BATTLE SCARRED
Farrell smashed again and fears for Vunipola, but England can look forward to bigger challenges
ONCE the victory was secured, England’s players walked around all four sides of the pitch to line up as one for their customary Japanese bow.
As t hey were applauded by travelling English fans — dressed as knights in armour, red roses or Prince Harry — there was one glaring absentee. Even the reserves basked in the glory but where was Billy Vunipola?
It is mission accomplished for Eddie Jones’ squad, although the victory could come at a cost. England do not have another specialist No 8 and they will sweat over the prognosis on Vunipola’s heavily-strapped right ankle.
With three wins from three, England have secured their passage to the quarter-final with a game to spare without facing a true test of their title credentials. Argentina lock Tomas Lavanini was sent off for a high shot on Owen Farrell after 18 minutes and, from thereon in, this victory was a formality.
Between the seventh and 71st minute, Argentina failed to score a single point. England delivered a clinical display — again conducted by George Ford — to douse the flames of Argentinian emotion.
Topping 30C, it was one of the hottest days of the tournament so far and English fans poured out of Tobitakyu metro station with red cheeks and sweat patches.
For the Argentinians, it felt just like summer in Buenos Aires. They bounced and sang and basked in the sunshine — even as their side slipped away on the scoreboard.
Fortunately for England, night falls early in Tokyo and Jones’ side dictated the tempo as the air cooled. Argentina stuck in the battle for 15 minutes but competing with 14 men was one challenge too far.
After Kyle Sinckler was penalised for a no-arms tackle, the Pumas took an early lead through the boot of No 10 Benjamin Urdapilleta. That was as good as it got.
If their analysts had spotted one glaring weakness in the English ranks in the build-up, it is their defensive flakiness under the high ball. Neither Tonga nor the USA had put it under strain but, when Argentina kicked, Elliot Daly had all the answers in one of his most assured performances at 15.
England’s riposte came when Dal y g a t h e r e d a l i mp k i c k , showcasing his football skills with a chip over the top of an onrushing defender. England gained valuable territory, with Maro Itoje claiming the ball at the tail of the line-out, before Ford switched play to set up Jonny May.
There had been talk of rugby warfare before kick-off. Argentina, e y e s b u l g i n g , h a d p r o mi s e d physicality and 27 men piled into a brawl after Pablo Matera’s late hit on Ben Youngs. Moments later, Lavanini, the hot-headed lock, lined up Farrell. He locked his eyes onto the England captain and landed his left shoulder square on Farrell’s jaw. Red card. It is the second time in nine days that Farrell has been clattered — following the red-card hit from USA flanker John Quill — but medics gave him the all clear to stay on the pitch.
Lavanini trudged off, hands on hips, before kicking a water bottle with the look of a man who had just cost his team the World Cup. Referee Nigel Owens was left with no other option — although moments later Manu Tuilagi was t hanking hi s l ucky s t ars f or avoiding a yellow card for tackling Emiliano Boffelli in the air.
The battle at the scrum had been talked up like a heavyweight boxing fight. Lavanini’s dismissal, however, resulted in a 12- round victory for England.
England grew complacent after the sending- off but eventually made their advantage count. Farrell missed four kicks at goal in the first half, while Vunipola struggled through after falling awkwardly under Urdapilleta’s tackle.
But two quick tries before the break put England in control, with Daly hitch- kicking through the defence to score, before Youngs sniped through after 20 phases to score in overtime.
Vunipola did not re-emerge but England stepped up their intensity with graceful string- pulling by Ford. Tom Curry switched to No 8 and, after Tuilagi sucked in four defenders with a powerful carry, Ford dived over for a short-range, bonus-point try.
Argentina scored through Matias Moroni but there was little cheer as coach Mario Ledesma faced questions about his future.
Jack Nowell marked his comeback
from the bench with a late try, before Luke Cowan-Dickie scored his fifth try in seven Tests.
Argentina had declared a ‘war’ but their biggest show of fight was a brawl after the final whistle, involving everyone bar Vunipola, as all hell broke loose in Tokyo.