Rugby Championship Comes to Twickenham

Rugby Championship

Twickenham will stage the Rugby Championship Test match between Argentina and Australia later this year.

Tournament organisers SANZAAR have confirmed Saturday, October 8th as the date for a fixture that will make history as the first Rugby Championship match to be played outside any of the competing nations — Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa.

The game, which is a ‘home’ fixture for Argentina, will conclude this year’s competition. It starts on August 20th, and also incorporates venues such as Sydney, Wellington, Buenos Aires and Brisbane.

It means that Argentina and Australia will be back at Twickenham almost a year after they met each other on the same ground in a World Cup semi-final clash that the Wallabies won 29-15.

SANZAAR chief executive Andy Marinos said: “While we witness the daring and exciting brand of rugby played by southern hemisphere teams on a regular basis, last year’s Rugby World Cup well and truly showcased that skill and flair to the rest of the world.

“Now, we are thrilled to announce that two of our national teams, Argentina and Australia, will be returning to the United Kingdom some 12 months later to contest what will be a historic chapter of the Rugby Championship.”

Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie added: “We’re delighted to have the Rugby Championship coming to Twickenham Stadium this October, the first time that one of its matches has been played in England.

“After welcoming so many teams and fans here during the Rugby World Cup, it’s fantastic to be able to open our doors again.

“We were treated to a great match between these two teams in the Rugby World Cup, and I am sure that it’s set to be another high-octane encounter in the autumn.”

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South Africa Secure Bronze

South Africa finished third at the World Cup as they beat Argentina 24-13.

A JP Pietersen try and Handre Pollard's boot gave South Africa a 16-0 half-time lead before Nicolas Sanchez finally got the Pumas on the scoreboard.

But Eben Etzebeth's try put the Boks out of sight and Juan Pablo Orlandi's late reply was little consolation.

The only disappointment for the Boks was that Bryan Habana was unable to claim the all-time World Cup try scoring record on his own.

Bryan Habana narrowly failed to become the World Cup's sole all-time top try scorer

The 32-year-old winger came within inches of scoring in the first half, only to be denied by the fingertips of Argentina full-back Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino as they both chased a kick.

But with the record on his mind - he entered the game tied on 15 World Cup tries with New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu - he had a mixed game, and several spilled passes suggested it was not to be his night before he was taken off to a rapturous farewell from a packed Olympic Stadium with 15 minutes remaining.

South Africa fielded a near first-choice XV and the power of their pack ultimately told in east London.

Argentina enjoyed the majority of the possession but they ran into an unbreachable wall, with giant lock Etzebeth adding a game-high 20 tackles to his try and fellow second row Victor Matfield - captaining the Boks in his last-ever Test - weighing in with 16 in his hour on the pitch.

With open-side flanker Francois Louw winning a remarkable five turnovers on his own, to add to a dozen tackles, Argentina were never able to reproduce their attacking fizz from earlier in the tournament.

Argentina had most of the possession, but gave away 15 penalties to South Africa's 10

The Pumas, seeking to match their third-place finish in 2007, made nine changes as a result of injury and exhaustion, and they were unable to match the sheer physicality of the Boks.

They enjoyed the better of both territory and possession but with their pack out-gunned up front, dangerous runners such as Santiago Cordero and Horacio Agulla were never given a sniff of the Springbok tryline.

They made an impressive 564 metres as a team with ball in hand but were forced to attack from deep and every time they approached the South Africa 22 a thumping tackle or classy steal saw them repelled.

South Africa captain Victor Matfield, who is retiring from international rugby: "We would loved to have played in the final tomorrow but unfortunately things didn't go our way.

"We have a lot of respect for Argentina. A bronze medal is better than fourth place.

"I'm just so relieved we won the game. We'll have a beer with Schalk Burger and the guys I've spent so much of my life with."

Nicolas Sanchez scored eight points in the game, taking his tally to 97 points for the tournament and making him the top scorer at the 2015 World Cup so far.

Schalk Burger played in his 20th World Cup game, only ex-England prop Jason Leonard (22) and New Zealand's Richie McCaw (21) have played more games in the tournament (former Australia scrum-half George Gregan also played 20).

JP Pietersen scored his ninth World Cup try, only Bryan Habana (15) has scored more in the World Cup for the Springboks (former centre Jaque Fourie also has nine).

Teams

South Africa: Le Roux; Pietersen, Kriel, De Allende, Habana; Pollard, Pienaar; Mtawarira, B du Plessis, Malherbe; Etzebeth, Matfield; Louw, Burger, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Lambie for Le Roux (64), Serfontein for Habana (67), Paige for Pienaar (77), Nyakane for Mtawarira (40), Strauss for B du Plessis (48), J du Plessis for Malherbe (60), de Jager for Matfield (62), Alberts for Burger (53).

Argentina: Gonzalez Amorosino; Cordero, Moroni, De la Fuente, Agulla; Sanchez, Cubelli; Figallo, Montoya, Herrera; Alemanno, Lavanini; Ortega Desio, Fernandez Lobbe, Leguizamon.

Replacements: Gonzalez Iglesias for de la Fuente (70), Socino for Agulla (58), Landajo for Cubelli (52), Noguera for Figallo (61), Garcia Botta for Montoya (77), Orlandi for Herrera (55), Petti Pagadizabal for Alemanno (47), Isa for Fernandez Lobbe (52).

Sin bin: Cubelli (5).

Att: 55,925

Ref: John Lacey (Ireland).

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Wallabies Overcome Tame Pumas

Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a hat-trick of tries as Australia waltzed into a record-equalling fourth Rugby World Cup final after beating Argentina 29-15 in the second semi-final at Twickenham on Sunday.

The Wallabies, world champions in 1991 and 1999 and runners-up in 2003, will play their southern hemisphere rivals New Zealand - also in the final for the fourth time - back at Twickenham on Saturday.

The nervous Pumas leaked two early tries to Rob Simmons and Ashley-Cooper, but were battling for equilibrium when referee Wayne Barnes showed no mercy for Tomas Lavanini's misjudged low tackle on Israel Folau and showed him a yellow card.

David Pocock transformed Australia's breakdown and defensive zeal, denying the ever-ambitious Pumas any tries before Ashley-Cooper's late third score sealed a World Cup final meeting against the All Blacks.

A helter-skelter start turned harem scarum for Argentina when a nervy Nicolas Sanchez forced an inside ball, telegraphing his intentions in the process.

Wallabies lock Simmons latched on to the cut-back pass and galloped home to hand Michael Cheika's men the ideal opening within two minutes.

Sanchez and Juan Martin Hernandez then worked Marcelo Bosch clean through the midfield before Argentina forced a penalty in Australia's 22.

Poise recovered, Sanchez stepped up and slotted the kick to cut Australia's lead to four points.

But the occasion continued to rock the Pumas with Santiago Cordero knocking on in the process of tapping a mark he was trying to take quickly.

Australia struck straight from the scrum, Argentina's backline all flying inwards, gifting Ashley-Cooper an unopposed run-in for the second try, which Bernard Foley converted to push Australia 14-3 up after 10 minutes.

Argentina won a fine breakdown penalty but fluffed their five-metre lineout before Sanchez slotted his second three-pointer after a scrum penalty.

However, the points came at a price as the Pumas' lost danger man Juan Imhoff to injury.

Referee Barnes then incurred the wrath of the Argentina fans by sin-binning Lavanini for a no-arms tackle on Folau.

Lavanini could reasonably have expected a penalty for his indiscretion, but the addition of a yellow card after lengthy television review appeared harsh to the blue and white fans in attendance.

Somehow Argentina won a scrum penalty despite the loss of Lavanini. However their scrum then lost another key component as captain Agustin Creevy hobbled off after 30 minutes.

Despite their early heroics, Sanchez was turned over after a risky half-break from his own 22, and the Wallabies punished the Pumas.

Folau almost powered clear, before Matt Giteau floated a beautiful pass out to Ashley-Cooper, who slid home for his second try and the Wallabies' third.

Still Argentina pressed, Sanchez landing his third penalty of the half, before Cordero shredded the Wallabies' line to race close. However, Hernandez could not find full-back Joaquin Tuculet when halted just shy of the line, and Australia escaped to the break 19-9 up.

Foley missed a regulation penalty at the start of the second half before Argentina's attacking lynchpin Juan Martin Hernandez limped off the field.

Argentina then bulldozed Australia off their own scrum again, forcing a penalty that Sanchez landed with ease before Foley responded with a penalty of his own.

Argentina punted one kickable penalty to touch, then won another penalty from the lineout before Sanchez opted to take the three points.

With just a converted try between the teams Argentina continued to press, refusing to be broken by either their slow start or the Wallabies' stubbornness.

However, Australia's ferocious defence stood up to another test.

And after soaking up so much pressure across the course of the half, from a blindside lineout break the Wallabies struck.

Drew Mitchell exploited half a yard on the left wing to scoot through the line before scything n off the flank.

Mitchell evaded four cover tackles before flinging a desperate pass out to the right flank. Somehow the ball bobbled backwards and Ashley-Cooper scooped up and scooted home for his hat-trick score - the try that killed off the Pumas' resistance.

The Pumas battled on, throwing the ball about and attacking with skill, verve and excitement, but ultimately fell short of the line.

Australia now roll on into the final, where they will aim to dethrone defending champions the All Blacks in a clash between the two best sides in the competition, while Argentina face South Africa in a battle for third place.

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Rampant Pumas Maul Ireland

Argentina scored two late tries to seal an emphatic 43-20 win over Ireland in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals and continue the southern hemisphere's domination of the tournament.

Ireland's record of never having reached the semi-final of a World Cup continued as Argentina scored four tries through Juan Imhoff (2), Matias Moroni and Joaquin Tuculet.

Ireland battled back from a first-quarter deficit of 17-0 with tries from Luke Fitzgerald and Jordi Murphy making it a three-point game at one stage, but the Pumas powered away in the closing stages to repeat their 1999 and 2007 World Cup victories over the Irish.

Ireland, who have never reached the semi-finals of a World Cup, started as favourites but the absence of injured trio Sexton, O'Connell and O'Mahony, as well as the suspended O'Brien, gave Argentina belief that they would be able to bridge the gap.

And they started in spectacular fashion with a third-minute try after flanker Pablo Matera made hard yards down the middle.

The ball went quickly through the hands of Nicolas Sanchez, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Santiago Cordero before Moroni crossed in the corner the corner, Sanchez converting for a seven-point lead.

Ireland were shell-shocked but worse was to come after 10 minutes when another free-flowing move ended with Cordero's kick exposing the Irish cover.

It was touch and go whether wing Imhoff would reach the ball in time to ground it, but replays showed he did so brilliantly and Sanchez added the extras with a kick off the upright.

Ireland's injury curse struck again when Tommy Bowe left the field on a cart and Sanchez extended Argentina's lead to 17 points with a well-struck penalty.

But Argentina's momentum was slowed by the sin-binning of prop Ramiro Herrera for a late tackle on Keith Earls and Madigan finally put Ireland points on the scoreboard with a straightforward penalty.

However, Argentina restored their 17-point advantage when Ireland flanker Henry was penalised for entering the wrong side of a ruck and Sanchez's trusty boot did the rest.

Sanchez struck the post with another long-range attempt and Ireland made the most of their good fortune to counter from deep and Robbie Henshaw freed replacement wing Fitzgerald into space, who raced inside Tuculet for a try which Madigan converted.

Ireland were belatedly finding some rhythm but Argentina regained their composure and held the men in green at bay until the break.

The next score was crucial and Ireland almost raised the Millennium Stadium roof within four minutes of the restart when Fitzgerald made the most of quick line-out ball off the top.

Fitzgerald burst through some half-hearted Pumas tackling and off-loaded to Murphy, who charged over for a try which sent the Irish majority in the Cardiff crowd wild.

Madigan's conversion reduced it to a three-point game and they pummelled the Argentina line again, only for the Pumas defence to hold firm this time.

Argentina managed to find some breathing space and Imhoff's burst set up good field position, which allowed Sanchez to land a penalty and extend the gap to 23-17.

But Herrera's indiscipline caught up with him again at a ruck and Madigan was on target to leave the game on a knife-edge.

Ireland were applying pressure at the scrum as the contest headed towards its final quarter, but Madigan failed to take an opportunity to level the scores with a kick from just inside the Argentina half.

Argentina were appearing rattled but they enjoyed some territory and Devon Toner was penalised for a high tackle on Sanchez, which the outside-half made the most of to add another three points.

Both sides were making errors with so much at stake but Argentina were keeping Ireland at arm's length and making sure the game was being played in their opponents' half.

They looked to have had a penalty for a scrum infringement but Cordero broke into the Ireland 22 down the right.

The ball was recycled from right to left and Argentina had an extra man over, but Tuculet went for the gap and the television match official confirmed that the full-back had applied downward pressure before losing the ball.

Sanchez converted for a 33-20 lead and Imhoff powered through for his second try of the game, and his fifth of the tournament, to put the issue beyond doubt eight minutes from time.

The outside-half took his final total to 23 with his fourth conversion and fifth penalty of the game as Argentina eased into a semi-final date with Australia.

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Weepu in All Blacks Recall

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Veteran scrum-half Piri Weepu has been recalled to New Zealand's squad for their final two Rugby Championship Tests in Argentina and South Africa.

Captain Richie McCaw is also included after suffering a knee ligament problem, but is unlikely to be risked for the Pumas clash on 28 September.

Weepu, 30, has not played for the All Blacks since being dropped following the third Test against France in June.

New Zealand lead the Rugby Championship after winning their first four games.

Weepu returns to the touring squad as a replacement for TJ Perenara, who has a stress fracture in his left leg and will be out for six weeks.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said: "We have selected Piri as a replacement for two reasons.

"One, given the environments we are going into, it would be unfair to bring in a novice half-back, and secondly, we have also seen advances in his game in the areas we asked him to improve in."

Flanker McCaw looked set to miss the rest of the championship after picking up a knee injury in the All Blacks' 28-13 win over Argentina in Hamilton.

Hansen added: "With Richie, we believe that the best chance of having him available to play against South Africa [in Johannesburg on 5 October] is by having him travel with the squad and getting hands-on treatment from the All Blacks medical staff."

Tom Taylor, who made his All Blacks debut against Australia in Wellington last month, has been included in place of Dan Carter, who has a shoulder injury.

McKenzie Bags Wallabies Win

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Wallabies head coach Ewen McKenzie praised the Wallabies character and fighting spirit as Australia battled to a narrow 14-13 victory over Argentina in horrendous conditions in Perth on Saturday night.

The win was the Wallabies first of this year’s Rugby Championship campaign and gives them a much needed boost of condidence before they depart on a difficult tour to South Africa and Argentina.

"They're the moments that start to define the team and the character of the people," McKenzie said after the gutsy performance.

"I thought the guys fought pretty hard together. We found a method to play with carrying the burden of not being able to win. We've only won one from six games (in 2013).

"We haven't abandoned how we want to play, but you have to stick with what's relevant.

"There has been a fair bit of work going on from a lot of people and you need the win to validate what you've been doing.

"You have to start somewhere. A win tonight is a nice place . . . no one will back us to win [the next two Tests on tour], but now we've got a bit of confidence it's a dangerous thing."

The Wallabies led 14-3 at half time, thanks to some superb finishing from fullback Israel Folau and the trusty boot of inside centre Christian Leali’ifano but they had to weather the storm in the second half as the desperate Pumas threw everything at the Men of Gold’s line.

New Wallabies captain Ben Mowen was relieved to notch up a win in his first Test as skipper.

"I would have taken a 3-0 win . . . we just needed to win," he said

.

"We know the Rugby public hasn't been happy with results . . . we didn't put our heads in the sand, we saw those comments and they motivated us.

"To get a win like that tonight . . . there were moments where we needed to turn the screws and we did that. There were huge moments of character that can propel this team forward."

McKenzie predicted more positive results ahead for the Wallabies.

"It hasn't been all doom and gloom. There has been some positive things," he said.

"But the scoreboard is the only thing that's relevant, we had to get that right and we did tonight so we have to keep building."

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Wallabies Drop Will Genia

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Australia coach Ewen McKenzie has run out of patience with an out-of-sorts Will Genia, dropping the scrumhalf to the bench for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash against Argentina and installing a new captain with only six tests under his belt.

ACT Brumbies' Nic White has been promoted in place of Genia, who was also stripped of the captaincy in a stinging blow for a player rated one of the world's finest scrumhalves.

Number eight Ben Mowen, who made his test debut against the British and Irish Lions less than three months ago, will lead the team in Perth as regular skipper James Horwill battles to recover from a hamstring strain.

"The fact that Will has captained his country shows what high regard we hold him in and, while he is naturally disappointed, I also know how competitive he is and I've got no doubts he will train himself to a standstill to bounce back as a better player," McKenzie said in a media release.

"We've spoken about what areas we believe he can continue to improve and evolve his game and he was receptive to going back and addressing those things.

"In the end, it wasn't an easy decision because he is undoubtedly a world class player.

"However, we also feel Nic has earned an opportunity to start and will add his own uniqueness and point of difference to how we want to play this game."

McKenzie also tweaked a pack that has been hit by a number of injuries and struggled in last week's 38-12 demolition by South Africa and the two previous defeats to world champions New Zealand.

Tighthead prop Ben Alexander has been promoted from the bench at the expense of Sekope Kepu, while lock Sitaleki Timani comes into the reserves.

Backrower Ben McCalman retained the place on the bench he was handed by Horwill's injury, while centre Tevita Kuridrani was also given a spot among the replacements in place of fellow Brumbies back Jesse Mogg.

Barring Genia's demotion, the backline remains largely unchanged with James O'Connor and Nick Cummins swapping wings and Quade Cooper keeping his place at flyhalf.

Having started his tenure with three successive losses that have the Wallabies at the bottom of the standings, McKenzie had said he would "dumb down" his game-plan after the team's comprehensive defeat to South Africa.

On Wednesday, however, he defended his coaching staff's approach amid criticism in the wake of the Lang Park debacle.

"Australian rugby is renowned for smart, attractive and running rugby and there is a continued determination from the coaching staff and players to play with ambition and flair," he said.

"We aren't moving away from this philosophy."

Team: 15-Israel Folau, 14-James O'Connor, 13-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12-Christian Leali'ifano, 11-Nick Cummins, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Nic White, 8-Ben Mowen (capt), 7-Michael Hooper, 6-Scott Fardy, 5-Kane Douglas, 4-Rob Simmons, 3-Ben Alexander, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-James Slipper

Replacements: 16-Saia Fainga'a, 17-Scott Sio, 18-Sekope Kepu, 19-Sitaleki Timani, 20-Ben McCalman, 21-Will Genia, 22-Matt Toomua, 23-Tevita Kuridrani

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All Blacks Beat Pumas

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New Zealand extended their 100% start to the Rugby Championship with a hard-fought victory over a stubborn Argentina in rain-lashed Hamilton.

The Pumas took an early 7-0 lead with a converted Juan Manuel Leguizamon try.

But a Dan Carter penalty and two quick-fire tries from scrum-half Aaron Smith saw the All Blacks take a 15-10 half-time lead at Waikato Stadium.

Another Carter penalty and Julian Savea's try put the hosts 25-13 clear before Beauden Barrett's late penalty.

But the All Blacks, who equalled their own Tri-Nations/Rugby Championship record with a ninth straight victory in the annual southern hemisphere tournament, saw skipper Richie McCaw limp off with a knee injury on the hour.

Argentina also suffered a blow when Leicester-bound wing Gonzalo Camacho departed early in the second half with a dislocated shoulder.

The visitors had opened the scoring when debutant All Blacks centre Francis Saili knocked the ball on inside his own half and quick hands from the Pumas saw number eight Leguizamon cross, fly-half Nicolas Sanchez converting.

Carter's penalty in response saw Test rugby's record points-scorer become the first man to pass 1400.

He missed with two other shots in the atrocious conditions but when Pumas hooker Eusebio Guinazu was sent to the sin-bin after a series of penalties, the All Blacks pounced with a man advantage.

Smith grabbed his first try after the outstanding Kieran Read's offload out of a double tackle, then three minutes later fell on a kick ahead by Ben Smith after Carter had sparked a counter-attack.

A Sanchez penalty kept the Pumas in it at the interval.

But after the fly-half's exchange of penalties with Carter on the resumption, Read's charge-down of a Sanchez kick in the 54th minute allowed Carter, Saili and Conrad Smith to create the decisive try for Savea, his 14th in 14 Tests.

Carter converted with his last act of the game before his replacement, Barrett, put the outcome beyond doubt with five minutes left.

Saturday's second game sees Australia, who lost their opening two games home and away to New Zealand, host South Africa - who have beaten Argentina twice so far - in Brisbane.

New Zealand: Dagg, B Smith, C Smith, Saili, Savea, Carter, A Smith; Woodcock, Hore, Faumuina, Retallick, Whitelock, Luatua, McCaw, Read.

Replacements: Coles, Crockett, B Franks, Thrush, Cane, Kerr-Barlow, Barrett, Piutau.

Argentina: Hernandez, Camacho, Bosch, Fernandez, Agulla, Sanchez, Landajo, Ayerza, Guinazu, Figallo, Carizza, Farias Cabello, Fernandez Lobbe, Matera, Leguizamon.

Replacements: Creevy, Lobo, Orlandi, Galarza, Macome, Cubelli, Contepomi, Gonzalez Amorosino.

The Rugby Championship 2013

Saturday 18 August

Australia 29-47 New Zealand

South Africa 73-13 Argentina

Saturday 24 August

New Zealand 27-16 Australia

Argentina 17-22 South Africa

Saturday 7 September

New Zealand 28-13 Argentina

Australia v South Africa 

Saturday 14 September

New Zealand v South Africa

Australia v Argentina

Saturday 28 September

South Africa v Australia

Argentina v New Zealand

Saturday 5 October

South Africa v New Zealand

Argentina v Australia

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