New Zealand “massively respectful of Argentina” ahead of World Cup semi-final
The Rugby World Cup reaches the semi-final stage with Argentina and New Zealand going head-to-head in the first one this evening. Argentina defeated Wales 29-17 to reach the final four and have grown into the tournament following an opening fixture defeat to England.
As such Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has made just one change to his team from that quarter-final win with scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou replacing Tomás Cubelli in the starting XV. The Pumas will be hoping to cause an upset against the All Blacks and reach the final for the first time ever.
New Zealand, meanwhile, went through a slugfest against Ireland to triumph 28-24 in their last game. They held out for 37 phases in the final acts of the match to keep the Irish at bay and now face one more encounter before securing a sixth appearance in the Rugby World Cup final.
Follow along for all the updates from Paris plus get the latest odds and tips for this match right here:
Argentina vs New Zealand live
- Argentina face New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals, live on ITV 1
- What’s the biggest-ever Rugby World Cup semi-final win?
- TRY! Argentina 6-39 New Zealand (Will Jordan, 62 minutes)
- TRY! Argentina 6-34 New Zealand (Shannon Frizell, 49 minutes)
- TRY! Argentina 6-27 New Zealand (Aaron Smith, 42 minutes)
- TRY! Argentina 6-20 New Zealand (Shannon Frizell, 40+2 minutes)
- PENALTY! Argentina 6-15 New Zealand (Richie Mo’unga, 38 minutes)
- PENALTY! Argentina 6-12 New Zealand (Emiliano Boffelli, 34 minutes)
- TRY! Argentina 3-12 New Zealand (Jordie Barrett, 17 minutes)
- TRY! Argentina 3-7 New Zealand (Will Jordan, 11 minutes)
- PENALTY! Argentina 3-0 New Zealand (Emiliano Boffelli, 5 minutes)
Show latest update
What’s the biggest-ever Rugby World Cup semi-final win?
The biggest-ever Rugby World Cup semi-final win came at the first ever edition of the tournament in 1987, when New Zealand hammered Wales 49-6.
The All Blacks are threatening their own record tonight…
Jamie Braidwood20 October 2023 21:33
TRY! Argentina 6-39 New Zealand (Will Jordan, 62 minutes)
62 mins: It’s not an Argentina rally that’s got the crowd going again but a sixth try for New Zealand!
After becoming too narrow with their drives towards goal, the All Blacks reset and work the ball out to the left wing. Mark Tele’a darts inside and is brought down a metre from the line but from the ruck its sent across to Will Jordan who grounds it unopposed.
Mike Jones20 October 2023 21:31
Argentina 6-34 New Zealand
61 mins: Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade France – “We’ve already had a couple of Mexican waves, plus a rather pleasant rendition of the French national anthem, as the spectators attempt to occupy themselves, interest rather lost in the on-field action given New Zealand’s supremacy.
“Can Argentina rally and spark the crowd back into life?”
Mike Jones20 October 2023 21:28
Argentina 6-34 New Zealand
58 mins: Relentless defensive work from New Zealand force another error out of Argentina as Scott Barrett’s late lunge causes a knock on.
New Zealand win a scrum in the middle of the pitch.
Mike Jones20 October 2023 21:26
Argentina 6-34 New Zealand
55 mins: New Zealand are almost in again! A cross-field kick from Jordie Barrett takes an awkward bounce as Will Jordan streams into space down the right wing.
He tries to collect the ball and bomb it towards the try zone but he can’t collect it in time and Argentina are given a reprieve.
Mike Jones20 October 2023 21:22
Argentina 6-34 New Zealand
51 mins: There’s a touch under 30 minutes to play in Paris but it’s not too outrageous to say that the match is over already. Hardly anything is going Argentina’s way.
They create space on the right side of the pitch and sweep the ball out wide only for Mateo Carreras to drop the ball in a knock on and put an end to this promising attack.
Mike Jones20 October 2023 21:16
TRY! Argentina 6-34 New Zealand (Shannon Frizell, 49 minutes)
49 mins: Three big carries from the New Zealand forwards soften up the Argentina line setting up the All Blacks to repeatedly drive at the line.
The Pumas hold out for a while but Shannon Frizell manages to ground the ball and send the New Zealand fans cheering once again.
Mike Jones20 October 2023 21:14
Argentina 6-27 New Zealand
47 mins: New Zealand’s lead is now three fully converted tries and Argentina’s uphill battle is looking like a mountain. The All Blacks are in full control with incredible footwork and ball handling skills too much for the Pumas to handle.
Mike Jones20 October 2023 21:11
Argentina 6-27 New Zealand
45 mins: Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de France – “Just the start to the half Argentina wouldn’t have wanted…
“That was much too easy for Aaron Smith, ducking and weaving like a featherweight boxer between pretty laboured tackle efforts from the Pumas defenders.
“Smith has had a remarkable tournament, now 34 but still as sharp as ever and seemingly becoming a better and better sniper with age.”
Mike Jones20 October 2023 21:08
TRY! Argentina 6-27 New Zealand (Aaron Smith, 42 minutes)
42 mins: Disaster for Argentina. The ball comes loose from the scrum and is given to Aaron Smith. Fancy footwork shifts him inside of his marker before a dummy pass out wide allows him to slide over the line for another try.
Richie Mo’unga boots over the conversion.
(Getty Images)
Mike Jones20 October 2023 21:07