On the cusp of something truly special.
Ireland are on the brink of reaching the Rugby World Cup semi-finals for the first time in the tournament’s 28-year history.
Given that such players like Brian O’Driscoll, Keith Wood, Paul Wallace, Mick Galwey, Simon Geoghegan and Ronan O’Gara have all represented Ireland in past World Cups, that is quite an anomaly. However, it can all be set to rights on Sunday, around 3pm.
Standing in their way are an Argentina side that wasted a golden opportunity to topple the All Blacks, in their opening game, before swatting all other Pool C comers aside.
Ireland have won all of their last five encounters with los Pumas but, last summer for example, the South Americans have not always managed to face the men in green with a full deck. Still, Ireland should have no fear going into their third game, in this World Cup, at the Millennium Stadium [1pm kick-off].
Both teams were named on Friday afternoon and neither coach is holding anything back.
Here is the current State of the Nation…
Form
Ireland scored 16 tries in four Pool D games and took 18 points from a possible 20.
They negotiated Canada and Romania with little worries before Italy gave them pause for thought.
Ireland regrouped to deliver one of the most emphatic performances of the tournament against the French. They had over 60% possession, about 70% territory and put the biggest Irish beating on Les Bleus [24-9] in four decades.
Players that excelled in that triumph were Peter O’Mahony, Robbie Henshaw, Sean O’Brien and Rob Kearney. Unfortunately [as we will touch on below] two of those are out of the mix.
Argentina bounced back from their disheartening loss to New Zealand – they led at half-time but stuttered after the break – to easily deal with Georgia, Namibia and Tonga.
In doing so, they scored 179 points. That makes them the World Cup’s highest scoring team. They are also third on the try-scoring list [22], with only South Africa [23] and the All Blacks [25] ahead.
Juan Martin Hernandez, Santiago Cordero, Joaquin Tuculet and Tomas Cubelli have all excelled but their brawny pack remains Ireland’s greatest concern.
Injuries (and suspensions)
Where do we start?!
In the process of defeating France, last Sunday, Joe Schmidt lost two of his most trusted lieutenants. Peter O’Mahony, who had played the game of his life, and captain Paul O’Connell succumbed to respective, tournament-ending knee and hamstring injuries.
Allied to that was the inability of Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls to train fully this week after limping off, plus the suspension of Sean O’Brien, and Ireland are right up against it.
Aside from the suspensions of Marcelo Bosch [tip tackle – one week] and Mariano Galarza [interference with opponent’s eyes – nine weeks], Argentina are in decent nick.
Their biggest game, thus far, was their opener against New Zealand so, thanks to squad rotation, they have avoided any big injuries since.
Player to watch
Jordi Murphy, come on down.
The Leinster flanker has only had one hit-out all tournament – against Romania – but now he has been drafted in for the biggest game of his career.
Murphy replaces Peter O’Mahony at blindside and must mirror the Trojan work of the Munster captain in the France game. Quick line-out ball, front-foot ball and tackling like a lunatic are all required.
Argentina’s dangerman is fullback Joaquin Tuculet. The 26-year-old, who had spells with Cardiff and Grenoble in the past, possesses dangerous pace and a mean side-step.
The Pumas’ back three – with Santiago Cordero and Juan Imhoff also in form – are their biggest attacking weapon.
What Ireland need
Like we said before the France game, a grubby, horrid, one-point win will be enough.
The winner of this game gets to play Australia or Scotland at Twickenham in a World Cup semi-final.
The loser goes home.
Maradona has vowed to pay the Pumas another World Cup visit if they reach the semis.
Ireland are not only doing it for themselves and the nation – they are doing it for Paulie.
What they say
“We have confidence in our back-rows, Jamie Heaslip brings cohesion and the other two lads [Jordi Murphy and Chris Henry] bring freshness and vitality.”
– Joe Schmidt, Ireland Head Coach
What Argentina say
“These games are like El Clasico, they are derbies. I know Ireland has European teams but for us it has become a nice challenge, a great derby.“
– Argentina’s Juan Martin Hernandez
Pic of the week
Ireland’s forwards thinking of setting up a new boy band post-rugby? We suggest The Scrum Boyz.
Rory McIlroy dropped by, earlier in the week, to give some golfing tips. Some lads can’t be helped, however…
