Rugby World Cup 2015 results, match highlights: Argentina, Ireland set for QF showdown as Italy qualifies for Japan RWC 2019

Japan vs USA

Japan wrapped up their 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign in a winning fashion, defeating USA 28-18 at Kingsholm Stadium. The Brave Blossoms failed to progress into the quarterfinal round of the quadrennial rugby tournament despite finishing with three wins in Pool B.

USA started the match with an early penalty from AJ MacGinty, putting them ahead in the fourth minute mark. However, Japan hit back immediately courtesy of Kotaro Matsushima, who crossed for the Brave Blossoms’ opening try. The Japanese closed the first period 17-8 with a successful penalty from Ayumu Goromaru.

The Eagles played with pride, coming into the last game of their RWC fixture with three losses. However, Japan was also playing with their own pride as the Brave Blossoms became the first team in Rugby World Cup history to not qualify for the final eight round despite earning such a record in the pool stage.

Coach Eddie Jones said he wanted his side to be remembered as the team of the tournament, but was clearly disappointed about not advancing into the next round. "It's disappointing but we had a great World Cup. We played as well as we can today," Jones said, reports Stuff .

Ireland vs France

Ireland survived the loss of captain Paul O’Connell and flyhalf Johnny Sexton to brush off France in a 24-9 win in Pool D of the RWC 2015 at Millennium Stadium. The victory gave Ireland a date with Argentina in the quarterfinal round of the tournament, which starts on Oct. 17.

Tries from fullback Rob Kearney and halfback Conor Murray in the second period helped Ireland in sending France to a quarterfinal showdown with the defending champions New Zealand next week. The Six Nations champions would likely face the Pumas without O’Connell and Sexton, who both left the field through injury before the interval of the match. Flanker Peter O’Mahony was also injured after the break.

Sexton was pulled out in the 25th minute mark after France’s No. 8 Louis Picamoles smashed his ribs, while O’Connell was carried from the pitch on a stretcher after a ruck caused him to fail to get back on his feet in the closing minutes of the first half. O’Mahony was the second Irishman to be taken from the field on a stretcher after catching his studs in the turf.

Italy vs Romania

Italy survived a late Romania rally at Sandy Park for a 32-22 win, finishing third place in Pool D of the 2015 Rugby World Cup and grabbing an automatic qualification to the 2019 Japan RWC.

Italy endured a frustrating first half, with Luke McLean failing to clear a penalty to touch, while Tommaso Allan was knocked on from a simple pass and scrumhalf Edoardo Gori failed to ground the ball for a try after breaking the Romanian defence. However, Gori and Allan were able to bounce back as both scored in the 24th and 39th minute marks, respectively.

Italy headed into the second half with a comfortable lead, with Alessandro Zanni’s try and Allan’s conversion creating a 29-3 lead to leave Romania further out of reach. However, the Oaks tried to get back in the game when Adrian Apostol scored a try in the 66th minute mark followed by Valentin Poparlan’s try. The come-from-behind win attempt from Romania failed as time expired with Italy escaping with the victory.

Argentina vs Namibia

Argentina convincingly advanced into the quarterfinal round of the 2015 Rugby World Cup after defeating rugby minnow Namibia 64-19 at Leicester City Stadium. The Pumas will setup a clash with Ireland in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Coach Daniel Hourcade named his side’s youngest starting XV in the RWC fixture against Namibia. The rotation produced some of their most expansive rugby, running the ball and flipping passes wide at every chances as the Pumas defeated Namibia to the tune of nine tries.

The match resulted to the highest scoring game of the RWC so far, but Hourcade insisted his side will be ready to tighten up their game when they face Ireland in the last eight round. “Our tools or weapons can go both ways and these are the keys to decision making, choosing the right keys for the right time in a game," Hourcade said, reports World Rugby. “We are able to play an open game or a closed game, but it will always be a dynamic one.”

Courtesy: YouTube/World Rugby