A rout in Durban, a scrap in Kingston, a steamrolling in Salta, and a showdown in Houston closed out the big weekend. Time for part two of this week’s reviews.
SOUTH AFRICA 44 vs 10 ITALY
Saturday, June 8, 15:15 GMT, Durban
After an almost comically poor first half in which they conceded 20 unanswered points, the Azzurri regained some credibility in the second, only to see the Springboks pull away with two late tries to stretch the scoreline. Italy were totally outmatched in the contact area by the brutal South African forwards and committed countless errors when they had the ball. Sergio Parisse was once again involved heavily but the frustration was evident on his face as his charges bumbled about.
The Boks will be pleased with what amounts to a warm up match. Bryan Habana was at his absolute best on his unaccustomed right wing, and Adriaan Strauss was outstanding once again as pack leader. New caps Arno Botha, Jano Vermaak, and Willie le Roux all performed well, with the fullback in particular exciting with ball in hand. Vermaak was unfortunately forced to retire early with a hamstring injury that looks to keep him out of the remainder of the tournament, but Ruan Pienaar should prove a more than adequate replacement.
Italy sadly have nowhere to turn for reinforcements. The harsh realities of having only two clubs to draw from and few leading players playing abroad means that their selection options are limited, and when their top players don’t perform they simply don’t have the depth to bring in alternatives. While one hopes they will improve against Manu Samoa next week, it looks like the next fortnight will be difficult for Jacques Brunel’s camp.
SCORING
South Africa – M. Steyn 4c 3p, P. Lambie 1c, A. Strauss 1t, J.J. Engelbrecht 1t, B. Habana 1t, J. de Villiers 1t, B. Basson 1t
Italy – A. Di Bernardo 1c 1p, A. Sgarbi 1t
CARDS
South Africa – B .Basson yellow
Italy – M. Bortolami yellow
SOUTH AFRICA
W. le Roux; B. Habana (J. Serfontein 71), J.J. Engelbrecht, J. de Villiers (capt.), B. Basson; M. Steyn (P. Lambie 75), J. Vermaak (R. Pienaar 60); T. Mtawarira (T. Nyakane 73), A. Strauss (C. Ralapelle 56), J. du Plessis (C. Oosthuzien 59); E. Etzebeth, J. Kruger (F. van der Merwe 59); F. Louw (M. Coetzee 55), A. Botha, P. Spies.
ITALY
A. Masi; G. Venditti, L. Morisi (T. Iannone 67), A. Sgarbi, L. McLean; A. Di Bernardo (L. Orquera 78), E. Gori (T. Botes 60); A. de Marchi (M. Aguero 46), L. Ghiraldini (D. Giazzon 46), L. Cittadini (M. Castrogiovanni 49); A. Pavanello, M. Bortolami (V. Bernabo 67); A. Zanni, R. Barbieri (J. Furno 49), S. Parisse (capt.).
CANADA 36 vs 27 TONGA
Saturday, June 8, 18:00 GMT, Kingston
A tremendous 23 point individual haul for James Pritchard was unfortunately overshadowed by a bust up out of the blue in the 36th minute that saw Tongan loosehead Eddie Aholelei sent from the pitch. In truth they were lucky to lose only the one player, and for whatever reason completely lost their composure at that point. Two more players were sin-binned in the second half for blatantly dangerous challenges that saw them reduced to just twelve players on the pitch, and yet remarkably they managed to stay in the game until the end.
It’s difficult to judge the Canadian performances based on the circumstances, but it’s equally unfair to say that the fine performances of several players should go unrecognized. Nathan Hirayama made several telling line breaks, and the back row of Jebb Sinclair, John Moonlight, and captain Aaron Carpenter were outstanding. Some of the reserves might find themselves in the hot seat during video sessions this week, but Canada have come away with a victory and now have only Japan in their way to a tournament sweep.
Tonga have nobody to blame but themselves for their indiscipline. On another day, and with a television match official, there might well have been multiple red cards instead of only one. For such a talented side to resort to such stupidity borders on criminal. Nili Latu is a fine player but his captaincy will have to improve if his side are to restore some pride to their damaged reputations.
SCORING
Canada – J. Pritchard 3c 4p 1t, C. Hearn 1p, M. Evans 1t, S. Duke 1t
Tonga – K. Morath 1c 1p, V. Hakalo 1c, E. Kauhenga 1t, V. Iongi 1t, F. Vainikolo 1t, V. Helu 1t
CARDS
Canada – T. Ardron yellow
Tonga – E. Aholelei red, S. Piukala yellow, T. Halaifonua yellow
CANADA
J. Pritchard; S. Duke, C. Hearn (L. Underwood 74), N. Blevins, M. Evans (P. Parfrey 56); N. Hirayama, S. White (P. Mack 64); H. Buydens (T. Dolezel 60), R. Barkwill (R. Hamilton HT), J. Marshall (D. Wooldridge 56); B. Beukeboom, T. Hotson (T. Ardron 64); J. Sinclair, J. Moonlight, A. Carpenter (capt.) (N. Dala 68).
TONGA
V. Hakalo; F. Vainikolo, S. Piutau, S. Piukala (V. Iongi 60), V. Helu; K. Morath (T. Halaifonua 53), T. Moa (T. Palu 49); E. Aholelei, I. Ma’asi (E. Taione 49), T. Vea (S. Puafisi 60); L. Lokotui, E. Kauhenga (J. Afu 49); H. T-Pole (P. Kaho 60), N. Latu (capt.), V. Fihaki (K. Sakalia 36).
ARGENTINA 3 vs 32 ENGLAND
Saturday, June 8, 19:10 GMT, Salta
It was one-way traffic for the first forty minutes as England put a woeful Argentina side to the sword with their wide attacking game and strong defense. Ben Morgan ran roughshod through half-hearted defenders and Billy Twelvetrees commanded the midfield with passing and running alike. Were it not for a couple ordinary passes the score might have been even greater than the 25-3 up on the board at the break.
In the second half it seemed as though England felt sympathetic to the Pumas as they kicked away nearly all possession and took several penalties, but Argentina could do nothing with the ball. Rarely has a Puma scrum retreated in such a fashion as it did, and the lineout was woeful at best. With no clean set piece ball to speak of and a predictably ponderous back row, Argentina were simply never in the game. Billy Vunipola’s casual stroll over the line on the last play of the game seemed to sum it up all at once. Eyebrows will be raised if there aren’t wholesale changes by Santiago Phelan for next week’s rematch.
SCORING
Argentina – M. Bustos Moyano 1p
England – F. Burns 3c 2p, D. Strettle 1t, B. Twelvetrees 1t, B. Morgan 1t, B. Vunipola 1t
CARDS
England – C. Lawes yellow
ARGENTINA
M. Bustos Moyano; M. Orlando (B. Agulla 57), G. Tiesi, F. Contepomi (capt.), M. Montero; B. Urdapilleta (G. Ascarate 57), M. Landajo (N. Vergallo 68); P. Henn (G. Roan 51), M. Garcia Veiga (M. Guidone 55), M. Bustos (F. Gomez Kodela 66); E. Lozada (T. Vallejos 62), M. Galarza; J. Farias Cabello (T. de la Vega 71), B. Macome, T. Leonardi.
ENGLAND
M. Brown (B. Foden 72); C. Wade, J. Joseph (K. Eastmond 65), B. Twelvetrees, D. Strettle; F. Burns, L. Dickson (R. Wigglesworth 54); J. Marler (H. Thomas 74), R. Webber (D. Paice 68), D. Wilson (P. Doran-Jones 72); J. Launchbury, D. Attwood (C. Lawes 54); T. Wood (capt.), M. Kvesic, B. Morgan (B. Vunipola 68).
UNITED STATES 12 vs 15 IRELAND
Sunday, June 9, 02:30 GMT, Houston
As expected it was a fierce contest in the lone star state, as Ireland narrowly escaped with a 3 point victory. The Americans gave as good as they got and in many instances looked the better side, but it was Irish superiority in the scrum that ultimately proved the difference. David Kilcoyne, Richardt Strauss, and Mike Ross were too savvy for their opposites and coaxed several penalties from referee Francisco Pastrana.
Coach Mike Tolkin can be proud of his side, they played ambitious rugby and while inaccurate at times, it was refreshing to see the progress they have made in recent months. The returning professionals, especially Samu Manoa, made a big impact and the World Cup qualifiers against Canada now promise to be very hotly contested. Ireland lacked penetrative ball runners and might have to re-jig the lineup as they move on to face a confident Canadian side, winners of three on the trot.
SCORING
United States – C. Wyles 4p
Ireland – I. Madigan 5p
CARDS
United States – T. Clever yellow
UNITED STATES
C. Wyles; L. Hume (J. Paterson 66), S. Kelly, A. Suniula, T. Ngwenya; T. L’Estrange, M. Petri; S. Pittman, C. Biller, E. Fry; B. Doyle (P. Dahl 12-26), L. Stanfill; S. Manoa, S. LaValla, T. Clever (capt.).
IRELAND
R. Henshaw; F. McFadden, D. Cave, S. Olding, S. Zebo; I. Madigan, I. Boss (P. Marshall 72); D. Kilcoyne (T. Court 57), R. Strauss (M. Sherry 76), M. Ross (J. Hagan 53); M. McCarthy, D. Toner; I. Henderson, C. Henry (T. O’Donnell 51), P. O’Mahony (capt.).
