England’s Theo Dan celebrates scoring their second try with teammates in the thrid-place play-off against Argentina. Photo: PhotoSport/©INPHO/Billy Stickland
England held off a spirited Argentina 26-23 at the Stade de France to take third place at the Rugby World Cup for a measure of consolation after the disappointment of their narrow semi-final defeat last week.
The boot of Owen Farrell proved the difference as both sides scored two tries apiece but the England captain was unerringly accurate as he put over four penalties and two conversions, for a tally of 16 points, to ensure his team edged the match.
England looked to put behind them the disappointment of their 16-15 loss to South Africa in last Saturday's semi in Paris as they raced into a 13-point lead and were 16-10 ahead at halftime, but they allowed Argentina to close the gap to three points in an error-strewn second half.
It was the first time England had taken the bronze medal at the World Cup after winning the 2003 tournament and finishing runners-up on three other occasions.
England’s Ben Youngs during the playoff for third place at the Rugby World Cup. Photo: PhotoSport/INPHO/Dan Sheridan
English captain Owen Farrell opened the scoring with a penalty in the first few minutes of the game, before England's Ben Earl crashed over for a try in the seventh minute.
Farrell picked up the conversion, and then slotted another penalty several minutes later for an early 13-0 lead.
Argentina hit back with a penalty goal by Emiliano Boffelli, getting their first points on the board in the 23rd minute.
And while another penalty kick from Farrell pushed the score out to 16-3 after half an hour, Argentina's Tomas Cubelli scored a try late in the second half to cut the lead to six points at half time.
Argentina’s Tomas Cubelli scores their first try in their third-place play-off match against England at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Photo: AFP/INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Both teams came out firing in the second half, and Santiago Carreras' early try for Argentina gave them a one-point lead, before England immediately hit back with a try to Theo Dan to regain the lead.
Emiliano Boffelli nailed another penalty goal to reduce the lead to three points, with England leading 23-20 at the 50-minute mark.
Another penalty in the 64th minute gave England back its six-point buffer, before Argentina replied with a penalty of their own to again reduce the lead to three, but the English were able to hold on to claim the victory.
The two teams already played in the pool stage, when England won 27-10.
- Reuters / RNZ
England's number eight Ben Earl scores a try a he is tackled by Argentina's Emiliano Boffelli during the 2023 Rugby World Cup third-place match at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Photo: AFP / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
Odds favour All Blacks in final
New Zealand will play South Africa in tomorrow morning's final, with kick-off at 8am NZT.
The TAB says the All Blacks are the favourites as both teams seek to be crowned world champions for the fourth time.
TAB spokesperson Thad Taylor said faith in the team is shown by the 60-40 odds in the All Blacks' favour.
He says New Zealanders are a loyal bunch, and after the matches against Ireland and Argentina, punters have a strong belief the national team will beat the Springboks.
British bookmaker William Hill is also reporting similar odds for an All Blacks victory.
Taylor said the TAB was expecting tens of thousands of customers to be betting on the final, and it will be paying out about $2 million if the All Blacks win.