Editor's pick

Argentina: Rugby World Cup 2023 review

Argentina achieved their goal of playing seven games in Rugby World Cup 2023 but making a first final was a dream too far for a team who were brilliant in bursts but struggled for consistency.

Abiding memory

The much-loved Nicolás Sánchez reading a Wales attack and intercepting the ball near the half-way line to run in the try that took Argentina into an unassailable 26-17 lead in the quarter-final in Marseille. The first to arrive and throw himself at the replacement fly-half was his brother-in-law Mateo Carreras, kick-starting the celebrations.

Try of the tournament

Just after half-time in the bronze final, fly-half Santiago Carreras showed all the pace and power of somebody who has played plenty of rugby on the wing, bursting through two England defenders and racing past another to put Argentina into the lead for the only time during the match. Unfortunately, they followed it up with a mistake – the story of their tournament.

Quote that said it all

"The positive thing was the support of the people,” a clearly emotional captain Julián Montoya said after the bronze final. “In the seven games we felt like playing home games. The fans who couldn't come also made themselves felt. Wherever we play, there are always Argentines.”

These thoughts were echoed by Wales wing Josh Adams, who graciously said in defeat after the quarter-final: “You don’t often see supporters like that at a rugby match. They were like football supporters, which I think is absolutely brilliant.” Classy.

Man of the moment

Back-row Juan Martín González, 22, announced himself on the world stage when he soared to take a lineout in the first game against England. Already world class, he played all but 34 minutes of Argentina’s seven games. A possible future captain.

One for the future

At just 1.73 metres high and weighing only 84 kilograms, Mateo Carreras is proof that size isn’t everything. With raw speed and deceptive strength, the wing caused problem for all his opponents and, at 23, will only get better.

From the touchline

Into touch, more like. Matías Moroni's 74th-minute tackle on Louis Rees-Zammit when it seemed he was going to seal victory for Wales in the quarter-finals is already part of Argentinian rugby folklore. The winger was airborne and poised to touch down but the veteran centre bundled him into touch and Argentina went on to win.

Key statistic

The 92 tackles of back-row Marcos Kremer (pictured left) – the most of anybody in the tournament – speak of a player who always gives his all. In seven games, only missed the last half an hour against Chile. The team-mate everybody wants on their side and nobody wants to face.

Editor's verdict

Argentina, after a poor start against England in Pool D, gradually found themselves, only to have their dreams of reaching a final shattered by a ruthless New Zealand. Ultimately too inconsistent but emerged with credit after missing out on third place to England by just three points.