Argentina

Ireland rack up record victory over Argentina

Back-row Josh van der Flier scored twice as the Irish wrapped up a fruitful end-of-year campaign in style at the Aviva Stadium.

Fellow forwards Andrew Porter, Caelan Doris, Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy and Tadhg Beirne also claimed tries to help Andy Farrell’s men stretch their unbeaten run to eight games.

Meanwhile, the exceptional Joey Carbery – filling in for injured skipper Johnny Sexton – backed up his match-winning cameo in last weekend’s stunning success over New Zealand by kicking 18 points.

All Blacks seek perfection as Argentina limp to finish

The undefeated All Blacks have already snatched the Springboks' world number one ranking and sealed the title last week with victory over the world champions in Townsville in the 100th test between the sides.

But coach Ian Foster wants no slip-ups on the Gold Coast before they head to the northern hemisphere for the first time in two seasons.

"We were delighted with the result last week, but weren't as delighted with the performance," Foster said.

"We want to take the things we learned and apply them."

Argentina receive apology after missing Rugby Championship photo shoot

Argentina coach Mario Ledesma said the side felt "disrespected" after photos of the Australia, New Zealand and South Africa captains were published.

Rugby Australia and governing body Sanzaar said a "late travel change" meant Julian Montoya could not attend.

Sanzaar said it was a communications breakdown and accepted responsibility.

All Blacks beat Argentina to go top of world rankings

The bonus-point victory in front of 38,000 at Lang Park extended their lead to 10 points over second-placed South Africa in the Rugby Championship table while ending Argentina and Australia's title hopes.

South Africa, beaten 30-17 by Australia in the first match of Saturday's double-header, will need to defeat the All Blacks twice and pile on the tries in their last two matches to earn bonus points to have any hope of stealing the silverware.

All Blacks keep Argentina scoreless in Rugby Championship

The five-try victory could have been an even bigger winning margin.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has credited his side's patience and decision making in the win.

"Pretty clinical and patient would be the words I'd use, not adjectives that would normally describe an All Black win I guess, but I'm actually delighted with it," Foster said.

Boks make 10 changes

Coach Jacques Nienaber says they do not mean to "disrespect" Argentina with the changes from the team that won the Lions series 2-1, but with five test matches on consecutive weekends, there is a concern over player welfare after the Springboks did not play for 20 months following their 2019 World Cup triumph.

Elton Jantjies has taken over at flyhalf, with the hero from Sunday's 19-16 win over the Lions, Morne Steyn, among the replacements. Cobus Reinach has retained his place at scrumhalf.

Fiji 7s eyes Olympic gold medal as it meets NZ in final

New Zealand will be out with all guns blazing after they lost to Fiji in the quarter-final at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.

Captain Jerry Tuwai is the lone player from the 2016 gold medal winning team and a win tonight will cap off his illustrious rugby career.

 Earlier in the day, Fiji defeated Argentina 26-14 in the semi-final.

Fiji had much of the possession in the first four minutes as they ran in two tries.

Sireli Maqala showed his strength and skills as he powered his way through for an unconverted try.

Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 to win Copa America

Di Maria started for just the second time in the Copa and he justified his selection by scoring the opener midway through the first half.

Renan Lodi failed to cut out a long ball forward from Rodrigo De Paul and Di Maria lobbed the stranded Ederson with aplomb.

Brazil piled on the pressure in an exciting second half but even with five strikers on the field they could not get an equaliser against an Argentine defence protected by the outstanding Rodrigo De Paul.

Lionel Messi scored twice as he became Argentina's most capped player

 Messi set up Papu Gomez's sixth-minute opener, before scoring a penalty and adding a second just before half-time to extend his record goals tally to 75.

Elsewhere, Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani scored a 21st-minute penalty as Uruguay beat Paraguay 1-0.

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez also scored in Argentina's win and the team are now unbeaten in their last 17 games.

They take on Ecuador in the quarter-finals on Sunday, while Uruguay play Colombia on Saturday.

Hosts Brazil play Chile, while Paraguay face Peru.

   

Pumas up for Laureus World Sports Award for historic win over All Blacks

In the 30th match between the two sides, Argentina finally beat the All Blacks 25-15 in the Tri-Nations in Sydney in November.

Other contenders for team of the year are Bayern Munich, Liverpool, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Mercedes F1 team.

Last year's men's joint winner Lewis Hamilton has again been nominated, but co-winner Lionel Messi is missing with Robert Lewandowski the top footballer included. LeBron James and Rafael Nadal are the other leading contenders.