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Date: 2023-12-08 05:10:33 | Author: PFF | Views: 145 | Tag: games
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Michael Cheika refused to assess the entirety of Argentina’s Rugby World Cup campaign or his tenure as head coach of the Pumas games
Coming off a harrowing 44-6 semi-final defeat to New Zealand in which they’d been totally outclassed in every facet of the game, perhaps his reticence was understandable games
Next Friday’s third-place play-off against the loser of the second semi-final games between England and South Africa merely provided a handy excuse games
It’s a game that players don’t want to play, spectators don’t want to watch and media don’t want to cover but it did give Cheika a week’s buffer to collect himself before he will have to answer the tough questions games
“I can’t do that straight away,” said Cheika when asked to assess his time in charge of Argentina, which comes to an end after this World Cup games
“I haven’t finished yet games
“I know we won’t win World Cup but I’m happy to be at this level and they deserve to be here games
Their play, ambition, ability to raise themselves after the first game [a pool-stage loss to England] games
It’s another obstacle but we can be proud of our team and our capacity to deal with obstacles games
Next week we have a game to play, at the end of the World Cup we will summarise and assess it games
”The players were similarly on message with their adamance at the importance of the worst game in rugby games
“There is one more game left, one more final,” said flanker Marcos Kremer games
“We want to leave this World Cup winning and we are going to do everything to make it happen games
”“We are going to prepare like a final games
We are not satisfied with being here games
We want a medal and we are going to fight for that," added wing Mateo Carreras games
The value of a third-place play-off in an event defined by a trophy, rather than a medal podium, and its place in an already over-saturated playing calendar is a debate for another time but the Pumas can only keep the wolf at the door for so long games
They will soon have to address exactly what happened in the second-most one-sided World Cup semi-final of all time – the eventual margin of defeat just narrower than the All Blacks’ 49-6 triumph over Wales in 1987 games
The All Blacks ran riot in the Stade de France (Getty Images)Three times in their rugby history, Argentina have reached the semi-final stage of the World Cup, with three losses to show for it games
They have scored just one try across those 240 minutes and have a combined losing margin of 76 points games
The celebrations and lap of honour after beating Wales in the quarter-finals in Marseille a week ago suggested that, deep down, the Pumas believed they had come as far as they could in this tournament games
Both history, and the performance that followed against New Zealand, made it a self-fulfilling prophecy games
They hardly imposed themselves on the All Blacks at the Stade de France games
Phases of attack came to a grinding halt once they reached the All Black 22, with the ball inevitably jackalled away, the defensive line was torn to shreds by their opponents’ quick hands and clever lines, the scrum was splintered by a dominant New Zealand pack and basic handling errors defined the game games
Frankly, it wasn’t a match befitting a World Cup semi-final and ensured the Pumas book-ended their tournament (barring next Friday’s bronze-medal irrelevance) with abject displays, after the lifeless opening loss to 14-man England games
It is hardly a squad bereft of talent games
The experience of Julian Montoya and Agustin Creevy leading the front row is complemented by an exciting, dynamic back-row trio of Juan Martin Gonzalez, Kremer and Facundo Isa that should be able to match almost any opposition games
While questions remain at nine and 10, a back three of Mateo Carreras, Emiliano Boffelli and Juan Cruz Mallia is explosive enough to give any team fits games
Argentina were dejected after slipping to a semi-final defeat (Getty Images)Perhaps a semi-final appearance shouldn’t be sneered at games
Yes, they benefitted from being in the considerably weaker half of the draw but it equalled their best World Cup performance and you can only beat who’s in front of you games
On paper, Cheika’s tenure – since taking the reins from the sacked Mario Ledesma in early 2022 – will be viewed as a success games
A first-ever win over the All Blacks in New Zealand last summer and a World Cup semi-final is not a bad return games
But in terms of the ‘eye test’, the Pumas never looked like an elite side and there’s a nagging feeling that they haven’t moved forward under the Australian games
Cheika’s preferred coaching style of creating a ‘siege mentality, us against the world’ environment always seemed at odds with the largely personable Argentina squad games
Media availability was limited – perhaps a poor fit for the historically open Pumas – and a bubble created around the team games
Putting your stamp on things in just an 18-month period is tough, with Felipe Contepomi always slated to become head coach after the World Cup and learning the ropes as part of Cheika’s coaching team in the interim games
The legendary Pumas fly half, who is also a cult hero at Leinster following playing and coaching spells there, will likely provide a different strategy in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup and it will be fascinating to see what he’s taken from his time working under Cheika games
As for the Australian, he departs with his reputation certainly not damaged and maybe even enhanced games
The 56-year-old will undoubtedly be in demand around the rugby world and should be able to have his pick from a number of exciting coaching opportunities games
“It is not a sad moment,” insisted Cheika in the aftermath of defeat in Paris games
“It’s a moment I’m proud of my team games
We were in the semi-final of a World Cup games
”Yes, they were games
But the suspicion that there was a version of this Pumas side that still had more to give remains games
More aboutMichael CheikaArgentina rugbyRugby World CupJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3Argentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerArgentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerThe All Blacks ran riot in the Stade de France Getty ImagesArgentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerArgentina were dejected after slipping to a semi-final defeat Getty ImagesArgentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerMichael Cheika led Argentina to a World Cup semi-final but they were trounced by New Zealand Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today games
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In the wake of England’s late defeat to South Africa on Saturday, Courtney Lawes made his way around the Stade de France thanking the crowd, taking in their applause and appreciation as he walked and talked with his four kids games
If Lawes looked like a man saying his goodbye to the Rugby World Cup, it’s because he was games
“I think it’s time,” he later confirmed, bringing down the curtain on a superb international career games
But while the 34-year-old may have been the first to confirm the news, he won’t be last games
The average age of England’s starting XV in their semi-final clash against the Springboks was 29 and as a new cycle begins in the coming months, Steve Borthwick will need to evolve his squad to begin the build towards Australia in 2027 games
Let’s take a look at what that means for some of the players in Borthwick’s England squad:RecommendedWhy England will come back ‘stronger’ from Rugby World Cup heartacheCourtney Lawes to retire from England duty after World Cup: ‘It’s time’World Rugby investigating alleged racist abuse directed at England’s Tom CurryFrance was their ‘Last Dance’Joe Marler, 33 - Used mainly off the bench this tournament but started in the semi-final and scrummaged excellently against the Springboks games
Will no doubt be a big voice to replace in the dressing room when he eventually departs games
Dan Cole, 36 - Brought back into the fold for this tournament after an excellent season at Leicester with Borthwick games
Rolled back the years in France but hard to imagine a similar recall for Australia in 2027 games
Danny Care, 36 - Impacted games often off the bench and finally got the World Cup experience that had so often evaded him games
Superb late score and try-saving tackle against Samoa to save England’s blushes in the pool stage games
Care scored his first World Cup try against Samoa (Getty Images)Ben Youngs, 34 - England’s most-capped player but made just two subs appearances in the tournament games
A decorated player but Alex Mitchell’s composed displays at scrum-half have pushed him above the the Leicester veteran in the pecking order games
Jonny May, 33 - Blistering pace in his prime and a solid tournament coming in late to replace Anthony Watson but the upcoming Ollie Hassell-Collins and Henry Arundell will be just two after his place in the coming years games
May came in as a late replacement but performed well (REUTERS)Mainstays ahead of 2027 Owen Farrell, 31 - Silenced many doubters with two talismanic performances against Fiji and South Africa games
Supreme physical condition and will be eyeing up a Johnny Sexton-esque swansong at the next World Cup games
Maro Itoje, 28 - Still only 28 and will become one of the most experienced players in the squad alongside Farrell and George Ford in the coming years games
Exciting partnerships are to be built with both Ollie Chessum and George Martin in the engine room and a potential captaincy should Farrell’s not make it to 2027 games
Itoje will be eyeing up his third World Cup in 2027 (PA Wire)Tom Curry, 25 - Closing in on a half-century of caps aged just 25 games
Bounced back superbly from his third-minute red card against Argentina and will be a key cog in Bortwhick’s first full cycle games
Ben Earl, 25 - A coming-of-age tournament for the breakout Saracens back-rower games
All-action displays from the back of the scrum mean he will no doubt be one of the first names on the teamsheet moving forward games
Earl was England’s beakthrough star (Getty Images)Freddie Steward, 22 - Dropped for the quarter-final against Fiji but delivered a commanding display under the high ball against South Africa in the semi-final games
Defensively superb and still only 22, the Leicester full-back should go from strength to strength over the next four years games
Rising stars Theo Dan, 22 - Limited for game time this tournament due to Jamie George’s supreme conditioning games
Still work to be done on his set-piece game but will be hoping to usurp his Saracens team-mate in the coming years games
Bevan Rodd, 23 - Another young front-rower who saw little game time in England’s key games games
Took his try well against Chile but has big boots to fill with the likely departures of Cole and Marler games
Rodd scored against Chile (Getty Images)George Martin, 22 - Made his maiden World Cup start against South Africa with a powerful display in the second row games
Looks like a ready-made replacement for the already departing Lawes games
Ollie Lawrence, 23 - A solid, if slightly unremarkable, tournament for the Bath centre games
Is still surely seen as the long-term successor to Manu Tuilagi in the midfield and will only get games better in the coming years games
Henry Arundell, 20 - A World Cup debut to remember for the pacey winger with five tries against Chile in the pool stage games
Perhaps still work to be done on other facets of his game to fully cope with the demands of Test rugby but an exciting talent to nurture in time for 2027 games
Arundell scored five tries against Chile in the pool stage (PA)More aboutEngland RugbyCourtney LawesOwen FarrellRugby World CupJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/7End of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit End of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit Care scored his first World Cup try against Samoa Getty ImagesEnd of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit May came in as a late replacement but performed well REUTERSEnd of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit Itoje will be eyeing up his third World Cup in 2027 PA WireEnd of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit Earl was England’s beakthrough star Getty ImagesEnd of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit Rodd scored against Chile Getty ImagesEnd of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit Arundell scored five tries against Chile in the pool stage PAEnd of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit England’s Courtney Lawes is preparing to wave goodbye to Test rugbyPA Wire✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today games
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsgames BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy games
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply games
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