Ireland and Wales sorrowful, Argentina and Fiji rejoice

Two of the perennial Rugby powerhouses are already taking their respective short flights home from the Rugby World Cup in France. In Group D, Ireland, who lost to France last weekend and has repeatedly failed to collect precious bonus points where it counted, was bounced out of the Rugby World Cup by underdogs Argentina 30-15. Ireland needed not only a win, but four tries and to win by more than seven points (rugby tiebreakers can get a bit crazy) in order to advance as the second seed. The Pumas shut down Ireland in the second half and will play Scotland this weekend.

In the other Group D match Sunday, France beat Georgia earlier in the day and had hoped that Ireland would be able to pull out a win against Argentina in order to avoid a date with New Zealand in the Quarterfinals. There is no excuses for the home nation, as they were not able to beat Argentina in their clash and will play the All Blacks in Cardiff. So much for home field advantage. Playing in Cardiff, Wales against the best team in the world when you host a tournament in your country isn’t exactly the best scenario for Les Bleus.

Wales is the second world cup powerhouse to be knocked out of the tournament, this one by the upstart island nation of Fiji. Fiji shocked the world by beating the Welsh 38-34. Fiji will play South Africa Sunday in the Quarterfinals.