LONDON (AP) β The latest at the Rugby World Cup (all times local):
2:45 p.m.
A day after New Zealand beat South Africa in an attritional game in wet conditions, the weather at Twickenham is very different for the second semifinal.
Fans are milling about outside the home of English rugby on a chilly day under blue skies and sunshine. That should ensure an open, expansive game, which will suit both teams.
The Wallabies are known for their slick backline play, and the Pumas are gaining a similar reputation after years of playing 10-man rugby based on forward grunt.
It remains to be seen if Argentina reverts to type to combat Australia but scrumhalf Martin Landajo couldn’t have been more clear.
“We cannot go back to our forwards game,” Landajo said. “We don’t know how to do that anymore.”
The teams have arrived at Twickenham.
___
1:55 p.m.
As far as All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is concerned, Richie McCaw’s off-the-ball contact with South Africa’s Francois Louw in New Zealand’s 20-18 Rugby World Cup semifinal win is a non-issue.
Video of the first-half incident spread quickly on social media on Saturday night, with McCaw appearing to run into Louw, who was kneeling, as he ran around a ruck.
“Nothing in it, so there’s nothing to talk about,” Hansen told a Sunday news conference. “Everyone’s got a bit excited, so move on.”
After the game, Hansen praised 147-test veteran McCaw as “probably the greatest player we’ve ever seen.”
___
1:40 p.m.
Argentina soccer great Diego Maradona promised he’d be back to watch the Pumas if they reached the Rugby World Cup semifinals.
It looks like he’s keeping his word.
World Rugby says Maradona is expected to attend the World Cup semifinal between Argentina and Australia at Twickenham on Sunday. Argentina is aiming to advance to the final for the first time.
Maradona was in the crowd at Leicester for Argentina’s pool-stage win over Tonga last month. He went into the Pumas’ changing room after the game, and sang and danced with players.
