Argentina storm into semis with 29-17 win over Wales
Argentina scored two late tries to break Welsh hearts in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a 29-17 win at the Stade de Marseille in France on Saturday.
Joel Sclavi’s converted 68th-minute score was followed by an intercept try from Nicolas Sanchez to send the South Americans into next week’s semis. Wales are left to reflect on letting slip a golden opportunity to reach the last four, having led 10-0 after 22 minutes with all those points coming from Dan Biggar, whose Test career is now over.
They also led midway through the second half after Tomos Williams’ try had put them back in front, but Argentina’s dominance in the final 15 minutes proved decisive and they will now face New Zealand in next Friday’s semi-final in Paris.
As for Wales, a changing of the guard looms with Biggar ending a decorated international career just months after several stalwarts including Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric hung up their Test boots.
Wales’ opening score came in the 14th minute as they played quickly off a scrum to create space on the right. George North found space for a half-break before offloading to Gareth Davies on the inside, who fed Biggar a simple pass for an easy run-in.
He converted his own try before adding three more from the tee as Wales capitalised on a high Argentina penalty count. Wales’ dominance on the scoreboard was built on a foundation of solid
defence, having only allowed Argentina into their 22 once during the opening 30 minutes; conceding a penalty which Boffelli sent wide. However, in the final throes of the half, Argentina began to assert themselves and got on the scoreboard through a simple Emiliano Boffelli
penalty, before a needless late hit from Josh Adams invited the Argentina kicker to slot over his second and bring his side to within four points of Wales at half time. Having appeared disjointed and largely unthreatening for much of the opening 40, Argentina were buoyed by their late first-half recovery and carried that momentum into the second period.
Welsh discipline twice faltered early after the break allowing Boffelli to kick two more penalties and put Argentina ahead. Wales needed a spark, and it came through replacement scrum half Williams who, just seven minutes after coming off the bench to replace Davies, darted through a gap to sprint unopposed beneath the posts and put his side back in front.
Four minutes later Wales trailed as Sclavi drove over and Boffelli converted to make it 19-17.
The result was in the balance until the 77th-minute, when Sanchez picked off Sam Costelow’s pass to race in and spark wild Argentina celebrations at Stade Velodrome. (C.D)
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