Pablo Matera of Argentina on the run at RWC 2023. Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP
RUGBY WORLD CUP | Live scoring: Japan v Argentina
The Rugby World Cup pool stage is almost over. Follow the live scoring as Japan take on Argentina on Sunday afternoon.
Pablo Matera of Argentina on the run at RWC 2023. Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP
The equation is simple for both sides at Nantes on Saturday. Victory equals Rugby World Cup quarter-final qualification and a match next Saturday against the winner of Pool C in Marseille.
The consequences of a defeat for both sides, however, is more complex, with automatic qualification for Rugby World Cup 2027 also a target.
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Not that Japan or Argentina are focused on anything other than victory here.
Japan head into the match in Nantes on the back of an impressive 28-22 defeat of Samoa that maintained their hopes of advancing from the pool stage for the second successive tournament.
Head coach Jamie Joseph has stuck with continuity throughout the tournament, and this match is no exception. He has made one change to his starting XV from their 28-22 victory against Samoa with Siosaia Fifita replacing Jone Naikabula on the left wing. Eight of the XV have started every game at RWC 2023: Amato Fakatava, Keita Inagaki, Jiwon Gu, Jack Cornelsen, Michael Leitch, Rikiya Matsuda, Kotato Matsushima, and Ryoto Nakamura.
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In their way, an Argentina side with high hopes of avoiding a repeat of the pool-stage exit they suffered in Japan four years ago, thanks to wins against Samoa and Chile.
Head coach Michael Cheika has made 11 changes to his starting XV from the team who defeated Chile 59-5 last week, with only Guido Petti, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez and Lucio Cinti retaining their places.
He has, however, stuck with his experience policy. The top three, and five of Los Pumas’ top six most capped players of all-time are named in this match-day squad – Agustín Creevy (104), Nicolas Sanchez (100), Pablo Matera (97), Julian Montoya (91) and Matias Alemanno (90).
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A place in the last eight is the target for both sides. But, there can be only one.
FIXTURE: Japan v Argentina
GROUND: Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes (35,520)
KICK-OFF: 13:00 local time (GMT+2)
FOLLOW THE RUGBY WORLD CUP LIVE SCORING BELOW
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