Argentina 45 Tonga 16: Argentina captain Agustin Creevy revealed Diego Maradona’s dressing room dance has driven them to push for Rugby World Cup glory.

The Rugby World Cup has not yet reached the midway point of the pool stage but squads are already being stretched by injuries. Simon Lewis

Sonny Bill Williams made an instant impact as New Zealand opened their World Cup defence with victory against Argentina, but says there is plenty of work to do.

Argentina 21 Australia 17

Argentina 17 Ireland 23

Wales’ long wait to claim the major southern hemisphere scalp they crave continues – but only after an heroic display in a ferocious Test match of brutal intensity at the Millennium Stadium.

England emerged comfortable 31-12 winners against Argentina at a subdued Twickenham, but another patchy performance in the QBE Internationals posed as many questions as answers.

Ireland secured a top eight position in the IRB World Rankings ahead of the 2015 World Cup pool allocation draw with an emphatic 46-24 victory over Argentina and hooker Richardt Strauss is confident it won’t be a one-off performance.

Craig Gilroy was so wracked with nerves before Ireland’s record 46-24 victory over Argentina that he considered driving back to Belfast.

Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe insists camaraderie rather than World Cup seedings will inspire Argentina to end a groundbreaking year on a triumphant note.

Argentina captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe has credited New Zealand’s World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry with transforming the Pumas’ self-belief.

Argentina prop Juan Figallo has been cited for head-butting France captain Pascal Pape at the end of the Pumas’ 39-22 defeat in Lille on Saturday night.

Wales 12 Argentina 26

Argentina 16 South Africa 16

Argentina 25 Georgia 7

Argentina 43 Romania 8

Argentina 9 England 13

Argentina have brought Gonzalo Tiesi into a full-strength side for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup opener against England.

ARGENTINA captain Felipe Contepomi labelled Ireland one of the best teams in Europe following the Pumas’ 29-9 defeat at the Aviva Stadium.

Geordan Murphy is braced for a snow-covered aerial bombardment when Ireland meet Argentina in Dublin tomorrow.

THE end is near, but will tomorrow’s game against Argentina mark a fresh dawn for Ireland?

ARGENTINA bounced back from their home series defeat by Scotland in style with a record thrashing of Six Nations champions France in Buenos Aires.

Toulon centre Felipe Contepomi has returned to the Argentina squad for the Pumas’ Tests against Scotland and France.

ARGENTINA has moved a step closer to joining an expanded Tri-Nations in 2012 after the International Rugby Board yesterday announced a $10m (€7.5m) funding package to support the programme.

ARGENTINA have made a diplomatic response after Wales boss Warren Gatland questioned the Pumas’ unofficial status as world rugby’s most revered scrummagers.

WALES boss Warren Gatland has given short shrift to claims that Argentina possess the most revered scrummaging unit in world rugby.

Brian O’Driscoll revealed Ireland refused to be intimidated by Argentina in today’s 17-3 victory after being criticised for their capitulation to New Zealand.

Ireland 17 Argentina 3

JUAN Manuel Leguizamon has played 29 times for Argentina, on numerous occasions in the English Premiership and Heineken Cup, and more recently for Stade Francais.

Geordan Murphy is braced for an aerial bombardment when Ireland collide with Argentina.

Juan Martin Hernandez has been included in the Argentina squad for next month’s tour of Europe after recovering from a hand injury.

Leicester have signed Argentina World Cup prop Santiago Bonorino.

AUSTRALIA and New Zealand believe Argentina deserve a place in the Tri-Nations but have warned that the South Americans must “get their house in order” first.

ARGENTINA will not be admitted into the Six Nations after being told by the International Rugby Board their future lies in the southern hemisphere.

France captain Raphael Ibanez has been cited following an alleged stamping incident during last night’s World Cup bronze medal match defeat against Argentina at Parc des Princes.

ARGENTINA’S director of rugby Les Cusworth is convinced the best is yet to come from Juan Martin Hernandez, the Pumas fly-half dubbed rugby’s Maradona.

SCOTLAND’S World Cup run came to a disappointing end at the quarter-final stage as Argentina stuttered into a last-four date with South Africa with a scrappy victory in Paris last night.

Scotland fly-half Dan Parks is wary of Argentinian opposite number Juan Martin Hernandez ahead of Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final in Paris.

Ireland 15 Argentina 30

Argentina centre Manuel Contepomi has mocked suggestions twin brother Felipe is flaky under pressure.

Denis Hickie will draw inspiration from the enormity of the prize at stake as he prepares for probably the final match of his career.