SYDNEY, 27 October 2003 — England and Ireland both survived epic battles yesterday to book their place in the World Cup quarterfinals and leave just two places up for grabs with a week of pool games left to play.
England recovered from a 10-point deficit to beat a physical Samoa 35-22 in Melbourne while Ireland held their nerve in a tense finish to defeat Argentina 16-15 in Adelaide. Ireland’s win not only knocked the Pumas out of the tournament but also guaranteed defending champions Australia a place in the last eight with New Zealand, France and Wales.
The last two quarterfinal berths will be decided next weekend when Samoa play South Africa in Brisbane and Scotland tackle Fiji in Sydney.
The remaining 10 teams have all been eliminated although eight of them still have at least one match to play. Italy and Argentina are already packing their bags after playing their last matches.
Samoa exposed a number of chinks in England’s armor as they rattled the Six Nations champions with their ferocious tackling, racing to a 10-0 lead when flyhalf Earl Va’a kicked a penalty and then converted a sixth-minute try by captain and number eight Semo Sititi.
Flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson saved England once again after an erratic start, contributing 15 points with the boot while his superb crosskick in the 68th minute to an unmarked Iain Balshaw set up the try that broke the defiance of the Samoans.
Ireland were forced to battle desperately hard to overcome a physical Argentina and avenge their loss to the Pumas four years ago.
Flanker Alan Quinlan scored a first half try for Ireland after a break by captain Keith Wood but was then forced to leave the field with a dislocated shoulder.
Ireland, who led 10-9 at halftime, were rocked by a magnificent drop kick by Argentina fullback Ignacio Corleto which gave his side a one-point lead going into the final quarter. The Irish finally poured on the pressure with some spirited forays allowing Ronan O’Gara to kick two penalties. Argentine flyhalf Gonzalo Quesada then reduced the margin to a point with a penalty but Ireland held on. “There is a feeling of relief because there was huge pressure and the stakes were so high,” Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan said.
