Big wins for New Zealand and South Africa as the Rugby Championship got off to a flying start, and Canada all but secured their World Cup spot against the Eagles.

AUSTRALIA 29 vs 47 NEW ZEALAND
Saturday, August 17, 10:05 GMT, Sydney

A fine start to the tournament saw an exciting display of running rugby from both sides, but the New Zealand were clearly the superior side as their experience overwhelmed the young Wallabies. Ben Smith scored a hat trick to go with singles each for outstanding trio Richie McCaw, Conrad Smith, and Aaron Cruden. McCaw showed little signs of ring rust as he was a constant presence at the breakdown, and his 20th test try makes him the first All Black forward to score 100 points.

Australia will take some positives from the match. Michael Hooper was prominent in attack and defense, Will Genia was close to his best after an average Lions series, and Rob Simmons continued his strong Super Rugby form. The less experienced players had some hiccups, and James O’Connor’s defensive naivety was exposed on more than one occasion. This group looks unlikely to challenge the top of the table, but if they can shore up their defense and minimise their mistakes they can still make a decent fist of it.

SCORING
Australia – C. Leali’ifano 2c 5p, W. Genia 1t, J. O’Connor 1t
New Zealand – A. Cruden 3c 3p 1t, B. Barrett 1c, B. Smith 3t, R. McCaw 1t, C. Smith 1t

CARDS
New Zealand – S. Whitelock yellow (79)

AUSTRALIA
J. Mogg (T. Kuridrani 53); I. Folau, A. Ashley-Cooper, C. Leali’ifano, J. O’Connor; M. To’omua (Q. Cooper 61), W. Genia (N. White 77); J. Slipper (S. Sio 71), S. Moore (S. Fainga’a 71), B. Alexander (S. Kepu 57); R. Simmons, J. Horwill (capt.); H. McMeniman (L. Gill 53), M. Hooper (S. Fardy 61-66), B. Mowen (S. Fardy 77).

NEW ZEALAND
I. Dagg; B. Smith, C. Smith, M. Nonu (R. Crotty 63), J. Savea; A. Cruden (B. Barrett 71), A. Smith (T. Kerr-Barlow 69); T. Woodcock (B. Franks 61), A. Hore (K. Mealamu 49), O. Franks (C. Faumuina 61); L. Romano (B. Retallick 17), S. Whitelock; S. Luatua, R. McCaw (capt.) (S. Cane 73), K. Read.

SOUTH AFRICA 73 vs 13 ARGENTINA
Saturday, August 17, 15:00 GMT, Johannesburg

Well what can you say after a match like that. Eight different players touched down as the Springboks absolutely obliterated the Pumas in an awesome display of power rugby. The big South African forwards took it to their opponents and left no question as to which pack was more dominant. The driving maul was oiled to perfection and contributed three tries and countless metres gained.

It’s hard to see what Santiago Phelan can take out of such a comprehensive defeat. His side were competing at the start but when they lost their best forward Patricio Albacete to injury after only thirteen minutes, the wheels came off quickly. Ill discipline, hapless tackling, and poor decision making riddled an awful team performance and the Pumas will have to completely regroup if they are to avoid more embarrassment in a week’s time.

SCORING
South Africa – M. Steyn 8c 4p, J.J. Engelbrecht 1t, A. Strauss 1t, W. Alberts 1t, J. de Villiers 1t, F. du Preez 1t, B. Habana 1t, D. Vermeulen 1t, B. du Plessis 1t, Pen try
Argentina – F. Contepomi 1c 2p 1t

CARDS
Argentina – E. Guinazu yellow (30), L. Senatore (50)

SOUTH AFRICA
W. le Roux (P. Lambie 59); B. Habana, J.J. Engelbrecht, J. de Villiers (capt.) (J. Serfontein 68), B. Basson; M. Steyn, R. Pienaar (F. du Preez 55); T. Mtawarira (G. Steenkamp 57), A. Strauss (B. du Plessis 55), J. du Plessis (C. Oosthuizen 55); E. Etzebeth, J. Kruger (F. van der Merwe 57); F. Louw, W. Alberts (S. Kolisi 65), D. Vermeulen.

ARGENTINA
J.M. Hernandez (H. Agulla 31); G. Camacho, M. Bosch, F. Contepomi (capt.), J. Imhoff (A. Creevy 35-41); N. Sanchez, M. Landajo (T. Cubelli 59); J. Figallo (J.P. Orlandi 61), E. Guinazu (A. Creevy 57), M. Diaz (N. Lobo HT); M. Carizza (M. Galarza 57), P. Albacete (J. Farias Cabello 13); P. Matera, J.M. Leguizamon, L. Senatore.

UNITED STATES 9 vs 27 CANADA
Saturday, August 17, 22:30 GMT, Charleston

It was a very productive day at the office for the Canadians who now take an 18 point lead into the deciding match in Toronto next week. Phil Mack scored a brilliant individual try less than a minute into the match, and from there on it was all uphill for the Americans. In truth, the Eagles are perhaps lucky it wasn’t more as a second Mack try was called back by a debateable obstruction call from the TMO, and the Canucks were far from clinical in their execution.

Mike Tolkin’s assessment that his side failed to control field position was accurate, but one wonders what the game plan was as his side looked mostly clueless with ball in hand and disorganized at best on defense. Todd Clever’s frustration once again spilled into his referee management, and the leadership of both he and Tolkin must come into question. With no immediate reinforcements available for the Eagles, it’s hard to see how anything short of a miracle will keep them from a trip to Uruguay in November.

SCORING
Canada – J. Pritchard 3c 2p, P. Mack 1t, H. Jones 1t, D.T.H. van der Merwe 1t
United States – C. Wyles 3p

UNITED STATES
C. Wyles; T. Ngwenya, S. Kelly (R. Suniula 25), A. Suniula, B. Scully; T. L’Estrange (F. Niua 67), M. Petri (R. Shaw 70); S. Pittman (T. Lamositele 70), C. Biller (Z. Fenoglio 70), E. Fry (P. Thiel 65); L. Stanfill (C. Dolan 70), S. Manoa; S. LaValla, P. Dahl (B. Doyle 37), T. Clever (capt.).

CANADA
J. Pritchard; M. Evans (P. Mackenzie 65), C. Hearn, N. Blevins, D.T.H. van der Merwe; H. Jones (N. Hirayama 67), P. Mack (S. White 75); A. Tiedemann (T. Dolezel 58), R. Hamilton (R. Barkwill HT), J. Marshall (D. Wooldridge 70); J. Sinclair, J. Cudmore (T. Hotson HT); T. Ardron, J. Moonlight, A. Carpenter (capt.) (N. Dala 65).