Rugby World Cup takes a one-day pause after hectic week

All 20 teams have had a taste of Rugby World Cup action and now there's a one-day pause in the tournament for some rest and relaxation.

There were 12 games in the opening seven days, starting with Japan's win over Russia and also including defending champion New Zealand's win over South Africa and France's win against Argentina.

This weekend will feature three games on Saturday and two on Sunday, with Argentina kicking things off against Tonga in Osaka.

Japan faces Ireland and South Africa and Namibia meet later Saturday. Australia and Wales go head-to-head on Sunday.

American Quill banned 3 World Cup games for dangerous tackle

U.S. flanker John Quill was suspended for the remainder of the pool stage at the Rugby World Cup on Friday after admitting to a dangerous tackle that resulted in his red card in the Eagles' opening loss to England.

Quill flattened England back Owen Farrell with a shoulder charge into his head in the 70th minute for the red card offense on Thursday in Kobe.

An independent judicial committee ruled the no-arms tackle was "reckless rather than deliberate."

He will miss the United States' remaining pool games against France, Argentina and Tonga. He's free to play from Oct. 14.

Quill became the first player to be red-carded at this Rugby World Cup, and the first American in tournament history.

Australia winger Reece Hodge and Samoa center Rey Lee-Lo have also been suspended for three games each for dangerous tackles.

Tonga's flagging attack needs to start firing v Argentina

Tonga has been conceding heavily without scoring much lately, and the attack has to start firing against Argentina in Saturday's must-win Rugby World Cup match.

Toutai Kefu's squad has scored one try in the past two games. By contrast it has allowed a hatful of them, in a 35-3 World Cup loss to England and a 92-7 thumping by defending champion New Zealand in a pre-tournament warmup.

Kefu is hopeful that Telusa Veainu's return from a foot injury to play at fullback changes the dynamic.

"We don't have many players like Telusa. He is high quality and has a lot of X-factor," Kefu said of the Leicester Tigers player. "He is critical for us. That's why we've thrown him straight in."

Tongan territorial gains counted for little against England, but Veainu could change that.

"I think we were very poor in attack. We didn't execute or throw any punches," said Kefu, a former backrower who won the 1999 World Cup with Australia. "I think he will give us spark in attack, he can make something out of nothing."

Veainu's selection somewhat softens the blow of losing flyhalf Kurt Morath to a throat injury which has ruled him out of the tournament.

James Faiva has the considerable task of replacing Tonga's World Cup and all-time leading scorer, in what will only be his sixth test appearance.

"James' strength is his kicking game and that fits in very well with how we want to play. We want to play territory and keep the ball in front of the forwards," Kefu said. "But he is also going to have to tackle and communicate well."

To help Faiva cope with the defensive demands against a Pumas team which offloads well and has quick backs, Kefu has switched veteran center Siale Piutau from outside to inside center.

"That's where I play for Bristol. Obviously it's a different challenge here, but I will be closer to helping James," said the 33-yearold Piutau, who is making his 10th World Cup appearance. "It will be another physical battle. The scrum and lineout is also our strength and if we can match them (there), I think we will have a good platform."

Argentina has twice finished the Rugby World Cup in third place, in 2015 and 2007.

A defeat would all but end its chances of reaching the knockout stage, however, seeing as Argentina lost its opener against France.

Wales was the last team to fail to reach the knockout rounds in the tournament after playing in the semifinals — exiting at the group stage in 1991 after finishing third in 1987.

Tonga needs to win to keep its own slim chances alive in a hard Pool C, where it still has to play three-time runner-up France.

Although Argentina is favored to win at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, on the outskirts of Osaka, the Tongans believe in a similar upset to Uruguay's 30-27 upset win over Fiji on Wednesday.

"We have seen there is a chance," Piutau said. "Once the stars are aligned, there's a wonderful opportunity for us."