Argentina beat Namibia 63-3
Argentina are confident of qualifying for quarter-finals
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Ireland face an uphill battle to stay in the World Cup after they went down to a 25-3 defeat against France in the pool D match at the Stade de France this evening. |  |
Saturday, 22, Sep 2007 10:41
Argentina ran in nine tries against Namibia in a 63-3 win in the Pool D game in Marseille this evening and will now face Ireland in a possible winner-takes-all match on September 30th in Paris.
The Pumas dominated the game through their powerful forward line and easily scored four tries within 50 minutes which guaranteed them a bonus point.
Patricio Albacete claimed Argentina's first try as the Namibian defence failed to withstand the continuous pressure on their try-line and Albacete crossed over.
Number eight Juan Manuel Leguizamon scored another try after ten minutes as he broke from the base of an Argentine scrum and powered his way past two Namibian players.
Argentina's confidence grew and they started to play more expansive rugby which resulted in Manuel Contepomi finishing off a brilliant Argentine move to give them a comfortable 23-3 half-time lead.
Namibia crumbled in the second half and Argentina ran riot and scored six more tries through Felipe Contepomi, Gonzalo Tiesi, Ignacio Corleto, Federico Todeschini and a penalty try.
Ireland, who lost to hosts France last night, must now beat Argentina by seven points and score a bonus point to make the quarter-finals. Argentina will top Pool D if they beat Ireland and get a bonus point and would top the group even if they lose to Ireland in the unlikely event that France fail to beat Georgia.
"It was important to get a bonus. We're still out there and next week against Ireland will be tough," said Argentina skipper Agustin Pichot.
"Namibia were always going to give their best - that's rugby, that's good. We worked hard and we kept our composure and we finished well."