The Latest: England leads 14-man Pumas 15-3 at halftime

By Associated Press 06 October 2019, 12:00AM

TOKYO (AP) — The Latest on Day 16 of the Rugby World Cup in Japan (all times local):

6 p.m.

England was leading 14-man Argentina 15-3 at halftime at Tokyo Stadium and set to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Argentina, needing a win to stay in the quarterfinals hunt, went down a man from the 18th minute when lock Tomas Lavanini was red-carded for a shoulder-led tackle into the neck of England center Owen Farrell.

To that point, the Pool C match was on edge, including a midfield fight after Farrell was late-tackled by Argentina captain Pablo Matera.

The red card took the tension out of the match, with England up 5-3 at the time, a Jonny May try trumping a Benjamin Urdapilleta penalty.

Despite the man advantage, England didn't score until the 36th through fullback Elliot Daly, and scrumhalf Ben Youngs went over in injury time after 20 phases of attack.

Farrell missed converting all three tries and a penalty.

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5:30 p.m.

Argentina was reduced to 14 men from the 18th minute against England after lock Tomas Lavanini was sent off for a dangerous high tackle on England center Owen Farrell.

Lavanini went in left shoulder first and hit Farrell in the neck, and referee Nigel Owens sent him off.

Lavanini is the fifth red card of this tournament, making it the worst for red cards in tournament history.

England led 5-3 at the time.

Only two minutes later, Argentina fans were whistling when England center Manu Tuilagi tackled Emiliano Boffelli while the Argentina fullback was in the air. But Owens only penalized Tuilagi because he said Boffelli had a foot on the ground.

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4:45 p.m.

The Springboks say winger Cheslin Kolbe is fine after x-rays on a twisted left ankle.

Kolbe was walking normally on Saturday after the x-rays showed no serious damage. He was hurt in the final minutes of the 49-3 Pool B win over Italy in Shizuoka on Friday night and was taken off as a precaution.

Kolbe has been an inspiration for the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup. He was South Africa's best player in the loss to New Zealand and scored two tries against Italy to help put the Boks back on course for the quarterfinals.

Coach Rassie Erasmus says Kolbe could play "at a push" in their last pool game against Canada on Tuesday but it's unlikely he'll be risked for the game.

Fellow winger Makazole Mapimpi had nine stitches in a cut on his forehead from the Italy game but he's also clear to play.

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4:10 p.m.

Tevita Kuridrani and Dane Haylett-Petty crossed for two tries each as Australia beat Uruguay 45-10 in a Pool D game that did little to enhance confidence in the Wallabies' title credentials.

The Australians led 19-3 at halftime despite twice being a man down with players yellow-carded for high tackles.

Expected to win comfortably, the Wallabies handicapped themselves with some lazy tackling techniques against a highly committed if over-matched Uruguay lineup, some poor tactical and scrum options playing for 20 of the first 40 minutes with 14 players.

Tries to wingers Haylett-Petty in the sixth minute and 19-year-old Jordan Petaia, who scored with his second touch in test rugby, in the 24th gave Australia a 14-3 lead.

Australia lock Adam Coleman was yellow-carded for a high tackle on fullback Rodrigo Silva in the 14th, and blindside flanker Lukhan Salakaia-Loto got 10 minutes in the sin-bin for a high shot in the 29th.

Despite the numeric disadvantage, center Kuridrani scored Australia's third try in the 31st after Michael Hooper turned over the Uruguay ball.

Four more tries in the second half — including a first in 94 tests for prop James Slipper — and a bit more discipline allowed the Wallabies to run away with the result.

Australia made slow starts in its opening win over Fiji and its 29-25 loss to Six Nations champion Wales, and again needed a halftime break to instill some composure despite never being behind on the scoreboard.

After 18 phases of play No. 8 Manuel Diana touched down on the line to score Uruguay's first try.

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3:10 p.m.

Australia leads Uruguay 19-3 at halftime despite twice being a man down with players yellow-carded for high tackles in the Pool D game at Oita.

Australia was expected to win comfortably but was handicapping itself with some lazy tackling technique against a highly committed if over-matched Uruguay lineup.

The two-time champion Wallabies led 14-3 after tries to wingers Dane Haylett-Petty in the sixth minute and 19-year-old Jordan Petaia, who scored with his second touch in test rugby, in the 14th.

Flyhalf Felipe Berchesi slotted Uruguay's only points, converting a penalty for a high tackle after his team was unable to capitalize on a lineout and a scrum from close range in the 12th.

Australia lock Adam Coleman was yellow-carded for a high tackle on fullback Rodrigo Silva in the 14th and again was a man down when blindside flanker Lukhan Salakaia-Loto got 10 minutes in the sin-bin for a high shot.

Despite the numeric disadvantage, center Tevita Kuridrani scored Australia's third try in the 31st to make the score 19-3.

The Uruguayans appeared to cross for try via center Tomas Inciarte after a ruck turnover just before halftime, but the Television Match Official intervened to disallow it because No. 8 Manuel Diana was never onside before be pilfered the ball at the back of the ruck.

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11:45 a.m.

James O'Connor has been ruled out of Australia's Rugby World Cup game against Uruguay and will be replaced on the reserves bench by vice-captain Samu Kerevi.

Utility back O'Connor was initially included on the bench and was expected to play a minor role in the game at Oita, but he corked a muscle at practice and was ruled out as a precaution.

Kerevi, who was set to be rested for the Pool D game after playing a big role in Australia's win over Fiji and narrow loss to Wales, was drafted into the 23-man matchday squad.

Rugby Australia says two other changes are merely cosmetic. Because of what it described as a "embroidery mishap" backrowers Jack Dempsey and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will swap jersey numbers.

Dempsey, selected to play at No. 8, will wear the No. 6 jersey. Salakaia-Loto will play on the blindside flank but will wear the No. 8 jersey.

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11:30 a.m.

England takes on Argentina in a pivotal Pool C game as Rugby World Cup action ramps up again with three games on Saturday.

Eddie Jones' England squad can secure a quarterfinals spot with another win. Argentina would be all but out of contention with another loss after losing 23-21 to France in its opening game.

England missed out on the quarterfinals in 2015, becoming the first Rugby World Cup tournament host nation to fail to get out of the group stage.

Japan needs a win over Samoa at City of Toyota Stadium to secure a Rugby World Cup quarterfinals spot for the first time

In the opening game on Day 16, two-time champion Australia takes on Uruguay at Oita.

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More AP Rugby World Cup: https://www.apnews.com/RugbyWorldCup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

By Associated Press 06 October 2019, 12:00AM

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