Unlikely showdown

Argentina and New Zealand weren't supposed to get this far after losing their opening games at the Rugby World Cup. The Pumas were seen as no-hopers, the All Blacks perceived as a faded force.

Both proved their doubters wrong to set up a semi-final showdown in Paris tonight that few tipped to happen.

Reaching a final is unchartered waters for Argentina, while a fifth final in 10 tournaments is on offer for New Zealand.

"History is not in our favor but it is up to us to change that," Pumas coach Michael Cheika said. "We have a chance to and we will be ready."

After a humiliating 27-10 defeat to 14-man England, the Argentines were written off and then only scraped past Samoa 19-10. After routing Chile 59-5, the Pumas concluded the pool stage with a tense 39-27 win against Japan.

Last weekend, they rallied twice to beat Wales in the quarter-finals.

Cheika urged his players to remember both what got them this far and what it means back home.

"We want to inspire not just by our results but by our ambition, by our ability to get back up and overcome obstacles," he said. "There are not a lot of opportunities in life - us playing in a semi-final is an even rarer chance and we want to have no regrets."

England face holders South Africa in the other semi-final tomorrow.

"Everyone is expecting a New Zealand and South Africa final," said Cheika, adding that the Pumas need to be "clear about what is going to be required when the heat comes on."

The heat was on New Zealand a few weeks ago.

After losing 35-7 to South Africa in their final warmup, and then beaten 27-13 by hosts France in their World Cup opener, the All Blacks were not considered good enough to go the distance by many observers. But coach Ian Foster's side scored 240 points in routing Namibia, Italy and Uruguay and incredibly withstood a final attack of 37 phases to down top-ranked Ireland 28-24 in the quarter-finals.

Foster certainly won't take the Pumas lightly.

"We know these games are do or die," he said. "Argentina have a history of overachieving at the World Cup."

Foster summoned left winger Mark Tele'a from purgatory to face an Argentina side which changed only their scrum-half to play Gonzalo Bertranou in anticipation of a much faster game than they had against Wales.

Tele'a was axed from the quarter-final against Ireland after breaking curfew.

In New Zealand's second change, lock Sam Whitelock - a World Cup winner in 2011 and 2015 - starts ahead of Brodie Retallick.

Argentina are encouraged by their victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand last year. "It confirms we can beat anyone," captain Julian Montoya said.