes later, the Argentinians would reclaim three with a simple penalty in front of goals. Australia wasted no time with their response. Off the back of the scrum platform, Foley would beat the oncoming Argentinian defence with a terrific looping pass to Adam Ashley-Cooper on the wing. Cooper would then follow up with a second, almost identical try twenty minutes later, during the controversial sin binning of Lavaninni in the 26th minute. Arm-less tackle the offence, but replays proved less than conclusive. Sanchez would claw back three points with Lavaninni in the bin, yielding a respectable two point deficit during the binning. Argentina entered the break with all fifteen back on the field, and trailing by a surmountable 10 points

The second half was a much tighter affair, as Argentina came out much more discplined in defence. In what was a tough and physical first quarter, Argentina struck first, again through the ever reliable boot of Nicolas Sanchez. Foley replied in kind moments later to keep the game finely poised. Another Sanchez penalty put just seven between the sides until the games pivotal moment. Substitute scrum half Nick Phipps whipped a pass out to Drew Mitchell who burst down the wing before cutting inside and finding Adam Ashley-Cooper on the opposite wing to score his third try of the game. That left 14 points between the sides with 10 minutes to go, a mountain just too high to climb for this brave Argentinian side. They had their moments in the final ten minutes, with Sanchez and Isa especially giving it everything, but Australia closed it out to secure a famous win and advance to the final.

Special mention must go to this Argentinian side as they bow out if the world cup. Electric play from the first minute to the last, the likes of Sanchez, Hernandez and Tuculet were a joy to watch. They will be better for this experience, and will no doubt be stronger come the 2019 World Cup in Japan in four years time. None the less it is Australia who will deservedly contest the World Cup final next week against New Zealand, and what a game that will be.