Rugby world Cup Week 2

Week 2 is done and dusted and What a week it was. In total there was 10 games over the week. 

Monday

First up was Wales opening game of the tournament against Georgia. Wales raced out to an early lead with tries from Jonathan Davies Justin Tipuric and Liam Williams.Dan Biggar kicked the conversions and a penalty to go into the changing rooms at half time with a lead of 29-0. The Second half started off better for Georgia with a try by Shalva Mamukashvili. The second saw both teams scoring 2 tries each. the final score was 43-14 to Wales.

Tuesday

Tuesday we watched Russia V Samoa. This was Russias best chance to get there first ever Rugby world cup win. It was a tuff ask as Samoa put out a strong team. Much like Russias first game v Japan they cam out strong and pushed the pace. Samoa hit first with a try from Alapati Leiua. Russia came back with 2 penalties from the boot of Yury Kushnarev and went into the second half leading 6-5. An early try in the second half by Afaesetiti Amosa was followed by a drop gaol by the Russian outhlaf. Samoa upped the pace again and ran away with the result after 4 tries with the score finishing up 9-34 to Samoa.

Wednesday

Wednesday saw the biggest upset in world rugby since Japan beat South Africa 4 years ago. it was Fiji V Uruguay. From the start of the game you knew you were watching one hell of a game as the two teams went at each other treading tries for the first 20 minutes with Uruguay coming out on top at half time with a 12-24 lead. Uruguay had to protect the line for most of the second half. Fiji fought hard and got 3 tries, one each from Api Ratuniyarawa and 2 from Nikola Matawalu. Uruguay did enough to keep Fiji from completing. This was not to be the only big upset of the week.

Thursday

Had two games England V USA and Italy V Canada. These games with the way you would think Italy beating Canada 48-7. England ran out convincing winners. England ran in 6 tries. 

Saturday

It was a full day again on Saturday with 3 games being played. First up was South Africa V Namibia. This game went the way you would think with South Africa winning 57-3.

Then came the second game hosts Japan V Ireland. Japan shocked Ireland by coming out 100 miles an hour. Ireland socked up the early pressure and played there game plan and opened there scoring with try by Garry Ringrose. Japan answered back with at penalty by You Tamura. Rob Kearney touched down with Jack Carty kicking the conversion. Japan upped the pressure and took the game to Ireland with a dogged defence by tackling the ball carrier with 2 and 3 men every time.

I Ireland also turned down the opportunity of points opting for line outs and scrums instead. The score at half time was 9-12 to Ireland. The second half saw Japan come out and up the tempo again. This lead to a try from Kenki Fukuokaand the conversion from You Tamura. Ireland went cashing the game and as the time ran down some handling errors and easy turnovers and great defence by japan Ireland couldn’t break the line. Japan won the game what the scored a try in the 71st minute. Japan nearly scored again in the dying minutes from a interception. In the end Ireland Kicked the ball out to end the game and keep a losing bounce point.

Some people taught it was the wrong decision but they were on there own try line and the way the game went you know Japan were not going to let the go the full length of the pitch to score. I think it was the right think to do.

Some Scenes from after the final whistle.

The Final game of Saturday was Argentina  V Tonga. The first half was all Argentina. The first half finished 28-7 to Argentina. The Argentina took the foot of the pedal a little and Tonga started to enjoy more time with the ball. The second half saw Tonga keep Argentina scoreless and Tongan score a try. It ended 28-12 to Argentina.

Sunday

The first Sunday game seen Wales back in action this time against Australia. This was the game of the tournament so fare. with Wales racing into a 10-0 lead in the first 15 minutes Australia pulled it back to 10-8 thanks to a try from Adam Ashley-Cooper and a penalty by Bernard Foley. Wales then pulled away to 26-8 just after half time. Australia then pulled it back again with 2 converted tries and a penalty to leave it 26-25 with 13 minutes to go. Wales hug in there and put some light between the two teams with a penalty from Rhys Patchell. the final score was 29-26 to Wales .

The last game on Sunday was Georgia V Uruguay . Uruguay were looking to build on there recent win over Fiji. Georgia proved to strong beating Uruguay 33-7.         

Video supplied by Neil Donaghy