Post by Taxigirl on Oct 26, 2003 13:08:40 GMT
Argentina 15-16 Ireland
Ireland are through to the quarter finals after a one point win over Argentina in Adelaide. Ronan O'Gara came off the bench to kick the crucial points in a tense affair in South Australia.
After the miss-match of Australia's 142-0 thrashing of Namibia on Saturday, another full house at the Adelaide Oval was treated to the best match of the tournament so far as the two closely-matched teams slugged it out an a traditional, forward-dominated battle.
With both teams aware that defeat could end their Cup hopes the match was underpinned throughout by a palpable nervous tension with few risks taken by either side.
Argentina, who beat Ireland in a quarter-final play-off four years ago, gave their all in a performance full of confidence but are now out of the competition having played all four of their group games in the space of 16 days.
Ireland, who scored the only try of the game through flanker Alan Quinlan midway through the first half, could still top the group with victory over Australia in their final group game next week but a more likely scenario is that they will finish second and face France in the quarter-finals.
The thousands of Irish fans forming the majority of the crowd went wild when the final whistle sounded but they had had little to cheer though the game as centre Brian O'Driscoll and his fellow backs were unable to display their talents in the face of swarming Argentine defence.
Argentina began the game on fire and got their reward for dominating the first five minutes with a penalty by Gonzalo Quesada, the man who broke their hearts in Lens four years ago.
They continued to make most of the running but Ireland got the day's only try after 20 minutes when captain Keith Wood stole the ball at the back of a lineout, charged forward and delayed his pass perfectly for Quinlan to score.
Quinlan though dislocated his shoulder as he bounced over the line and was replaced by Eric Miller.
David Humphreys converted and then added a penalty but a Quesada's drop goal and penalty brought the Pumas back within apoint as they trailed 10-9 at halftime, scant reward for the work of their driving forwards and solid defence.
With a stiff breeze at their backs, Argentina again looked lively at the start of the second half, though Quesada was wide with a penalty attempt that would have edged his side ahead after two minutes.
Ireland continued to fire blanks and coach Eddie O'Sullivan acted 15 minutes into the half, bringing on Ronan O'Gara for the disappointing Humphreys.
But it was Argentina who drew first blood in the half as fullback Ignacio Corleto unleashed a 50 metre drop goal to put his side 12-10 ahead.
Ireland hit back quickly though as O'Gara stuck penalties after 63 and 67 minutes after Wood had again inspired his team with a bullocking charge down the left wing.
The battle continued between the forwards though and Quesada set up a fantastic finale with another penalty six minutes from time to make it 16-15.
Ireland managed to finally get some control of the ball as the clock ticked down but Argentina threw everything into one last attack - only for fullback Girvan Dempsey to snuff out the danger with a huge tackle that sent winger Jose Nunez Piossek into touch and his team into the last eight.
Argentina:
Pens: Quesada 3.
Drop Goals: Quesada, Corleto.
Team: Corleto, Nunez Piossek, Orengo, F. Contepomi, Albanese, Quesada, Pichot, Grau, Mendez, Reggiardo, Fernandez Lobbe, Alvarez, Ostiglia, Martin, Longo Elia.
Replacements: Scelzo for Reggiardo (73).
Not Used: Ledesma, Albacete, Phelan, N. Fernandez Miranda, Gaitan, Martin Hernandez.
Ireland:
Tries: Quinlan.
Cons: Humphreys.
Pens: Humphreys, O'Gara 2.
Team: Dempsey, S. Horgan, O'Driscoll, Maggs, Hickie, Humphreys, Stringer, Corrigan, Wood, Hayes, O'Kelly, O'Connell, S. Easterby, Quinlan, Costello.
Replacements: O'Gara for Humphreys (56), Horan for Corrigan (56), Miller for Quinlan (20).
Not Used: Byrne, O'Callaghan, G. Easterby, Kelly.
Att: 33,000
Ref: Andre Watson (South Africa).