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Today\u2019s Rugby World Cup match between Japan and Argentina is a winner-takes-all encounter for the final qualification place available from Pool D following England\u2019s already confirmed spot in the last eight. <\/p>\n
Both teams currently have nine points so whoever wins will join Steve Borthwick\u2019s side in the knockout rounds and this is a difficult match-up to call. <\/p>\n
Japan and Argentina both earned their sole bonus points against Chile with wins also picked up versus Samoa. The Japanese hope to reach their second RWC quarter-final after making it to the same point at their home World Cup in 2019 while Argentina would make a fifth appearance at the knockout stages if they progress from the pool this year.<\/p>\n
Argentina have won five out of the last six times they have played Japan, including the last three in a row but the match will be the first time the two have met since 2016.<\/p>\n
Follow all the action as Japan take on Argentina plus get all the latest Rugby World Cup odds and tips right here: <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Japan, meanwhile, are focussed on the final quarter, with Jamie Joseph\u2019s side believing they have solved the issues apparent late on against England and targeting what they are calling \u201cSamurai time\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the past, we had the tendency to be scored against in the last 20 minutes,\u201d Michael Leitch explained yesterday. \u201cSince the England game, we talked about how to fix it, and we started using the word \u2018Samurai Time\u2019. It\u2019s about controlling the game\u2019s momentum. <\/p>\n \u201cWe obviously wanted to attack, but then we lost our energy, and when the impact members (substitutes) came in excited to get out there, they couldn\u2019t leave a big impact on the game as much as they wanted to. So, we talked about it with the coaches, about our mentality and what\u2019s needed in the last 20 minutes.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cThis is why you play rugby; if you want it easy and for the script to be written, don\u2019t worry about coming,\u201d Cheika said on Friday after naming his team for a crunch contest. <\/p>\n \u201cIn international rugby, you don\u2019t always have games where everything is at stake. We have been doing it since the game against England.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was talk about players who will have their first experience in matches of such importance. This is where you learn, you gain experience. They already got experience with the first important match with England where they did not deliver; I feel very good handling that knock-out mentality that we have had since then.<\/p>\n \u201cCoaches have to change the negative and turn it into a positive. I feel like we are very happy with that. You have to have a certain level of pressure. They are feeling that pressure for the first time and they are growing. It will be the third elimination match and we hope to have three more from now on.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael Cheika makes eleven changes to the Argentina side from their 59-5 win against Chile. Santiago Carreras replaces Nicolas Sanchez at fly-half, while prop Francisco G\u00f3mez Kodela returns to the starting team for the first time since their opening loss to England. Marcos Kremer and Juan Martin Gonzalez remain in the starting team and are the only two players in the squad to have started every RWC2023 match.<\/p>\n Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini start alongside each other for the first time since September 2022, which marks their 32nd time doing so.<\/p>\n Argentina XV: <\/strong>Juan Cruz Mallia; Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras; Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou; Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya (capt.), Francisco G\u00f3mez Kodela; Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini; Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez.<\/p>\n Replacements: <\/em><\/strong>Agust\u00edn Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Pedro Rubiolo, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Nicolas Sanchez, Mat\u00edas Moroni.<\/p>\n Jamie Joseph makes one change to the Japan side that won against Samoa last weekend as Siosaia Fifita replaces Jone Naikabula on the left wing.<\/p>\n Eight players have started all of their RWC matches so far (Amato Fakatava, Keita Inagaki, Jiwon Gu, Jack Cornelsen, Michael Leitch, Rikiya Matsuda, Kotato Matsushima, and Ryoto Nakamura). Last week\u2019s player of the match Lomano Lemeki returns at fullback. Kazuki Himeno is named as captain and hasn\u2019t missed a tackle so far this RWC after 31 successful tackle attempts.<\/p>\n Japan XV: <\/strong>Lomano Lemeki; Kotaro Matsushima, Dylan Riley, Ryoto Nakamura, Siosaia Fifita; Rikiya Matsuda, Naoto Saito; Keita Inagaki, Shota Horie, Jiwon Gu; Jack Cornelsen, Amato Fakatava; Michael Leitch, Pieter Labuschagne, Kazuki Himeno (capt.)<\/p>\n Replacements: <\/em><\/strong> Atsushi Sakate, Craig Millar, Asaeli Ai Valu, Warner Dearns, Amanaki Saumaki, Yutaka Nagare, Ryohei Yamanaka, Jone Naikabula.<\/p>\n So we know it will be Wales for either Japan or Argentina next Saturday in Marseille, with Warren Gatland\u2019s side looking slightly more vulnerable after Taulupe Faletau\u2019s injury. Neither of these two Pool D foes have quite found their best rugby in this tournament, but the opportunity is clear – let\u2019s take a closer look at the two selections…<\/p>\n I, meanwhile, was at the Stade de France to watch Ireland produce a performance to strike fear into the other nations at this tournament as Scotland\u2019s dreams to be most decisively dashed.<\/p>\n Ireland 36-14 Scotland: Ireland secure top spot in Pool B with a magnificent display in Paris to knock Scotland out of the World Cup<\/p>\n England also go into the last eight unbeaten, but not before being given a mighty fright by an impressive Samoa. Luke Baker <\/strong>was in Lille:<\/p>\n England 18-17 Samoa: Danny Care\u2019s late try saw England avoid a historic defeat but they face huge questions ahead of the quarter-finals<\/p>\n Just before we focus in fully on Japan-Argentina, let\u2019s check in on all of yesterday\u2019s action – and it was a potentially damaging day for Wales despite sealing top spot in Pool C…<\/p>\n The number eight suffered a broken arm in the win over Georgia in Nantes <\/p>\n Everything you need to know about the winner-takes-all match <\/p>\n Bonjour tout le monde, et bienvenue! We\u2019ve made it to the final day of pool action at this Rugby World Cup, just three more group fixtures left to determine the final sides progressing to next weekend\u2019s quarter-finals. Six of our last eight are now locked in but there are still two more knockout spots up for grabs – we begin today in Nantes, where it\u2019s winner-takes-all for Japan and Argentina with second place in Pool D on the line…<\/p>\nRecommended<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nMichael Leitch on why Samurai time\u201d will be key for Japan<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/10\/08\/11\/newFile.jpg\")
<\/p>\nArgentina coach Michael Cheika believes his side are ready to handle the pressure<\/h3>\n
Team news – Argentina<\/h3>\n
Team news – Japan<\/h3>\n
Japan vs Argentina<\/h3>\n
Ireland march into last eight as Scottish hopes swept away<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/10\/07\/20\/2023-10-07T194117Z_1749429060_UP1EJA71IORO0_RTRMADP_3_RUGBY-UNION-WORLDCUP-IRL-SCO.JPG\")
<\/p>\nIreland march past Scotland and give the World Cup a performance to fear<\/h3>\n
England squeak past Samoa<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/10\/07\/19\/newFile-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEngland\u2019s lucky escape can\u2019t hide identity crisis threatening to derail World Cup<\/h3>\n
About yesterday…<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/10\/07\/16\/newFile-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTaulupe Faletau ruled out of tournament in blow to Wales\u2019 World Cup hopes<\/h3>\n
Japan vs Argentina<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/28\/23\/28-0ac45f315d1a4f5fb47ba9501d85e16d.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIs Japan vs Argentina on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Rugby World Cup<\/h3>\n
Japan vs Argentina<\/h3>\n