The Rugby World Cup 2023 is underway, and the quarter-final stage is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in recent history. One of the most highly anticipated matches is Wales vs Argentina, a clash of two titans of the game.

Wales come into the match on the back of a strong group stage performance, where they topped Pool C with four wins from four. Argentina, on the other hand, finished second in Pool D, but they will be buoyed by their impressive victory over England in the final pool match.

Both teams have a rich history in the Rugby World Cup, with Wales having reached the semi-finals twice and Argentina having reached the final once. However, neither team has won the tournament before, and they will both be desperate to make history in France this year.

The Wales vs Argentina match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams evenly matched. It is a match that neither team can afford to lose, and it is sure to be a classic.

Wales vs Argentina Match Details

• Time: Saturday, 14 October 2023, 17:00 Local Time, 11 AM ET
• Stadium: Stade de Marseille, Marseille
• Watch free: 9Now (AUS) | ITVX (UK)

In this Quarter-final 1 matchup, the spotlight is on two formidable teams with a history of delivering enthralling performances on the international stage. With Wales holding the 7th position and Argentina closely following at 8th in the world rankings, the stakes are high as both teams are determined to secure their place in the semi-finals. As the clock ticks closer to the match, the Stade de Marseille, boasting a capacity of 67,000, is expected to be packed with fervent supporters, creating an electrifying atmosphere for the clash.

Under the supervision of the experienced referee Jaco Peyper from South Africa, the encounter promises to be a thrilling spectacle, filled with intense tackles, strategic plays, and unwavering determination from both sides. With both teams displaying their resilience and skill throughout the tournament, the quarter-final promises to be a battle of tactical acumen and physical prowess.

Preview

The excitement in Marseille ignites as Wales and Argentina clash in the quarter-finals, aiming for a shot at either Ireland or New Zealand in the semis at Saint-Denis.

Wales has been flawless in France, securing their spot in the last eight from Pool C with an impressive 19 points and four consecutive victories. Their recent 43-19 triumph over Georgia in Nantes last Saturday solidified their strong start in the competition.

Head coach Warren Gatland has orchestrated six changes to the starting lineup following their win against Georgia. Dan Biggar returns at fly-half, and Tommy Reffell remains at openside flanker. Captain Jac Morgan shifts to blindside flanker, while Aaron Wainwright steps in for the injured Taulupe Faletau at the number eight position.

On the other hand, Argentina, recovering from an initial loss to England, secured the second quarter-final spot from Pool D with a 39-27 win over Japan at Stade de la Beaujoire a week ago. Their scrum-half, Tomás Cubelli, has replaced Gonzalo Bertranou, and Facundo Isa joins Los Pumas’ back row in place of the injured Pablo Matera, as head coach Michael Cheika implements two alterations to the starting XV.

Notably, Cheika’s reliance on experience remains evident, with nine players from the squad that conquered Ireland in Cardiff during the 2015 Rugby World Cup still featuring in the lineup to face Wales in Marseille.

The fixture between Wales and Argentina is set to take place at Stade de Marseille, accommodating 67,847 fans, with kick-off scheduled for 17:00 local time (GMT+2).

In their previous encounters, Wales has held the advantage over Los Pumas, winning 15 out of 22 tests and drawing one, including their meetings at the Rugby World Cups in 1991 and 1999.

A memorable match between the two sides occurred in November 2022, where Wales secured a 20-13 victory in Cardiff, featuring tries from Taulupe Faletau and scrum-half Tomos Williams. This win came as a relief for Wales following a challenging match against New Zealand, which they lost with a significant point margin. However, their subsequent match against Georgia ended in defeat.

One of the key talking points of the event is Wales’ shifting fortunes under Warren Gatland, with their performance surpassing expectations after a relatively underwhelming Six Nations and summer internationals campaign earlier this year.

A player head-to-head worth noting is the face-off between Wales’ Louis Rees-Zammit and Argentina’s Mateo Carreras, both known for their high-velocity hat-trick performances in the pool phase.

Louis Rees-Zammit stands out as the sole player to have started all five of Wales’ games in RWC 2023 thus far. He has made an impact, scoring five tries in four matches and assisting in one. Rees-Zammit leads the team in various statistics, including defenders beaten (14) and carry meters (325), along with George North, sharing the record for the most line breaks at four.

Teams

WALES Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Will Rowlands, Adam Beard; Jac Morgan (captain), Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright

Replacements: Dewi Lake, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Tomos Williams, Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer

Here’s how Wales advanced to the RWC quarterfinals:

• Wales 32, Fiji 26
• Wales 28, Portugal 8
• Wales 40, Australia 6
• Wales 43, Georgia 19

ARGENTINA Juan Cruz Mallía; Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras; Santiago Carreras, Tomas Cubelli; Thomas Gallo, Julián Montoya (captain), Francisco Gómez Kodela; Guido Petti Pagadizabal, Tomas Lavanini; Juan Martin González, Marcos Kremer, Facundo Isa

Replacements: Agustín Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazán Vélez, Nicolás Sánchez, Matías Moroni

Here’s how Argentina advanced to the RWC quarterfinals:

• England 27, Argentina 10
• Argentina 19, Samoa 10
• Argentina 59, Chile 5
• Argentina 39, Japan 27

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