RWC Day 3: Boks Nick Dragons In Thriller; Aussies Prevail; Clever US Take Pride In Defeat

Day 3. A later alarm call, thank God! Still, I wanted to watch all 3 games, so I dragged the body from its Chenin Blanc induced slumber. I was looking forward to the three games as they all held a little intrigue. South Africa v Wales is arguably the game of the first weekend. Ireland taking on former coach Eddie O'Sullivan's USA was interesting for that reason alone, and Australia's fans had been the most vociferous after England's struggles of yesterday, so watching their bow against Italy held its own appeal to me. 

That was first up, so coffee cup in hand, I turned on the TV apprehensively to see who I would be listening to droning on today. I'm still struggling to understand what ITV do when selecting commentators. Do they do screen tests? They can't do given what's gone before. Gomarsall is bearable, Hastings better but nothing special and the less said about Phil Vickery the better. My final comment for today is this. This is the pinnacle of the Rugby World. It has the best players in the world, being officiated by the best referees in the world (and Jonathan Kaplan). Surely ITV can do better than the current inanity in the Comm Box. 

Today, as there are just the three games to analyse, I will give my brief thought on each team seen so far, and throw in a team of the weekend for you as well. I'm nothing if I'm not thorough! Needless to say, the English will be conspicuous by their absence in that team.

Australia vs Italy

The Wallabies had picked an almost full strength side for the Italians, with O'Connor still out of favour, no doubt wanting to emphasise the fantastic way in which they finished the Tri Nations. Resplendent in their canary yellow, they gave their all in the National Anthem, but came off a distant second to Fratelli D'Italia - but then, who wouldn't? I've felt the hairs stand on end during National Anthems three times: God Save The Queen before the 2007 Final, Land of my Fathers under the Cardiff roof before the opening game in 1999 and Rome this year before Italy vs France. It's no coincidence to me that Italy usually start at a cracking pace....

The early Australian ball was wasted by poor passes from Quade Cooper, who missed with a first penalty attempt and who struggled to settle with ball in hand, though he reacted and covered superbly to touch down an Italian kick through in the nick of time and this appeared to settle him. Italy gained momentum with a couple of penalties, but great defensive work under his posts from David Pocock snuffed out the danger as Italy started to slightly take the upper hand, though really the rhythm of the game was fractious, too many penalties from both sides not allowing any phases to be built. On 15, Italy turned over ball on half way, took contact and Australia conceded a penalty, compounded by backchat to referee Rolland which took the Italians within Bergamasco's range. Well it should have been, but the achilles heel of Italy in recent years, the goalkicker, came back to bite as, not only was the kick short, but Ghiraldini clobbered Cooper as he cleared resulting in a kickable penalty to the Aussies. Cooper made no mistake this time, and the first 3 points went to the Aussies after 19 minutes. 

Australia's influential middle 5 (Elsom, Pocock, Samo, Genia, Cooper) were starting to take the upper hand as you would expect. Repeated close work eventually saw the ball thrown wide, where Beale's kick for Ashley-Cooper was well defended by Bergamasco. As the half went on, the Australians started to really take control. Italy could have given away 3 penalties under their post for fringing round the edges of the ruck, and Cooper made them pay with a second successful kick (seemingly unaffected by the whistles and boos from the crowd). Pocock in particular was showing how on form he is the best number 7 in the world, and if Australia could sort out the breakdown, where Italy had some success in spoiling the quality of Australian ball, this would have been more of a one-sided contest. Castrogiavanni and Lo Cicero were also getting a nudge on in the scrum. In the loose though it was a different story, and once Pocock won more ball from the Italians, Cooper showed his quality, before being pinged after obstruction. With the exception of Pocock though, the Australians were sloppy at the breakdown, and a penalty on the 10 metre line saw Bergamasco make no mistake and pull the Italians back to a 6-3 deficit, and as the half came to a close, with the Australians seemingly pressing to extend that lead, another lost ball followed by more indiscipline at the breakdown after a kick through by Semenzato, saw Bergamasco equalise on the stroke of half-time from under the posts. Half Time: Australia 6 Italy 6

Italy's lack of a world class fly half was hurting them really. All the good work done up front is wasted by poor-decision making, and unfortunately this had hurt Italy in the first half. If that was the Azzurri issue, the Australians were suffering slightly further out, were in attack, their centres continued to struggle at the start of the second half. So much so that James O'Connor was called into action after a mere 6 minutes of the second half, which had still been enough time for Faingaa to make two more errors. The introduction of O'Connor (coincidentally?) coincided with the waking of the Australians, and their best passage of play following a steal by Vickerman, saw Cooper, Beale and Samo heavily involved before Ben Alexander went over from short range. O'Connor took over the kicking duties, but failed to convert leaving the score at 11-6. Brave though Italy had been thus far, I sensed a slight drop of heads when the try was scored. Despite the probing of Semenzato's box kicks, they couldn't regain a footing, and the Wallabies seemingly crossed the gain line at will, and when Cooper fed Ashley-Cooper, who went over untouched, it appeared the floodgates could open. O'Connor couldn't miss the extras from beneath the sticks, and 18-6 meant game over. The question that remained now was 'How many?' 

Indeed a basic error from Masi led to some Aussie showboating, but when Cooper passed inside to O'Connor, the third try of the second half came. All since the entry of the pacy and incisive O'Connor. 25-6 in the blink of an eye. Italy were still bossing the scrum though, as Australia showed their perennial weakness still existed (no Andre Watson to save them any more....). When they got the ball away quickly though, as with Samo's one handed flick, it was a different matter, and another inside ball from Cooper, this time to Ioane at pace, saw the 4th try, converted again, and the bonus point. The Aussies looked dangerous every time they got the ball now, but Cooper pushed one pass too many, and Parisse intercepted, before Bergamasco didn't release in the tackle when the Aussie line beckoned. A deserved try went begging and Australia, through Cooper, cleared to midfield.

Italy once more came close to scoring their deserved try as Parisse went for the pushover, only to lose control at the last minute. Higginbotham appeared not to be bound to the scrum, and I thought Parisse's complaints were justified, but Rolland waved them away, and the Wallabies cleared. 

Full Time Australia 32 Italy 6

Italy battled well, but after a relatively uninspired first half, the introduction of O'Connor seemed to stir life into Australia (a little like the arrival of Youngs did with england the day before). A front row weakness is there though, and their scrum will come under serious pressure against better sides, but a more than acceptable entry into the competition from the Australians.


Ireland vs USA
To New Plymouth, where Ireland took on the USA on the 10th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. After an impeccable minute's silence Sexton had a chance to set Ireland on the right track with an early penalty, but the conditions proved to be too much. Ireland's forward togetherness, in early scrums and mauls, sent the USA backwards at ridiculous speed and when the option was taken to kick to the corner rather than for posts,  dominant though the forwards were, the USA defended well out wide to snuff out the early danger. The rain wasn't making things easy, for handling or underfoot, and Sexton pushed a second kick, from the 10 metre line admittedly but in front of the posts, and the USA survived. Bowe knocked on 3 times in 2 seconds (no exaggeration I promise) and the game was in danger of becoming messy, but Sexton finally succeeded with his third penalty, the easiest thus far, and Ireland's nerves were calmed.

The US in turn missed a kick at goal, but a scrappy game saw both sides struggle to gain any semblance of foothold on a very slippery surface. Ireland's pack clearly had the beating of their opposite numbers, but as soon as the ball reached the hands of Murray at 9, there was no pace on the ball as a safety first modus operandi needed to be adopted (Latin at 0728am - blimey). Murray, it must be said, was trying a little TOO hard for my liking. His kicks seemed designed to land on a sixpence, but it wasn't a day for that. He should have been boxkicking with snow on the ball, making reception as difficult as possible. The over-confidence that must come with such a quick promotion through the ranks maybe? Reddan or Boss would have been a much more appropriate choice I feel. 

O'Driscoll's dancing feet created space, but an attempted switch between D'Arcy and Bowe, slightly too intricate for the conditions, saw the chance go begging as Bowe knocked on for the 4th time. The weather truly spoiled the game as a spectacle in the first half, but the US adapted better if anything, realising that the wet was their friend, and defending like dervishes. On the point of half time though, Bowe finally held on to the ball, and slipped through the gap as easily as the ball had been slipping through his hand till then, and went in next to the posts. Sexton converted, and that was that. Half Time: Ireland 10 USA 0

The USA just couldn't deal with the Irish scrum, and a 42nd minute penalty, in an eminently kickable position, saw Sexton waste yet another opportunity. Some great kickers have struggled in this World Cup and Sexton proved his radar really was off when he hooked another kick wide on 44. Murray continued to have a torrid time at scrum half. Much of Ireland's play, it must be said, was as aimless as Sexton's kicking, and the arrival of Reddan and O'Gara on 50 minutes was probably ten minutes overdue. A sustained period of USA possession, much of it in the Ireland 22, saw them at last get on the board with a Patterson penalty. There was immediate hesitancy from the restart though, and Ireland earned a line out 10 yards out. Indeed, from the line-out, the Irish played to their strengths, and to the only likely strengths on a day such as this, keeping it tight for Best to break on the narrow side and over for the try in the corner. O'Gara continued the wayward kicking though, and Ireland led 15-3.

Ireland had found impetus, and Ferris who had been the best Irish player, cleaned up before O'Driscoll found a trademark raking touch deep in the US half. When the US messed up the line-out, the ball was shipped wide to O'Driscoll, who seemed to have woken up with the arrival of O'Gara, and Bowe slid in for his second and Ireland's third, try. For once, the conversion followed, and the feeling was that the tiring Americans, who had fought incredibly, may suffer in the last 20, especially with replacements of the quality of Flannery and Leamy sauntering on. How wrong feelings have proved to be thise weekend though. 

O'Gara prodded with his boot, turning the US defence time and again, and Ireland looked a different team, but ultimately still remained toothless. With 8 minutes remaining, they opted for a kick to touch in search of the 4th try. A rolling maul led to some professional spoiling tactics from the US, and tensions spilled over to a little bit of handbags. Ireland scrummaged in search of a pushover. The US collapsed the first and were penalised. It started to become a question of would the Irish push the US over or would Mr Joubert take matters into his own hands, but 'clever' work from the US captain (can you guess his name?) saw them spoil and clear. As the Irish searched for the try, O'Driscoll threw a poor pass and Emerick intercepted and went under the posts to bring an air of deserved respectability to the score. 

Full Time: Ireland 22 USA 10

A patchy performance from a disjointed Ireland. Yes the conditions didn't help. Yes, the USA executed a pretty shrewd gameplan. But there were too many errors and too many stars were completely anonymous. I frequently had to check whether O'Driscoll and Heaslip were actually on the pitch. The half backs selected were both poor, and there are probably more questions than answers for Declan Kidney after this game. Ferris was undoubtedly the best Irishman on the pitch. Still, as any Englishman, Frenchman or Scotsman will tell you after yesterday, a win is a win. Ireland move on, uncertainly, and the USA will look to a quick recovery and their 'Cup Final' against the fresh Russians on Thursday. 

South Africa vs Wales

The most experienced World Cup side ever, the reigning champions South Africa with 815 caps between them, took the field for Game 8 of the World Cup against Wales in New Zealand's capital. Wales much younger and quicker, South Africa the bruisers of World Rugby. In an enterprising start, both centres barreled across the gain line, Smit and Roussouw did similar, and when the ball went wide, Francois Steyn powered over the diminutive Shane Williams. Not the start Wales wanted, and the Springboks were off and running. Morne Steyn showed those who had struggled how to kick from the 'wrong' touchline and a 7 point start for the Boks, catastrophe for the Welsh.

Wales didn't panic though, and with ball in hand looked solid if somewhat less dangerous than their opponents. A heavy tackle on Williams, who accentuated it by jumping into it, was followed by Spies diving in at the breakdown, and Hook split the posts with the penalty to make it 7-3 in an enterprising and promising start to the game. Wales would have been forgiven for being shell-shocked but far from it, they remained assured and a high tackle in the Springbok 22 let Hook make it 7-6. It appeared to me that he had, but the flags stayed down and it stayed 7-3. Hook clearly taking lessons from Messrs Wilkinson, Contepomi, Rodriguez and Sexton.

Francois Steyn boomed a free kick from within his 22 to the other end of the field, but Wales still stayed calm allowing Phillips to clear, not to touch though, and from the run back, Lydiate conceded a penalty for offside, and Morne Steyn made it 10-3. 20 minutes gone at this point, and Francois Steyn hadn't tried a drop goal from his own 22 yet; restraint indeed. Wales had much more of the ball and territory in the opening quarter, but rarely looked like breaking through. De Villiers was an early casualty for the Boks, replaced by the wonderfully christened Butch James. Wales continued to hold the ball well, and construct phases, but it was a rather 'nice' performance. By that I mean there was little menace in their breaks. A second Hook penalty, this time undoubtedly through the middle of the uprights, brought Wales to within 4 points. At this stage possibly a fair reflection of what had gone before. 

Schalk Burger, wearing 7 as only South African blindside flankers do, was getting through a lot of work, but since their early try, their attack had been equally as insipid as the Welsh, with defences well and truly on top. Steyn and Priestland exchanged bad drop goal misses and the half was reached with no addition to the score. A bit of a 'watched pot' of a first half, in that it simmered throughout, but never quite reached boiling point. Wales needed to find some offensive steel if they were going to turn it round. Half Time: South Africa 10 Wales 6

You would think Messrs Gatland and De Villiers would have preached the need for more intensity in the second half, but the Springboks early possessions were as anodine as their post second minute efforts in the first half. Warburton snaffling an early turnover, which saw them show true menace until Faletau knocked on in the South African 22. Waburton has had a massive influence in a Wales jersey in a relatively short time. I'm tempted to suggest that for Welsh rugby, he's the best thing since sliced bread, but that would be too corny ever for me....

Worryingly for the Boks, Matfield limped off in those early moments, adding to the serious injury to Bakkies Botha, a dangerous gap looks to be appearing in the middle of the scrum and line-out. Both sides wated promising positions early in the second half with brainless penalties for diving over the top. The Dragons were certainly more fiery though and from a 5 metre line-out, they recycled time and again and sucked the South Africans backs offside in an unmissable position under the sticks. Hook could have made it 10-9 in his sleep and duly did. South Africa looked disinterested at this point, and had Lydiate not knocked on, they would have been under enormous pressure in their 22 yet again.

Warburton was leading by example, outmuscling Broussow at the breakdown on almost every occasion and Wales finally showed their teeth as Faletau dived over through an absent South African defence to give them a deserved lead, which was stretched by 2 point when Hook converted. 16-10 Wales after 55 minutes, and South Africa in trouble. Turnovers were killing the World Champions, and all were coming from the outstanding Warburton. A rampant Wales nearly put another nail in the coffin, but a Roberts knock-on spoiled the next ferocious attack inspired by Faletau. 

De Villiers reacted by removing the ineffective Smit. 1 World Cup too far for the 2007 Champion captain, but du Plessis had an enormous task to turn round the fortunes in 22 minutes. The midfield trio of Priestland, Davies and Roberts continued to cut through the defence almost at will, and with a little more composure they could have killed off the game on a couple of different occasions in the 3rd quarter of the game. 

Du Plessis did more in his first 5 minutes than Smit had done in 55. Forwards regained their intensity and the Boks looked ready to strike back. Lydiate came in at the side to give away a dangerous penalty and Morne Steyn put the ball in the corner. The crowd held its breath. The rolling maul broke up, Hougaard almost went clear, but Spies and Du Plessis to the fore recycled, and Hougaard was fed by Du Preez and went over Ashton-like under the sticks. Steyn made it 17-16. Game well and truly on.

Storm ridden? It should have been, but there was an air of complacency about much that the South Africans did, and a scrambled clearance led to more pressure down the right. Priestland was in the perfect place to retake the lead for the Welsh, but a drop goal from between the sticks, and inside the 22 at that, went horribly wide. Wales still pressed, and helped by the Springboks (errant kicking, poor chasing, missed tackles, awful decision-making) they got a chance with a penalty just outside the 22 and wide on the right. Hook pushed it badly tough, and the lead remained at 1 point. Wales probed through Phillips and Warburton again, but as they looked to be pushing towards drop goal range once more, a lapse in concentration led to a turnover and South Africa sighed with relief. 

Into the last 5 and still anyone's game. Alberts and Du Plessis had transformed the pack, and disciplined ball retention from the greens saw them take 3 minutes off the clock with ease. They picked and went from the base time after time, ekeing out the seconds until a 79th minute knock-on in the Welsh 22 gave them one last chance. By the time the scrum was set there were a little more than 20 seconds to go. Priestland darted, as did Phillips. Du Plessis (yes he again) snaffled it, and Du Preez cleared. South Africa held on to win a great game. 

Full Time: South Africa 17 Wales 16

For England vs Argentina read South Africa vs Wales. A brave performance ending in an undeserved defeat. 2 tries to one for the South Africans though at the end of the day, and when the chips were down, they had the men to do get the job done. If Du Plessis doesn't usurp Smit now, then De Villiers is clearly madder than we even thought. Alberts had a huge impact, and Hougaard provided the pace and intelligent angle to win the game with the 2nd try. 

For Wales, plenty of positives. Priestland (awful missed drop aside) performed well at 10, and Roberts and Davies were far and above their opposite numbers in the centre. The outstanding man though, both of the game and the first 8 matches, was Warburton. He turned ball over time and again, led from the front and took Wales to the brink of a famous victory.

Hard on Wales, but they will enter the remaining tricky pool games with confidence.

And Finally...

As promised, here's my considered view of the first 8 games. I had a New Zealand vs Australia Final before the tournament, and I see absolutely no reason to change that view after what we saw this weekend. Both sides had good run outs and proved they are capable of taking a game away from a side, and not the weakest sides by any means) with 20 minutes of rugby. My two losing semi finalists, England and South Africa, both showed why they cannot beat Australia or New Zealand at the moment. Both short of a little inspiration, both on and off the pitch. France, ireland and Scotland I had in the Quarter Finals, and again, I'm not changing that opinion. 

Argentina will feel they can beat the Scots, and Italy may feel they can beat Ireland, but France are cast-iron certainties to finish second in their group, and I don't see them having the nous to knock out England. If Scotland do get to the Quarters, I obviously don't see them troubling New Zealand, and Ireland will have to improve enormously if they are to beat South Africa. Wales glorious defeat by a point earlier today could well have cost them more than a game and a morale boost. It could have cost them a semi final spot. Winning the pool, and avoiding the Australians, could well have gone from their grasp today, and as such they will need to beat the Tri Nations champs in the quarters to proceed. Again, I can't see that, no matter how well they played today.

Basically then, you will see no change whatsoever in any of my pre-tournament predictions.

No complete thrashings is encouraging for the future of the Rugby World Cup. There have been some embarrassments in the past, and there is still time for that to be the case in 2011, but the All Blacks 31 point win over Tonga is the biggest margin so far. Early tournament nerves for the big boys? Slightly weaker teams fielded against the minnows? Genuine progress by the smaller teams? Combination of all 3? Can only be a good thing though....

Stats: Early statistical leaders are Vereniki Goneva (FIJ) - 4 tries and James Arlidge (JAP) - 21 points

Ref-watch: Excellent discipline saw just the one yellow card issued (Dan Coles of England). Referees were fussy about offside, tacklers rolling away and releasing the ball on the ground. Something needs doing about these last two though, as it is a difficult one to call, and there is still a lot of kidology going on on the floor. 

Off-beat moments: A streaker during the England vs Argentina game, Chris Paterson's conversion attempt which never got more than a foot off the ground. England.

Things you never thought you'd see: Jonny Wilkinson kick success rate 37.5%

Potentially controversial moment: James Hook's penalty which went over the post and wasn't given in a game decided by a single point.

Minnows of the round: Spoilt for choice! Japan gave France a game, Namibia showed well against Fiji, the USA battled doggedly against Ireland, but Romania take the award for being 5 minutes from the most unlikely draw (OK they have only ever been 2) in World Cup history.

Team of the Tournament (so far):

Pointless exercise maybe, but here goes. No reasons given, if you want to know why, write and ask me!

1. Rodrigo Roncero (ARG) - 2. Marius Tincu (ROM) - 3. Owen Franks (NZL)

4. Leona Nakarawa (FIJ) - 5. Hayden Smith (USA)

6. Rocky Elsom (AUS) - 8. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (ARG) - 7. Sam Warburton (WAL)

9. Ben Youngs (ENG) - 10. James Arlidge (JAP)

12. Sonny Bill Williams (NZL) - 13. James O'Connor (AUS)

11. Richard Kahui (NZL) - 15. Israel Dagg (NZL) - 14. Vereniki Goneva (FIJ)

4 New Zealanders, 2 Australians, 2 Fijians, 2 Argentinians, 1 each from Wales, USA, England, Japan and Romania. A fair mix.

I'll probably be back on Wednesday now, to give you brief thoughts on Scotland vs Georgia, Samoa vs Namibia and Tonga vs Canada

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