A dominant Argentina side overcame a spirited Ireland comeback in the second half to run away with a 43-20 victory in Cardiff. At least three of the four Rugby Championship sides have reached the semi finals with Australia the favourites to defeat Scotland in Twickenham.
The start
Ireland's game plan went out the window after ten minutes after conceding their second try. After 17 minutes they were 17-0 down. Romania's win over Canada earlier in the tournament was the biggest comeback in World Cup history when they came from 15-0 down to win 17-15. Ireland had to write their name into the history books in more ways than one to reach the semi finals.
The breakdown
While the loss of Paul O'Connell and Johnny Sexton received the most column inches before the match started, Peter O'Mahony and Sean O'Brien's presence was missed the most in the first half. Chris Henry and Jordi Murphy recovered excellently in the second half, but Ireland found it very difficult at the breakdown in the opening stages of the game. It may have been one of the differences between winning and losing.
The comeback
After a brilliant start to the second half with Jordi Murphy's try, Ireland looked to be in the ascendancy but could never get level on the scoreboards. Ireland got the scoreline within 23-20 and Ian Madigan missed a chance to level the scores on the hour mark. If he scored that penalty it might have been a different outcome.
AND THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE! MURPHYYYY #IREvARG #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/I4rViJr3Cq
— Newstalk Sport (@NewstalkSport) October 18, 2015
Are Ireland only a pool team?
One of the most depressing facts of the loss is that Ireland have still failed to win a knockout game at the World Cup. Since the debacle in 2007 when Ireland got knocked out in the pool stages the side has won all eight games and topping their pools in 2011 and this year. Why can the side perform in the pool stages and not in the knockouts? It's a head scratcher.
The future?
The loss marks the end of the World Cup journey for many of Ireland's team. In the front row Mike Ross and Rory Best will have retired by the time Japan 2019 rolls around. In the backs Johnny Sexton and Tommy Bowe will be coming towards the end of their careers. With two Six Nations titles won in the previous two years the pressure for a title is not what it has been in recent years. Is next years Six Nations the time to start building for 2019?
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