Rugby World Cup news LIVE: Argentina and New Zealand name line-ups for semi-final clash
The Rugby World Cup is quickly drawing to its conclusion with just three matches left to be played before one of the remaining four teams is crowned world champions. Argentina, New Zealand, England and South Africa are the final four teams left in the competition and will duke it out in the semi-finals this weekend for a place in the tournament’s showpiece.
First up is Argentina vs New Zealand. The Pumas reached the semi-finals having defeated Wales, rather comfortably in the end, 29-17 in their quarter-final clash while the All Blacks slugged it out against Ireland, just edging it past the world’s No.1 side 28-24. Now, the teams face each on Friday night with their starting XVs set to be announced later today.
On Saturday, England face current world champions, South Africa, in what should be a barnstorming encounter. Steve Borthwick’s side have had a relatively comfortable journey to the semi-finals but if they want to lift the trophy for the first time in 20 years then they will hope to continue their strong form. Their quarter-final win over Fiji was their strongest performance of the tournament so far but they’ll need to improve again against the Springboks.
Follow along for all the updates from the Rugby World Cup plus get all the latest odds and tips right here:
Rugby World Cup news live
The Rugby World Cup semi-finals are quickly approaching
Argentina name team to face New Zealand
New Zealand pick team to take on Argentina
England prepare for clash with South Africa
Owen Farrell silences critics as England survive Fiji fightback
Andy Farrell admits it’s ‘the end’ for Ireland after World Cup heartbreak
Mark Tele’a returns as All Blacks make surprise lock switch for semi-final
17:45 , Mike Jones
Wing Mark Tele’a has been brought back into the New Zealand side to face Argentina in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals after missing the All Blacks’ last eight win over Ireland for disciplinary reasons.
Tele’a replaces Leicester Fainga’anuku having been left out last weekend after breaching team protocols.
The other change to Ian Foster’s side comes in the second row, where Sam Whitelock, the most capped All Black ever, is preferred to long time locking partner Brodie Retallick.
Mark Tele’a returns as All Blacks make surprise lock switch for semi-final
Argentina make single change for New Zealand semi-final
17:30 , Mike Jones
Michael Cheika has made only a single change to his starting Argentina side for the Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.
Gonzalo Bertranou replaces Santiago Cubelli at scrum half, with last week’s starting nine dropping out of the 23 entirely.
Otherwise, the rest of the matchday 23 is identical to that utilised in the quarter-final win over Wales in Marseille, with replacement hooker Agustin Creevy in line to become the oldest World Cup semi-finalist of all-time.
Argentina make single change for All Blacks semi-final
New Zealand pick team to take on Argentina
17:19 , Mike Jones
Head coach Ian Foster has named his New Zealand match-day 23 for his team’s semi-final against Argentina om Friday. Left-wing Mark Tele’a is back in the starting XV for Leicester Fainga’anuku.
Sam Whitelock comes into the second row as a straight swap for Brodie Retallick, who moves to the bench where he is joined by replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, as Dane Coles drops out.
New Zealand XV: 15-Beauden Barrett, 14-Will Jordan, 13-Rieko Ioane, 12-Jordie Barrett, 11-Mark Tele’a, 10-Richie Mo’unga, 9-Aaron Smith; 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-Samuel Whitelock, 5-Scott Barrett, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Sam Cane, 8-Ardie Savea
Replacements:16-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17-Tamaiti Williams, 18-Fletcher Newell, 19-Brodie Retallick, 20-Dalton Papali’i, 21-Finlay Christie 22-Damian McKenzie, 23-Anton Lienert-Brown
Argentina name team to face New Zealand
17:15 , Mike Jones
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has brought in scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou for Tomás Cubelli in the only change from the team that beat Wales in the quarter-final, for their Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Saint-Denis on Friday.
Argentina XV: 15-Juan Cruz Mallia, 14-Emiliano Boffelli, 13-Lucio Cinti, 12-Santiago Chocobares, 11-Mateo Carreras, 10-Santiago Carreras. 9-Gonzalo Bertranou, 1-Thomas Gallo, 2-Julián Montoya, 3-Francisco Gómez Kodela, 4-Guido Petti Pagadizabal, 5-Tomas Lavanini, 6-Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7-Marcos Kremer, 8-Facundo Isa.
Replacements:16-Agustín Creevy, 17-Joel Sclavi, 18-Eduardo Bello, 19-Matias Alemanno, 20-Rodrigo Bruni, 21-Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22-Nicolas Sanchez, 23-Matías Moroni
Argentina coach relishing chance to face New Zealand
16:55 , Mike Jones
Argentina coach Michael Cheika will relish seeing his side reach the Rugby World Cup final by beating the All Blacks in the semi-final on Friday.
“We knew the first game would be a bit rough for us. We learned a lot because there were a lot of first-time World Cuppers in there.
“They [his players] learned a lot from that game in terms of handling what is knockout footy in what wasn’t knockout footy – every game since has been knockout.
“Even in that game against England, we showed a lot of fight, but we didn’t handle the occasion well. We still gave it plenty. We have to remember in that game it was nine kicks, we didn’t give up a try.
“You have got to look at it with your playing roster, the team you are going to play, what the turnaround time is and just try and plan it out so it works to get a bit of flow.”
Warren Gatland plans to lead Wales at the 2027 World Cup
16:45 , Mike Jones
Warren Gatland is to remain as Wales head coach and lead them to the 2027 World Cup.
Gatland placed his future in the hands of the Welsh Rugby Union following his side’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina on Saturday.
The 60-year-old New Zealander, pointing to a break-up clause in his contract, said: “If the union want to get rid of me, that’s up to them.”
But asked at a press conference on Wednesday whether he will stay through to the next World Cup in Australia, Gatland said: “Absolutely. That’s the plan.”
Warren Gatland plans to lead Wales at the 2027 World Cup
All Blacks determined to face the Pumas
16:35 , Mike Jones
Defence coach Scott McLeod said the All Blacks were determined to get their preparations right for the semi-final with the Pumas at the Stade de France.
“I thought last week our detail, our energy and our focus was top class and it gave the players confidence to go out and execute that under pressure,” McLeod said. “In 2019, we didn’t do that as well in our week leading into England, and it’s not necessarily the opposition it’s just the quality of what we put into the week.
“Our captain Kieran Read couldn’t train and there were disruptions. So we have to make sure that we don’t have those disruptions and we build the week with the quality and the focus that we did last week. And we respect Argentina, they are a different beast to Ireland and we will slowly build the week. We have to get excited about that and we will.”
Antoine Dupont slams referee after France crash out of Rugby World Cup
16:24 , Mike Jones
France crashed out of a home Rugby World Cup in heartbreaking fashion as they went down to South Africa in one of the greatest matches of all time and Antoine Dupont slammed the refereeing in the aftermath of the loss.
A thrilling quarter-final at the Stade de France ended with the Springboks triumphing 29-28 as France’s last-gasp stand to try and find the single score that would have led them to victory came up agonisingly short, in an excruciatingly similar manner to Ireland 24 hours earlier at the same stadium.
In a match decided by the finest of margins, Les Bleus captain Dupont – whose recovery from a fractured cheekbone suffered just 24 hours prior had dominated the build-up to the game –was unhappy with referee Ben O’Keeffe and let rip in his post-match press conference.
Antoine Dupont slams referee after France crash out of Rugby World Cup
Johnny Sexton reflects on his career after Ireland’s devastating World Cup exit
16:14 , Mike Jones
Teary-eyed Ireland captain Johnny Sexton reflected on a “gutting” end to his glittering career following a heartbreaking World Cup exit at the hands of New Zealand.
Andy Farrell’s class of 2023 were bidding to make history in Paris by becoming the first Irish team to reach the last four of the tournament.
But the world’s top-ranked team trailed for most of an enthralling contest before falling agonisingly short as their quarter-final curse continued with a 28-24 loss.
Johnny Sexton reflects on his career after Ireland’s devastating World Cup exit
South Africa’s Handre Pollard expecting to face ‘ruthless’ England in semi-final
16:03 , Mike Jones
Fly-half Handre Pollard says the pressure of representing South Africa at the World Cup is a privilege as he bids to inflict more misery on England.
Pollard kicked 22 points in the 2019 final to guide the Springboks to glory with a 32-12 win and still remembers the disappointment etched on the faces of Eddie Jones’ men.
The fit-again Leicester playmaker is competing with Manie Libbok to start Saturday’s Paris semi-final after initially being overlooked for his country’s squad due to a calf injury.
South Africa’s Handre Pollard expecting to face ‘ruthless’ England in semi-final
Eddie Jones commits his coaching future to Australia
15:54 , Mike Jones
Eddie Jones has committed his future to coaching Australia and again denied speculation linking him with a return to Japan.
Australia crashed out of the Rugby World Cup at the group stage for the first time after defeats to Fiji and Wales, but the former England coach insists he has no plans to move.
“I’m staying mate,” he told reporters in Australia. “I’ve always been committed to Australian rugby, I want to leave it in a better place, and that’s still the job.”
Eddie Jones commits his coaching future to Australia amid Japan rumours
Revenge no motivation for England’s semi-final with South Africa – Ollie Chessum
15:45 , Mike Jones
England second row Ollie Chessum insists revenge is not a motivating factor for Saturday’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
The rivals collide for the sixth time in the tournament’s history with the most recent of those meetings taking place in Yokohama four years ago when Eddie Jones’ side were toppled 32-12 in the final.
Having demolished New Zealand a week earlier, England were expected to topple the Springboks but instead they were off the pace from the start and overwhelmed as a consequence.
Revenge no motivation for England’s semi-final with South Africa – Ollie Chessum
Warren Gatland reacts to ‘disruptive’ referee change after Wales knocked out of Rugby World Cup
15:35 , Mike Jones
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has described the referee change during his side’s quarter-final defeat to Argentina as “disruptive”.
Gatland’s side exited the Rugby World Cup after a 29-17 defeat in Marseille.
Karl Dickson, who began the game as an assistant, was pressed into duties with the whistle after referee Jaco Peyper suffered an injury after 15 minutes at the Stade Velodrome.
Warren Gatland reacts to ‘disruptive’ referee change after Wales defeat
Wounded warrior Dan Biggar bows out to usher in next Welsh generation
15:24 , Mike Jones
As the Argentina players joined their joyous, jumping fans in celebration, a lone Welsh figure sloped away. Across the Stade Velodrome touchline Dan Biggar went, eyes turning red like his shirt as the tears started to come on the fly half’s last, lonely trudge out of international rugby.
Biggar greeted his children with a brave face but this wasn’t how it was supposed to end. By the time of his substitution, five minutes from the finish, Biggar’s body was in bits, Wales’ wounded warrior off with a grimace and knowing that this was, surely, it. He’d barely sat down when his successor-in-waiting, Sam Costelow, threw that final, fateful pass for the Nicolas intercept score that sealed it - the last hope had drained away.
“You know sometimes when you’re absolutely hands-down beaten, you can hold your hands up and let it slide a little bit but we felt like we had control of that game, certainly for large periods of that first half,” the fly half reflected. “We probably could have been a couple more scores ahead.
Wounded warrior Dan Biggar bows out to usher in next Welsh generation
France vs South Africa referee responds to Antoine Dupont criticism
15:15 , Mike Jones
Referee Ben O’Keeffe has brushed off Antoine Dupont’s criticism of his performance in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final between France and South Africa, accepting that “players and coaches are going to say things”.
Dupont suggested that the officiating had not been “up to the mark” in France’s narrow last eight defeat.
O’Keeffe has subsequently been appointed to take charge of the Springboks again, with the New Zealander set to have the whistle for Saturday’s semi-final against England.
France vs South Africa referee responds to Antoine Dupont criticism
‘Everyone wants England to lose’: Ellis Genge takes aim at World Cup critics
15:07 , Mike Jones
Ellis Genge has said that “everyone” wants England to lose as Steve Borthwick’s side begin to ready themselves for a World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
Borthwick’s unfancied England are the only unbeaten team left in France after a weekend that saw all of Ireland, France and Wales exit the tournament.
They remain outsiders to win the World Cup, particularly with an outstanding Springboks side up next fresh from felling the hosts.
But some players within Borthwick’s squad appear to be relishing that position as underdogs, repeatedly insisting that a side that had won just three of nine games under their head coach before this tournament had been written off too soon.
‘Everyone wants England to lose’: Ellis Genge takes aim at World Cup critics
Was Cheslin Kolbe’s crucial charge-down in South Africa vs France illegal?
14:58 , Mike Jones
Video footage has emerged on social media suggesting that Cheslin Kolbe’s crucial chargedown in South Africa’s win over France should not have been permitted.
Kolbe blocked the attempt from the tee of former Toulouse teammate Thomas Ramos as the France full-back looked to convert Peato Mauvaka’s second try with the game tied at 12 point apiece.
The Springboks went on to win the game by a single point, sustaining their defensive effort across a long final passage as France sought to set up a position from which they could snatch the win.
Was Cheslin Kolbe’s crucial charge-down in South Africa vs France illegal?
South Africa brimming with confidence for England ‘challenge’ after epic win
14:46 , Mike Jones
Manie Libbok admitted South Africa will be loaded with confidence going into their World Cup semi-final with England after coming through one of the greatest rugby matches in living memory with a one-point victory over hosts France.
In a titanic quarter-final in Paris on Sunday, the Boks twice came from behind to eke out a 29-28 triumph, ending Les Bleus’ 18-game winning run on home soil and ruining their talismanic captain Antoine Dupont’s much-hyped return from injury.
Having pulled off such a momentous victory, the defending champions are now hot favourites to see off Steve Borthwick’s England at Stade de France next Saturday and reach the final for a second tournament running.
South Africa brimming with confidence for England ‘challenge’ after epic win
Johnny Sexton exits as Ireland’s best ever but with an even greater legacy
14:36 , Mike Jones
Very few athletes get the fairytale ending to leave their sport at the top. For every Steve Redgrave (who retired after a fifth straight Olympic rowing gold medal at Sydney 2000), Mark Spitz (who followed a then-record seven Olympic golds at Munich 1972 by hanging up his swimming goggles) or Rocky Marciano (bowing out as heavyweight boxing champion of the world in 1955 with a perfect 49-0 record), there are thousands of greats who step away after one final moment of heartbreak and disappointment.
It might not diminish their legacies but it’s not the satisfying finale that Hollywood would have us believe is the norm.
So in that sense, after Ireland’s 37 phases of agony against New Zealand led to the latest Rugby World Cup quarter-final exit, Johnny Sexton isn’t special. Yet ask almost anyone involved with the game just how much he’s done for Irish rugby and you quickly see exactly how special he is.
Johnny Sexton exits as Ireland’s best ever but with an even greater legacy
Ireland’s 37 phases of agony define greatest heartbreak as World Cup curse continues
14:26 , Mike Jones
This time was supposed to be different. This Ireland team were different… are different. But, come the end, the result was the same. On quarter-final weekend, for the eighth time in 10 Rugby World Cups, Ireland head home defeated and the wait for a first-ever knockout win goes on.
You could feel the desperation around the Stade de France, awash with green thanks to the Irish fans doing their part, as Ireland went through phase after phase after phase after phase hunting the try that could overturn the 28-24 scoreline staring back at them from the giant screen.
A move that started well inside their own half, with 77 minutes on the clock, ended 37 phases and five minutes later in heartbreak. Thirty-seven gruelling phases of Bundee Aki grinding out extra yards with each punishing carry, Tadhg Beirne left at a literal standstill through tiredness and Johnny Sexton – for the final time ahead of retirement – running the famous wraparound upon which he’s built maybe the greatest Ireland career of all-time. But it ended, almost inevitably, with a turnover deep in the New Zealand 22, the ball being kicked to touch and the men in green sinking to the floor bereft.
Ireland’s 37 phases of agony define greatest heartbreak as World Cup curse continues
England rugby fans dressed as Lord Nelson involved in chaotic fights during World Cup clash
14:18 , Mike Jones
England rugby fans dressed as Lord Nelson were thrown out of the World Cup quarter-final against Fiji after fights broke out in the stands in Marseille.
Video surfaced on social media that showed multiple fans involved in scraps at the Stade Velodrome, with one supporter being picked up and launched down several rows of seats amid the scuffles.
The fight appeared to involve a group of men in fancy dress and was during a thrilling quarter-final clash, which England won 30-24 after surviving a late Fiji comeback.
England rugby fans involved in chaotic fights during World Cup clash
What’s next for Fiji after a Rugby World Cup to remember
14:09 , Mike Jones
Never has it been clearer that Fiji do things differently. It can’t have been more than 90 minutes after defeat to England was confirmed when the sound of a Pacific Island beat and stomping feet bounced around the bowels of the Stade Velodrome, Simon Raiwalui’s beaten side making their Rugby World Cup exit with a boombox, and their heads, held high.
There was disappointment there, of course, perhaps most prominently on the face of the captain Waisea Nayacalevu, frustrated not just about the opportunities missed both against England and earlier in the tournament, but also perceived mistreatment by the officials. For coach Raiwalui, though, the overriding emotion was pride.
“The joy is there,” Raiwalui said. “We celebrate together, we suffer together. For 15 weeks these boys have worked hard and we will celebrate that. We’re hurting now in terms of the result but I couldn’t be prouder of this group in terms of what they’ve put in. They’ve built something for the next generation of Fijian rugby players. They’ve laid a foundation.
What’s next for Fiji after a Rugby World Cup to remember
The two sides of Rassie Erasmus, the puppet master pulling South Africa’s strings at Rugby World Cup
13:58 , Mike Jones
The mind games began on Sunday night. South Africa had just booked their place in the last four of the Rugby World Cup, pipping France in an instant classic in Paris, and the Springboks’ director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, was straight on social media to start his game week stirring.
As Erasmus searched for England Rugby’s account on X, formerly Twitter, and clicked the follow button, he knew he would be noticed. At the time of writing, South Africa’s opponents on Saturday are the only account that Erasmus follows. The 50-year-old has form – before Ireland and Scotland’s decisive Pool B encounter, the two Celtic nations were the sole occupiers of the coach’s ‘following’ feed.
Such social media tomfoolery will matter little come Saturday but speaks to Erasmus’s unique approach to life and rugby. The architect of South Africa’s World Cup triumph four years ago as head coach, Erasmus has since stepped up into a directorial role, with former assistant Jacques Nienaber taking on head coach duties.
The two sides of Rassie Erasmus, the puppet master pulling South Africa’s strings
Rassie Erasmus predicts entire England team for World Cup semi-final as mind games begin
13:48 , Mike Jones
Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby, has predicted the entire England team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final as the mind games continue ahead of a rematch of the 2019 tournament final.
Erasmus was speaking to the media for a second consecutive day at the start of semi-final week at a press conference in Presles, 30 kilometres north of Paris.
Neither side is due to name their squad for the last four encounter until Thursday, but the former Springboks head coach arrived with a provisional fifteen he thought Steve Borthwick would be considering on a bit of paper.
Springboks director predicts England semi-final team as mind games begin
The one change England must make to combat ‘incredible’ Springboks in World Cup semi-final
13:39 , Mike Jones
In the minutes after a thrilling, thumping quarter-final in Marseille, the Stade Velodrome DJ reached into his record collection and plucked out some early Eighties Elton John. It felt like an appropriate soundtrack. On a weekend where Wales, Ireland and France faded away, England – somehow, some way – are still standing.
Talk of a hemispheric shift proved premature, with a southern sweep elsewhere leaving Steve Borthwick’s side the only unbeaten outfit left in this odd World Cup. A team that once never could have hoped to win now find themselves in the final four; the Six Nations’ hopes at this tournament rest, almost unfathomably, with England.
Not that one would expect too many Welsh, Irish or French supporters to seek comfort in an embrace of white cotton. For France and Ireland, particularly, it will rankle to have used the last four years so brilliantly to build a contender and find that it is England’s rushed construction that has endured. There is still every chance that Borthwick’s new-build comes crashing down once subjected to a Springboks storm, but so far England have proved, just about, up to code.
The one England team change to combat ‘incredible’ Springboks
Marcus Smith hailed after ‘face smashed’ as England consider his role for World Cup semi-final
13:28 , Mike Jones
Kevin Sinfield has hailed the bravery of Marcus Smith as England consider their full-back options for the Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
Smith made a couple of key defensive interventions in the quarter-final against Fiji despite suffering a cut to the lip after an early head-on-head collision with Vinaya Habosi.
The Harlequins playmaker returned after being patched up as England secured a last-four meeting with the defending champions.
His selection had come at the expense of Freddie Steward, who had started 29 of his country’s previous 30 games but found himself omitted from the matchday 23.
Marcus Smith hailed after ‘face smashed’ as England consider role for semi-final
Steve Borthwick hails ‘written off’ England after reaching World Cup semi-final
13:17 , Mike Jones
England head coach Steve Borthwick hailed his players’ composure and resilience after they repelled a thrilling Fiji fightback to book a place in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals.
Fiji tied the game after scoring two converted tries in four second-half minutes, but skipper Owen Farrell kicked a late drop-goal and penalty to see England home 30-24.
England will now face holders South Africa in the last four in what will be a repeat of the 2019 final, after the Springboks beat hosts France in their quarter-final on Sunday evening.
Steve Borthwick hails ‘written off’ England after reaching World Cup semi-final
Rugby World Cup 2023 schedule: Semi-finals fixtures, dates and kick-off times
13:09 , Mike Jones
The 2023 Rugby World Cup is down to the final four after the hosts France were knocked out and South Africa progressed to the semi-finals.
An entertaining pool stage saw France, Ireland, Wales and England top their groups, while New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Argentina finished as runners-up to set up a mouthwatering set of quarter-finals.
They delivered and then some. First Wales were edged by Argentina in Marseille, before the world No 1 side Ireland were left heartbroken in narrow four-point defeat to the resurgent All Blacks in Paris. England stumbled past Fiji with some dogged late defence on Sunday, and the last quarter-final was surely the best of the lot as South Africa beat France by one point in an epic encounter.
Rugby World Cup 2023 schedule and kick-off times for semi-finals
Rugby World Cup power rankings: Assessing the final four
13:00 , Mike Jones
The Rugby World Cup’s final four have been decided after a thrilling quarter-final weekend in France.
Ireland and France, who topped our rankings last week, are out of the tournament, their dreams dashed by New Zealand and South Africa in two outstanding matches in Paris.
How do the four remaining nations stack up in our power rankings? Here, The Independent assesses the semi-finalists:
1. South Africa
Top of the pile after pipping the hosts in Paris are the Springboks. In a game of fine margins, their bench impact and calm telling crucial in the final few moments.
England will be charged up for the semi-final given what happened in Yokohama four years ago but this version of South Africa might be even better.
Rugby World Cup power rankings: Assessing the final four
12:50 , Mike Jones
The Rugby World Cup’s final four have been decided after a thrilling quarter-final weekend in France.
Ireland and France, who topped our rankings last week, are out of the tournament, their dreams dashed by New Zealand and South Africa in two outstanding matches in Paris.
How do the four remaining nations stack up in our power rankings? Here, The Independent assesses the semi-finalists:
2. New Zealand
New Zealand took the other instant classic in Paris, their 37-phase final defensive stand a remarkable physical and mental achievement.
All three Barrett brothers were outstanding at the Stade de France, with Sam Cane producing a real captain’s performance, too.
Rugby World Cup power rankings: Assessing the final four
12:40 , Mike Jones
The Rugby World Cup’s final four have been decided after a thrilling quarter-final weekend in France.
Ireland and France, who topped our rankings last week, are out of the tournament, their dreams dashed by New Zealand and South Africa in two outstanding matches in Paris.
How do the four remaining nations stack up in our power rankings? Here, The Independent assesses the semi-finalists:
3. England
Credit must be extended to Steve Borthwick and England, who have navigated their way into a World Cup semi-final that, while far from ever being out of reach, looked distant during their August struggles.
Will the emotional intensity of a World Cup final rematch against the Springboks enable them to lift their level?
Rugby World Cup power rankings: Assessing the final four
12:30 , Mike Jones
The Rugby World Cup’s final four have been decided after a thrilling quarter-final weekend in France.
Ireland and France, who topped our rankings last week, are out of the tournament, their dreams dashed by New Zealand and South Africa in two outstanding matches in Paris.
How do the four remaining nations stack up in our power rankings? Here, The Independent assesses the semi-finalists:
4. Argentina
Argentina celebrated their quarter-final win over Wales wildly, perhaps recognising that a last four berth makes this tournament a success.
But the Pumas will be in the mix against the All Blacks, a side they beat twice during the four-year cycle before this tournament and who perhaps have a few physical frailties that Argentina’s gainline winners are capable of exploiting.
Referee criticised by Dupont chosen for England vs South Africa at Rugby World Cup despite France controversy
12:22 , Mike Jones
New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe has been appointed to referee the Rugby World Cup semi-final between England and South Africa despite criticism of his performance on quarter-final weekend.
France captain Antoine Dupont suggested that the officiating “wasn’t up to the level” required as the hosts exited the tournament at the hands of the Springboks at the Stade de France.
World Rugby have nonetheless backed their official, with O’Keeffe given another marquee appointment.
Referee criticised by Dupont chosen for England vs South Africa at Rugby World Cup
Antoine Dupont slams referee after France crash out of Rugby World Cup
12:13 , Mike Jones
France crashed out of a home Rugby World Cup in heartbreaking fashion as they went down to South Africa in one of the greatest matches of all time and Antoine Dupont slammed the refereeing in the aftermath of the loss.
A thrilling quarter-final at the Stade de France ended with the Springboks triumphing 29-28 as France’s last-gasp stand to try and find the single score that would have led them to victory came up agonisingly short, in an excruciatingly similar manner to Ireland 24 hours earlier at the same stadium.
In a match decided by the finest of margins, Les Bleus captain Dupont – whose recovery from a fractured cheekbone suffered just 24 hours prior had dominated the build-up to the game –was unhappy with referee Ben O’Keeffe and let rip in his post-match press conference.
Antoine Dupont slams referee after France crash out of Rugby World Cup
France suffer painful symmetry with Ireland as Springboks continue southern dominance
12:03 , Mike Jones
Ireland and New Zealand played out the greatest Rugby World Cup quarter-final of all time, which ended with 37 phases of Irish agony, and yet it took just 24 hours for that game to be bettered by France and South Africa.
It may not have been quite 37 phases, but France’s own final stand – desperately, fruitlessly searching for that decisive score to overcome the inevitable as the clock turns red – ended the same, heartbreaking way. French bodies dropped to the turf in despair, almost exactly mirroring their Irish counterparts from 24 hours earlier, and a southern hemisphere nation celebrated the ongoing World Cup domination over a northern hemisphere titan.
It’s safe to say that no stadium in history has hosted two better games of rugby in the space of one weekend than we’ve been treated to at the Stade de France. It’s also highly likely that no venue has ever witnessed two such incredible occasions, regardless of the sport, in as many days.
France suffer painful symmetry with Ireland as Springboks continue southern dominance
Owen Farrell silences critics as England survive Fiji fightback
11:55 , Mike Jones
It had to be him. At a ground where his great mate George Ford had produced one of the special individual World Cup performances just weeks ago, Owen Farrell fashioned his own version of a Marseille masterpiece, silencing the critics with a 20-point tally and his best showing in an England shirt for years.
And how England needed their captain. This was eventually an incredibly tight game against a valiant Fiji, so nearly victorious after summoning a second-half comeback seemingly from nowhere. It may have lacked the pure accuracy and ingenuity of Ireland vs New Zealand, but this was a compelling contest all the same, played with a hellacious physicality throughout.
At various stages, England looked to be roaring into the semi-finals but found a 14-point second-half lead eroded quickly by a fabulous Fijian fightback, Levani Botia and Semi Radradra threatening to bend the game to their will. Certainly neither deserves to be exiting the World Cup at this stage.
Owen Farrell silences critics as England survive Fiji fightback
Andy Farrell admits it’s ‘the end’ for Ireland after World Cup heartbreak
11:48 , Mike Jones
Andy Farrell admits that this Ireland team have reached ‘the end’ of their journey after a gut-wrenching defeat to New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
While trying to end Ireland’s quarter-final hoodoo at World Cups, the class of 2023 instead endured perhaps the most heartbreaking loss of all as a 37-phase final attack failed and the All Blacks prevailed 28-24 for an eighth defeat at the last-eight stage in the tournament’s history.
The defeat marked the final game for captain Johnny Sexton, who goes into retirement as perhaps Ireland’s greatest-ever player, while Keith Earls will also hang up his boots and the likes of Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Bundee Aki – all in their mid-30s – would also appear unlikely to make the next World Cup in four years’ time.
Andy Farrell admits it’s ‘the end’ for Ireland after World Cup heartbreak
Argentina scrap their way to Rugby World Cup semi-finals as Wales come up short
11:40 , Mike Jones
Louis Rees-Zammit leapt for the corner and came down with an anguished cry. A scrappy contest always looked likely to be a game of inches – and the Wales wing had come up agonisingly short.
By the end, there were bodies strewn all around the Stade Velodrome, the damage of a demolition derby all too clear to see. Argentina won’t remotely care. Their win was made secure at the death, replacement fly half Nicolas Sanchez plucking an intercept score from opposite number Sam Costelow to take Argentina out of sight. Ireland or New Zealand await in the World Cup semi-finals – the challenge is mighty but Los Pumas live to fight another day; Wales are going home.
Earlier in the day, the travelling Welsh fans had brought Marseille’s Vieux Port to a standstill with a most harmonious warbling of “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau”; but there was little mellifluous about a discordant contest that most would have expected from two sides with such obvious flaws. When eyes were not turned to the sky, they were often focused on the floor as the two sides took chunks out of one another in a brutal battle on the gain line.
Argentina scrap their way to semi-finals as Wales come up short
Rugby World Cup news
11:34 , Mike Jones
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the Rugby World Cup.
We’ll bring you all the latest news and updates from France as the final four teams continue their preparations for this weekend’s semi-finals.
Argentina and New Zealand face off on Friday night and are scheduled to announce their starting XVs between 4pm-5pm this afternoon.
England meanwhile have a tricky task against the current World Champions South Africa but a confident performance against Fiji last time out will buoy up Steve Borthwick’s side ahead of their semi-final encounter on Saturday.
