An Argentinian rugby player has been banned for 29 years for kicking a rival's head during a match between two local amateur sides.

ACT Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa has one eye on the 2019 World Cup after securing a new deal in Canberra and launching himself on to the Wallabies radar.

Australia will play a Test against Argentina at Twickenham in a bid to cash in on the success of both countries at last year's World Cup.

South African winger Bryan Habana and flyhalf Handre Pollard fell just short in their bids for individual records despite helping the Springboks to a 24-13 win over Argentina in the bronze medal playoff at the Olympic Stadium on Friday.

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Argentinian passion never dies – just ask former Wallabies and Pumas prop Patricio Noriega, who was torn between his two loves when his rugby worlds crashed into each other 13 years ago.

Referee Craig Joubert has been unfairly treated.

Australia's World Cup semi-final hopes have been given a massive boost after influential starters David Pocock and Israel Folau were named to start against Argentina on Sunday.

The Wallaby ABC - It's easy as 1 2 3. As simple as, do re mi.

Argentina halfback Tomas Cubelli says freedom of expression will allow the Pumas to open up and play "without fear" as they chase their first World Cup final berth.

Tighthead prop who respresented Australia and Argentina was in tears after addressing Wallabies before clash with Pumas in 2002.

Everyone wants to be Maverick because he gets the girl at the end of Top Gun, but Bernard Foley is happy to be the Wallabies' 'Iceman' as they chase World Cup glory.

James Slipper has revealed he felt "sick in the stomach" in the aftermath of the pass that almost cost Australia their spot in the World Cup semi-finals this weekend.

The scrambling for the moral high ground on both sides of the Craig Joubert debate is farcical - we are all guilty of naked self-interest in our treatment of whistleblowers.

Forget the controversy and move on to the semi-final. That's the message coming out of Wallabies camp as they attempt to bury the lingering referee drama of their tense quarter-final win.

LONDON: It does not matter whether the Wallabies deserved to make the semi-final, only whether they would be satisfied with only making the semi-final.

Argentina have beaten Ireland twice in three previous World Cup meetings, but that means nada, says Los Pumas coach.

Wales coach Warren Gatland is banking on a slice of luck, and a small amount of superstition, as the Springboks loom large.

Part-Irishman and accomplished polo player Marcos Ayerza is itching to take down the land of his forefathers with Argentina's secret scrummaging weapon.