Adelaide, Oct 27: Ireland win by one point against Argentina in their eliminator match in the Rugby World Cup.
Ireland withstood a furious assault from a spirited Argentina to emerge 16-15 winners of a thrilling pool A game on Sunday (Octotober 26) to assure themselves of a place in the World Cup's quarter-finals. Flanker Alan Quinlan scored a first half try for Ireland after a break by captain Keith Wood but was then forced to leave the field with a dislocated shoulder. Ireland, who led 10-9 at halftime, were rocked by a magnificent drop kick by Argentina fullback Ignacio Corleto which gave his side a one-point lead going into the final quarter. The Irish finally poured on the pressure with some spirited forays allowing Ronan O'Gara to kick two penalties. Argentine flyhalf Gonzalo Quesada then reduced the margin to a point with a penalty and Ireland in the end were grateful just to beat the side who knocked them out of the last World Cup.


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.


Teams: Ireland - 15-Girvan Dempsey; 14-Shane Horgan, 13-Brian O'Driscoll, 12-Kevin Maggs, 11-Denis Hickie; 10-David Humphreys, (21-Ronan O'Gara 56), 9-Peter Stringer; 8-Victor Costello, 7-Alan Quinlan (19-Eric Miller 22), 6-Simon Easterby, 5-Paul O'Connell, 4-Malcolm O'Kelly, 3-John Hayes, 2-Keith Wood (captain), 1-Reggie Corrigan (17-Marcus Horan 57).



Argentina - 15-Ignacio Corleto; 14-Jose Maria Nunez Piossek, 13-Jose Orengo, 12-Felipe Contepomi, 11-Diego Albanese; 10-Gonzalo Quesada, 9-Agustin Pichot; 8-Gonzalo Longo, 7-Rolando Martin, 6-Lucas Ostiglia, 5-Rimas Alvarez, 4-Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3-Mauricio Reggiardo, (17-Martin Scelzo 73), 2-Federico Mendez, 1-Roberto Grau. Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa)


Bureau Report