RWC 2023 quarters: Thrilling weekend proved ultimate advert for rugby

We knew the quarter finals would be close but nobody could have predicted the unbelievable intensity of a weekend producing four classic matches that all could have gone either way.

And they kept raising the bar, with Sunday night's game between hosts France and World Champions South Africa a thriller that achieved epic Rugby World Cup clash status.

Sadly, two of the tournament's best supported teams have exited, but rugby fans were treated to a masterpiece of a weekend, in what was an amazing advert for the sport. Here’s how it all unfolded.

ARGENTINA vs WALES 29 - 17

A dramatic late Nicolas Sanchez try and penalty sealed a famous win for Argentina at Stade de Marseille on Saturday, as they progressed to the semi finals and sent Wales home early.

Dan Biggar scored a well worked try to help Wales to a 10-6 lead going into half-time, but a fourth penalty from the outstanding Emiliano Boffelli gave Argentina the lead in the 48th minute.

Gareth Davies left to be replaced by Tomos Williams, and it didn’t take long for the speedy scrum-half to dart over to give the lead back to Wales, before replacement front rower Joel Sclavi dived over and Argentina led 19-17.

With 6 minutes left in the match we saw what was arguably one of the best try-saving tackles ever made at a Rugby World Cup, as Welsh superstar in the making Louis Rees-Zammit was set up to dive in the at the corner, but Matias Moroni pulled off a miracle effort, and legally, to bump him out inches away from scoring.

As Wales tried to string another attack together, veteran Sanchez sealed the win with a well taken intercept and impressive sprint away downfield for a try. A late penalty then cemented their place in the semi final, after a frantic last ten minutes of the match.

"I am very proud of the team," captain Julián Montoya said. "We like to be a team that fights for everything. [It was] far from perfect but we are going to Paris.

"Life is not perfect. It's how you embrace the moment. That's what rugby is about. Two more weeks with this team. I don't want this to end ever. We need to be better, to be clinical in a lot of things."

NEW ZEALAND vs IRELAND 28-24

Another epic contest played out at the Stade de France as New Zealand hung on to an incredible onslaught by Ireland late in the game, ultimately upsetting the number one team in the world and announcing themselves as being well and truly at this world cup.

After going up 6-0, the All Blacks then scored an excellent try through Leicester Fainga’anuku to take a 13-0 lead before form centre Bundee Aki crossed the whitewash against his former countrymen.

Ardie Savea, eventual Player of the Match, then dived over in the corner to keep the scoreboard ticking along before another former Kiwi, Jamison Gibson-Park, then also scored for Ireland, setting up a grandstand second half.

A brilliant Richie Mo’unga break set up flyer Will Jordan for his fifth try of the tournament, before a penalty try for Ireland preceded New Zealand suffering their second yellow card (after Aaron Smith earlier) as Codie Taylor was adjudged to have collapsed a maul.

The giant boot of Jordie Barrett, who had also brilliantly held up a try, then extended the lead with ten minutes left before the All Blacks were made to hold on in defence for an unbelievable 37 phases of Ireland pressure with time up.

It was an eighth quarter-final defeat for Ireland, who were brilliant in this year’s tournament and deserved more than to go out so early on. The draw hurt them ultimately. That, and a fired up New Zealand team who had enough experience and fight left in them to produce an amazing contest of the highest order.

It sets up a semi final meeting with Argentina at the Stade de France on Friday, 20 October.

"It was a crazy test match, an absolute arm wrestle for 83 or 84 minutes, both teams going at it," said captain Sam Cane.

"A lot of credit has to go to Ireland. They have set the standard around world rugby for the last couple of years so we knew the challenge that we had here tonight.”

ENGLAND vs FIJI 30-24

Despite being upset by Portugal a week prior, Fiji came into the contest with a lot of hope and plenty to play for, after an impressive victory over the Wallabies and a match against Wales that they probably should have won.

England themselves had a lot to prove, and they started this one well as they shot out to a 21-10 lead thanks to tries by Manu Tuilagi, Joe Marchant and the boot of Owen Farrell.

Fiji had their moments but it was looking like a comfortable path through to the semi finals for the 2019 finalists, before the pacific island nation stepped things up to stage a thrilling comeback from 24-10 down to take things level at 24-24 with ten minutes left in the game.

But Farrell took control as he slotted a close-range drop goal and then a late penalty, ending on a 20-point tally for himself and a 30-24 quarter-final win.

"It’s very emotional for everyone,” said a dejected Semi Radradra.

“Josh’s (Tuisova) son was lost then Sam Matavesi’s dad passed away.

"It’s really tough on us, but the good thing is we stick together as a brotherhood. Sam is part of our team, part of the family. We are there with him.

"It was his call to play today. It was really big from him to make that call. It was unlucky we didn’t get the win tonight."

England captain Farrell was very pleased with the win.

"I thought the team has done an excellent job of that over the group stages and now in a big knockout game. I think the effort, as Steve (Borthwick) said, of the full squad that has gone into this week has made it an enjoyable week and a week we have all got after together. That will continue now into next week."

SOUTH AFRICA vs FRANCE 29-28

As if the first three matches didn’t provide enough drama and entertainment, the France vs South Africa quarter-final in Paris will go down as an all time classic, and the night Antoine Dupont’s men, and country, had their heart’s broken by the world champions.

France started with a wave of passion, giving the impression of the entire Stade de France being out there on the pitch, as they scored in the corner after just a few minutes.

The Springboks stuck to their game plan though and bounced back, which set the tone for a mind-blowing first half that saw six tries in the first 30 minutes.

Cheslin Kolbe’s conversion charge-down was one of the moments of an already fascinating match, and when Eben Etzebeth, earlier yellow carded, carried Matthieu Jalibert over the try-line for an almighty score, it felt like we were witnessing a heavyweight boxing match as each team refused to back down.

Handre Pollard, strategically subbed on for Manie Libbok, kicked a long-range penalty to give South Africa a 29-28 lead, and then it was a case of hanging on and holding off brilliant Dupont’s men, who looked dangerous throughout.

The hosts are out and South Africa will next face England, who they played twice in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, also held in France.

"I just thought we really wanted it," said Springboks captain Siya Kolisi. "We knew how tough it was going to be. I must give credit to the guys that came off the bench, they came and made a huge difference.

"And most importantly, the people back at home. Honestly, the support that we've received. You know, they can't afford to be here but the videos, the schools singing for us and the videos.

"We play for the nation, it's not about us on this field any more, it's about the people back home and that's what's driving us."

SEMI FINALS:

New Zealand and Argentina will meet at the Stade de France on Friday night, followed by England and South Africa at the same venue on Saturday night.