RWC 9: Irish Party Starts As Aussies Vanquished

Australia vs Ireland

St Patrick famously drove the snakes out of Ireland, and maybe now his men have driven the Wallabies out of serious World Cup contention.

As the anthems played out, I got a vague impression that the Irish seemed a little less up for this than the Australians; how wrong could I have been? It would be easy to be apprehensive in an Irishman's shoes, as 1 win in the last 5 games, against a relatively weak USA is not the sort of preparation you want for a game against a side who had clinically disposed of Italy and blasted away New Zealand in their last 2 games.

In a frantic opening, both sides looked to attack, but Australia had the first chance with an O'Connor penalty bizarrely awarded in my eyes. A Cooper knock-on saw an Irish advantage, and in the follow-up, Beale almost had his head taken off by Kearney. Undoubtedly a high shot, but surely advantage was being played, and the scrum should have been given and a word had with Kearney? No matter, O'Connor pulled it and it remained 0-0, but Australia looked very threatening. When the Irish scrum slipped its binding a few minutes later, referee Lawrence, who fills me with almost as much dread as Mr Kaplan (see previous reports) awarded a penalty and O'Connor made no mistake from slightly to the right of the posts. 3-0 to the rampant Aussies.

Virtually from the kick-off though, Horwill was penalised for holding on, and from the 10 metre line Sexton should have equalised, but pushed the kick and the chance was wasted. It spurred Ireland into life though and O'Driscoll broke through, only for Sexton to kick the ball away with a wrong option. Sexton seems to be doing his best to let O'Gara back in, but given a reprieve by Samo and Elsom's offside (take your pick on which one) he made no mistake with his second kick, and the game was tied up again.

Ireland were rejuvenated, and pummeled away at the Australian defence, mainly through the front 5, and when Australia killed the ball, the advantage was pending as Sexton drove a drop goal through the sticks to give Ireland the lead and a massive boost. Australia responded in kind though, and after a clever kick through by Beale, only the scavenging O'Brien saved the day, and once tidied, O'Driscoll cleared to touch from acting scrum half (is there anything he can't do?)

Australia, particularly Beale, looked dangerous though, and first D'Arcy, then O'Brien gave penalties away for offside, allowing O'Connor an easy chance to equalise once more; a chance he readily took. Ireland looked mentally stronger than in recent games, but Italy had held Australia in the first half last weekend before capitulating as the Australians sparked. Discipline failed the greens again shortly afterwards, and from slightly further out this time, O'Connor took aim but missed three more points to give the Australians the lead again.

On 31 minutes, an Irish scrum in good position was deemed to have been collapsed by the Australians. If you ask me, Mr Lawrence was evening up the score from the earlier decision underneath the Irish sticks. Little matter, as another scuffed kick from Sexton, who really does struggle with this ball, let the Aussies of the hook. O'Gara could undo another button on his tracksuit in preparation. Lawrence continued to make dreadful decisions. Having got in the way of Redden himself, the then somehow adjudged that Horwill was onside. Appalling doesn't go even halfway to describing his performance in the first half. Let's not forget also that in his first game, England vs Argentina, he baffled with his inconsistency and angered both sides. 

As half-time approached, Ireland got a nudge on in an Australian scrum, and as Genia picked up, he was enveloped by Ferris and O'Brien and driven back into the 22 where the Irish gained a scrum. A drop goal surely for Sexton... but no, Earls took the ball in-field, and he is neither strong enough nor quick-footed enough at this level for my money, and he was wrapped up neatly by the Aussies, before Ferris knocked on to end the half. Half-time: Australia 6 Ireland 6

O'Connell and his Irish pack were immense in the first half, and with the half backs of three or four years ago at the helm, they would have been 6 or 9 points clear. Nothing Kidney can do about that, but O'Gara will be critical to any chance of an Irish victory in this second half.

Having turned round at half time with the scoreboard showing the same score as during their first game against Italy, Australia would be looking for a similarly dominant second half performance as were they to slip up, they would be headed for a Tri Nations packed route to the Final, while Ireland would just be encouraged to have finally produced the rugby we know they are capable of, and would be hoping for more of the same.

Beale looked dangerous almost instantly, and scrambled Irish defence snuffed out the problem. Lawrence again mystified with an interpretation of the offside rule allowing Cooper to get involved when he shouldn't. Reddan was at his most alert to dive on a couple of loose balls in these early stages, and O'Brien added so much that had clearly been missing in his absence. Finally a sensible kick turned the Aussie defence, but Bowe switched off and Australia's quick line-out cleared the danger, before Kearney returned it with interest.

The next score looked to be crucial, and both sides were looking to play the territory game now, with D'Arcy and Cooper both turning the defence with clever kicks. Australian discipline was waning, and first Vickerman tackled a maul and then his second row partner Horwill went round the side at a ruck, and Ireland had the chance to take the lead for the second time. Sexton made no mistake, and the greens led 9-6, deservedly so.

O'Gara replaced D'Arcy leading to a re-shuffle, and his first touch was a great touch find from his 22 after an Australian kick through. Australia conceded yet another scrum penalty, as the Irish tight 5 continued to perform admirably, but Sexton could only hit the post and try as he might, O'Driscoll couldn't gather the rebound and the Wallabies breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly they burst into life for the first time, and after carries by Horwill, Cooper broke and forced the pass a little too much, sending it forward to the evident glee of every Irish man, woman and child in the crowd.

O'Connell had been his usual immense self, and his return to form could not have come at a better time. Healy was having his best game for Ireland too. Adventurously running the ball across their own line, Bowe's kick hit Cooper's feet and ricocheted left, right and centre before finding touch for an Irish line-out before which Irish replacement scrum half Conor Murray came on for the biggest 22 minutes of his life.

Australia couldn't live with the scrum and conceded a 4th penalty. O'Driscoll having gone off to be stitched up, O'Connell threw the ball to O'Gara, having finally lost patience with the errant boot of Sexton. O'Gara made no mistake, and Ireland stretched out to a worthy 12-6 lead, which prompted urgency from the Australians. Urgency can sometimes lead to panic, and it was borderline at times from the Wallabies, and when Genia gained an advantage through Kefu's obstruction (needless) of the tacklers, Ireland cleared their lines once more. 

O'Brien was having a massive second half, defensively and carrying the ball across the gain line time and time again. Sexton's up-and-under caused that panic I mentioned in the Australian defence, and only a pass right by O'Connell, when to the left a 5 on 1 overlap was forming, prevented the first try of the game. Australia survived with a defensive scrum. The scrum continued to struggle under severe pressure from the excellent (how many times must I say that) Irish pack and a 5th penalty at the scrum followed. I don't think you can underestimate the effect Healy had on this game, and the chance was there for O'Gara to send the Irish 2 scores clear and the Aussies into a huge mess. O'Gara made no mistake, and 15-6 adorned the scoreboard. What are you made of Australia?

Everything was going Ireland's way, but this was not luck, it was sheer hard work on their behalf that made things happen. The inspiration of Healy, O'Connell and O'Brien (good luck separating them for Man of the Match) was the key to this game. Australia weren't done though, and Ashley-Cooper broke before being hauled down, and Australia recycled and spread the ball wide, but a poor pass straight into touch from the thus far anonymous Faingaa extinguished another hope. Murray was snagged though when wanting too long to clear from the base of a wheeling scrum, and a perfect base for Australia to attack from resulted. Genia sniped with pace, and a stunning O'Brien tackle brought him down. Ireland slowed the ball down extremely well though and a scrum resulted. Court having entered, he was penalised for collapsing the scrum, but as Genoa and Cooper slung quick passes, Bowe intercepted and went the length of the field, falling just short of the line.Murray then thought he had scored, but a penalty to Australia ruled that out. 

Australia were deep in their 22 with a minute to play and 2 scores required. The unfancied Irish, in dreadful form, had turned the tables and won a match virtually no-one expected them to win. No tries, but frankly who cares. 

Full Time: Australia 6 Ireland 15

Ireland are now perfectly placed to progress while the Aussies are looking at 2nd place in the Pool. No-one could have predicted this given form entering this World Cup, but Ireland's immense effort saw them produce the performance of their lives. The party in Auckland will be long tonight, and I don't think there will be many Australians enjoying it. A Wallaby performance reminiscent of the 2007 Quarter Final against England, their front row simply couldn't cope with the pressure exerted by the Irish scrum. O'Brien added much needed pep to the back row and despite a shaky performance from Sexton, Ireland recover from the doubts of the post-USA analysis to a peak that only a win against a Top Nation can provide. 

Australia know that they have 2 games against minnows, in USA and Russia, to sort things out, but also that the chances of them winning the group, and avoiding South Africa in the Quarter FInals, are now out of their hands. We could now be heading for a Tri Nations half and a 6 Nations half of the draw. The favoured New Zealand vs Australia surely will not happen. 

Only one possible word.... Incredible.

RWC Day 9: World Champs Back On Track After Battering Abject Fiji

South Africa vs Fiji

Wellington, the Capital City of New Zealand in the South of the North Island, welcomed the reigning Champions and the side that gave them one hell of a scare 4 years ago on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Marseille. Never can the contrast have been more marked between these two sides. Fiji, carefree on the pitch, South Africa in turmoil off it. As the Fijians laid down the challenge in traditional style, I was left wondering what their ancestors would have thought of the yellow, green and white boots they were wearing! Stubborn De Villiers had stuck with his Captain Smit, leaving Bismarck du Plessis on the bench. Matfield's loss through injury was compensated by Bakkies Botha's return though.

Hands on the floor from Fiji gave Morne Steyn an early chance to calm nerves, which he wasted badly. It was Fiji, as you would expect, who provided the sparks in the early exchanges, with Nalaga to the fore in attack and defence; a crunching tackle on Du Preez and a strong run down the left showing what he can do. Brussow has a reputation at the breakdown bettered only by McCaw and Pocock, and he earned another penalty in midfield as Fiji's early momentum was stopped. Fiji were playing good rugby in these opening ten minutes, and sustained pressure was only snuffed out by good South African spoiling. When the knock-on came, after a ridiculous floated pass, the pressure was eased, and South Africa went up the middle, earning a penalty after a Spies burst. Francois Steyn, to boos from the crowd, stepped up and slammed a massive penalty from 56m through the posts with distance to spare to open the scoring.

After a knock-on by Fiji in the tackle, we were treated to the sight of 3 South Africans appealing for deliberate handball. This isn't football Boks, have a word. 

Fiji's achilles heel throughout their history has been giving away penalties, and they continued to do so in the first quarter. Both sides were looking dangerous with ball in hand though, and needed to be solid in defence. JP Pietersen strayed offside out wide, and Bai levelled the scores after 21 minutes. That would be as good as it got for the Fijians, as their performance dwindled from there on in.

Fiji promised again, and at times frantic defence kept them out, but as South Africa returned a wayward kick, Francois Steyn wasted an overlap. Fortunately for him, the Fijian defence was so stretched that Steenkamp battered his way over anyway. Morne Steyn this time added the extras, and South Africa had breathing space. As already mentioned, penalties were killing the Fijians and another one in the 22 saw MS (as I will now call him as I'm fed up of typing Morne and Francois every five minutes) was successful to make it 13-3.

Those who had the 33rd minute for FS's ridiculous long-range drop goal attempt would have won. Never above the height of the bar this one. Fiji shot themselves in the foot shortly after; a high ball was dealt with woefully allowing the South Africans to ship the ball wide. A doubt for me about a forward pass, but Lambie fed Fourie who snuck in in the corner. MS missed the conversion, but South Africa had opened a 15 point lead in the blink of an eye. He also missed a long range penalty, as Fiji completely switched off as half-time approached.

After a tricky start, where the Fijians promised to upset them, the Springboks had taken complete control and dominated all facets of play. The basis of that dominance was a good pack performance, but they were backed up by the backs, particularly Francois Steyn, who ran good lines at pace and wasted very little possession. One final penalty at the last ruck of the half, saw MS slot another 3 points and as Romain Poite sent the sides in to the dressing rooms, South African nerves had gone. Half-time South Africa 21 Fiji 3

FIji needed to show renewed effort at the start of the second half to even try to get back into this game, but things started badly as Fourie made a great break. Slightly isolated though, he allowed Fiji to turn the ball over and eventually hands on the floor by Schalk Burger gave Fiji a penalty and the chance to clear. There was very little early threat though from the Fijians as South Africa wrapped them up in contact. One of the few downsides for the South Africans was the performance of Smit, who had been anonymous in comparison to the other 14 men on his side. The shadow of Bismarck du Plessis looms ever larger...

Fiji's pack didn't have the strength to deal with their counterparts, and as a result, their dangerous backs got no decent ball, while their opposite numbers took the ball moving forward every time. Fourie broke again, Rossouw took the ball on, Brussow (God those two names are confusing) chipped ahead and FS went in in the corner before his namesake MS converted. South Africa' new centre partnership, forced on coach De Villiers through injury to Jean de Villiers, was looking as dangerous as any we have seen in the tournament. 

A 25 point deficit is rarely turned around at any level of rugby. Fiji weren't going to buck that trend. Their early promise disintegrated amid a plethora of penalties, a multitude of handling errors and a hat full of bad decisions. They rarely had the chance to stretch their legs with ball in hand and looked ever more disorganised. The game started to resemble the first match of the day now, with South Africa in total charge. MS went over for the 4th try and the bonus point, and he converted it too to make the score 35-3. 4 years ago, South Africa entered a tricky game in the Pool stage against England and obliterated them 36-0. Parallels could be drawn with this game.

From the kick-off though, Fiji took too easy possession and went over in the corner, only for it to be called back, and rightly so, for a forward pass. After a period of little action, Fiji turned ball over, only to lose it once more far too easily, and when MS and FS combined in midfield, FS almost went over for his second try, but the recently entered Mtawarira, aka The Beast, was on hand to drop over the line and with the help of MS's kick, make it a staggering 42-3.

As Fiji threatened again from the re-start, Nalaga went round Pietersen, but the South African winger managed to get a hand in in the tackle and another chance went begging on a sorry night for FIji, who don't forget, in the build-up to this tournament, were bigging up their chances of a semi final place. They paid the price as Hougaard took the ball to the other end of the field and Rossouw capped a great performance with a deserved try. Ever willing, always moving forward, Matfield's replacement was a real plus for South Africa. Morne Steyn slotted another 2 points and Fiji stared the ignominy of 50 points in the face with 3 minutes to go.

The Springboks very nearly made it 50, but were forced into touch in the corner once and had FS to thank for a poor last minute kick. 

Full Time: South Africa 49 Fiji 3

South Africa have got their tournament back on track. After the lucky escape against the Welsh, they never let Fiji into the game, and managed to score 5 tries, using both backs and forwards well. Spies was a different player today, and the enforced move of Frans Steyn to centre looks to have given them a mighty midfield pair. Rossouw was the Man of the Match, and deservedly so. They will still feel they can get better though, and at the risk of repeating myself, Bismarck du Plessis has to start if they are to win games against the bigger nations. 9 points from 2 games will be sweet music to the ears of South Africans though.

Fiji, well the least said the better. An abject performance from start to finish really. OK they showed in the very early stages, but after Steenkamp's early try, they did virtually nothing. Back to the drawing board for them. The only positive I can give them is that they are still in with a shout of qualifying, but they need to show much more than they did here against Samoa and Wales to harbour hopes of a Quarter Final place. They will have more than one eye on the game tomorrow between their final 2 opponents Wales and Samoa as they try to think of a way to bounce back from this drubbing.

RWC Day 9: 6-try Argentina Show Scotland They Mean Business

Argentina vs Romania

2 sides who had made 6 Nations sides struggle in their first games met in Saturday's first offering. Scotland had almost suffered ignominy against the Europeans, while Argentina had made England graft for their opening win, and had Rodriguez worn the right kicking boots, England may well have cancelled their bungee jump and dwarf throwing spectating activities of this week in exchange for some hard work. The weather was glorious in Invercargill, in contrast to the midweek Scotland vs Georgia.

Rodriguez missed an early penalty from directly in front to choruses of 'Oh no not again' across Buenos Aires, but from the 22 drop out, a high kick was well caught by Camacho, recycled and Fernandez went over for the early try, converted by Rodriguez this time. The Argentinians were clearly up for this and took the battle to the Romanians up front. Leguizamon appeared in the back line to take a deflected Rodriguez pass and batter his way over. Rodriguez made the kick again to make it 14-0 within 10 minutes, a better start than their Scottish rivals had made. 

Romania certainly look an improved side though and they earned a couple of penalties in Argentine territory, the second of which resulted in a kick at goal from Dimofte and the gap narrowing to 11 points. As for them, Argentina were certainly looking to play a far more expansive game than they had against England. They looked to have spotted the same defensive weakness against the Scots that I had, and after a quick tap penalty, Figallo the tight-head prop drove over from 20cm out to kill off the game, though Rodriguez couldn't make it 3 successful conversions and the score stayed 19-3.

Romania's scrum is certainly impressive, and the more illustrious Pumas front row was struggling as Scotland had done, but good as their front row looked in set play, their back line looked particularly fragile. 

Argentina looked likely to score every time they swung the ball wide (are you watching England?) So it was no real surprise when Amorosino wrapped up the bonus point before half an hour had elapsed, sliding through some weak tackling to go under the posts and allow Rodriguez to make it 26-3. Ball in hand though, it was a different story. A break down the right, saw the Argentinians encroach, but with the advantage being played, the ball was witched, and despite  a poor pass, winger Cazan gathered and forced his way over for Romania's first try.

Leguizamon particularly was impressing as he appeared in the backs more and more often, never more so than after a daring counter from Amorosino, where the flanker was haring up in support, and only an injudicious pass spoiled what would have been possibly the try of the tournament so far.

Half Time: Argentina 26 Romania 8

It was a toss-up at this early stage between Leguizamon and Amorosino for Man of the Match, and after another great darting Amorosino run, Romania conceded a penalty and Rodriguez stretched the lead to 21 points. Early in the second half saw the dance of the substitutes start. As usual, this saw the game become slightly disjointed, as fresher legs mixed with slightly more tired. Romania were killing the ball at the breakdown, and fringing round the outsides, which didn't exactly help matters, but Steve Walsh the referee was sensible and avoided using a yellow card until the infringements became so persistent that he had no choice and Lazar trundled off for 10 minutes break thanks largely to his team-mates, though he had been the guilty party on a few occasions. 

The Romanian scrum had stopped moving forward and the Pumas had regained the upper hand in one of their traditional strongholds, and only a strong goal-line defence prevented Argentina adding  a 5th try.

Good though the first half had been, the second half had been a rather turgid affair and this was reflected by the arrival on the hour of the Mexican wave. Call me a killjoy, but I'm not one to get involved in these. In my mind they're nothing more than distractions for people who can't concentrate on the basics of the game and who get bored if there isn't a try every seven minutes. 

While the crowd were otherwise engaged, Lobbe went close for Argentina but was bundled into touch, by, seemingly, half of Bucharest. The spark though was generally missing from the Pumas in this second half, until Imhoff scythed through between the posts, making the most of props being in the midfield line. Rodriguez made it 5 kicks from 8 as the score moved to 36-8.

Another round of substitutions followed, further breaking the rhythm with 15 minutes to go. All of a sudden though, there was some ebb and flow. Argentina looked certain to score, but Dimofte intercepted, and though he looked like he was running through quicksand, he got the ball wide to Cazan, but a lost ball was recycled by the Pumas, and Imhoff fed Fessia who went over from distance for Argentina's 6th try . Rodriguez, via the left-hand post, added 2 more to make it 43-8. 

Only a deliberate knock-on stopped Argentina widening the margin further, but not intent on merely finishing the game by kicking to touch, Argentina kept going in search of the 50 point mark. Romania defended as if their lives depended on it though and managed to survive that indignity.

Full Time: Argentina 43 Romania 8

Argentina surprised many with their open flowing rugby of the first half. Those who expected a fierce forward battle with little from the backs were wrong. Amorosino and Leguizamon excelled for 50 minutes, before the game took on a more expected shape. Lobbe came to prominence after Leguizamon left the field, and Ayuja woke up in the last 10. Fernandez also did his best to ease the pain caused by the loss of Contepomi.

Romania were unable to perform as they had done against Scotland. It became clear as the game went on just how poor Scotland had been last weekend, as Argentina snuffed out Romania as an attacking force with ease and managed to deal with the imposing romanian scrum far more easily than the Scots had.

Romania have the daunting task of England next on Saturday, while Argentina play Scotland a week tomorrow in a game that looks like it could be critical for qualification. While Scotland have one more chance against England afterwards, it will be a case of do or die for Argentina.

Back later with my take on the repeat of the 2007 Quarter Final between South Africa and Fiji, as well as the interesting third game of the day between Australia and ireland. For now though, coffee!

RWC Day 8: Nonu Shines But Carter Casts A Shadow

So to the second week of the tournament. The second Friday saw a single game once more, with the hosts on centre stage alone again. This time, the Japanese were the lambs to the slaughter. The last time these 2 sides met in a World Cup, 162 points were scored, and countless records were broken. Most points in a game, highest score by 1 side (145), most tries by 1 player (6 - Marc Ellis - someone erase that record from the record book please... Mark with a 'c' I ask you), Most points by one player (45 - Simon Culhane).

Japan have progressed in those 16 years and with Kiwi coach John Kirwan seeing them become Asian Champions once more and also taking the Pacific Island cup against Tonga, Samoa and Fiji no less, they are the most improved side in World rugby. So a score of 1995 magnitude was never on the cards. My personal feeling though as the game kicked off was a 60 point margin, as with the injuries to star men, understudies had an unexpected chance to impress.

One-way traffic from the beginning, when turnover + Vito break + good hands = Smith over for a converted try (Slade slotting the extras). Slade did miss a straightforward chance to make it 10 in the 9th minute, but Japan were struggling to get a footing. Every time the New Zealand backs touched the ball, they looked dangerous. Tries scored from 1st phase ball are rare at this level, but angles and passes were good and Kahui's strength and pace saw him go over for his third try of the tournament.

Japan seemed eager to tap and go at every opportunity, even deep in their own 22, but were static and flat in the backs, meaning no impetus, and against a bigger side that is a recipe for disaster. Ellis was lively and prompting, Nonu danced through, Jane almost made it but the Japanese conceded a penalty and Kaino forced his way over from the resulting tap and recycle. Slade failed yet again, but 17-0 after 22 minutes was game over and predicted 60 point margin on track.

A free kick for feeding gave the All Blacks their next chance. Nonu was really impressing and broke through again, before another perfect pass to Jane. Recycled ball out to Nonu via Vito once more and another excellent pass fed Mealamu who ambled over for 5. Slade finally succeeded with his second kick. Japan had been awful; tactically naive in quickly tapping ball from everywhere, not strong enough in the tackle and imprecise with their kicking game which resulted in 2 consecutive kick-offs not travelling 10 metres - a criminal way to hand the game back to your opponents in the perfect attacking position (centrefield scrum). A penalty, a touch kick, a win at the line-out, a break from Smith and a pass to Ellis: so simple was the 5th try under the sticks this time. The scoreboard ticked round to 31 as a result.

Barely had the 3 and 1 settled in place on the scoreboard than it was time to change the 1 for an 8. Kick-off gathered, Ellis and Thompson advanced, ball wide through the excellent Nonu again, Toeava in support and the half backs combined for Slade to slide between the posts.

Half-time New Zealand 38 Japan 0

At half-time, you would have been a brave man to put any money on Japan scoring even a single point (well a single point isn't possible, but you know what I mean). How Japan must have wished that  this game had been played either yesterday or the day before, as the weather experienced by Scotland, Georgia, USA and Russia would surely have been a leveller. The good conditions made handling a more confident exercise and New Zealand rarely made errors.

Giving away penalties in your own 22 is never a good idea. For Japan it was suicide. In spite of substitutions, the All Blacks back line was smooth as silk, and the ball ended in the hands of Kahui, who ambled over for his second double of the tournament. Slade having found his range and radar, it was 45-0 and counting.

One would have thought that Kirwan would have urged Japan to pick their moments and tap and go in appropriate places, but they continued their brand of hari-kiri rugby at the start of the second. From another ill-advised dart, the ABs sent the ball wide and replacement Sonny Bill Williams strolled in as New Zealand became the first side to break 50. 100 was a possibility at this point.

Belatedly, Japan started playing 15 man rugby after an hour of sevens, and for a moment, they enjoyed some pressure, but turnovers continued to kill them and an Ellis kick from such a turnover saw Kahui in space, half a dozen passes later Toeava came to the party, and under the posts again, to take the score with the help of Slade to 59-0.

Odds on the whitewash were shortening by the second, but a badly judged offload from Slade let winger Onozawa in for the intercept try, converted by Williams, and the comeback was on (!). Kitagawa replaced Kitagawa for the last 20 minutes as Japan defended a scrum under their posts. What happened next? You got it. Ball won, Ellis breaks, recycled, good hands from Nonu and Hore had his moment of glory with NZ's 10th try. 64-7 on the hour.

The stunning mis-match continued, as Williams chased a kick and collected, carrying the ball in one hand as if it were an oddly-shaped apple, weaved and passed to Nonu who went over for the try his performance had deserved. Slade missed again, and Japan must have been happy that he had wasted 11 points, as an embarrassing scoreline could have become mortifying.

The one thing that may be slightly concerning Graham Henry is the relative weakness of Carter's understudy. Slade, missed kicks aside, looked slightly lightweight. Easily knocked off the tackle in defence, flat-footed and when carrying the ball a sitting duck for defenders. Can a Carter-less New Zealand win this tournament? I'm starting to think not.

As usually happens in the latter stages, substitutions really broke up the rhythm of the game, which helped Japan put the brakes on the All Blacks' scoring. I'm sure this will help add confidence to the Japanese as they prepare for the last 2 games in the Pool, against Tonga and Canada, which they have aspirations of winning. That said, Cowan broke, fed Ali Williams somewhat over-extravagantly and Thompson strolled over to become the 11th different try scorer, and (Statto alert!) the first number 7 to score this World Cup.

Slade converted and almost immediately, a Kahui break and kick was dropped on by Sonny Bill Williams. Unlucky 13 for Japan as the score extended to 83-7. A breathless last 2 minutes followed when Japan broke, then New Zealand countered, before Kahui passed the ball away when a 14th try beckoned. Japan broke again, and the Hamilton crowd booed Sonny Bill Williams as he belted the ball dead to bring an end to the game. It was with a certain amount of breathless relief that Nigel Owens blew for time.

Full Time: New Zealand 83 Japan 7

A straightforward New Zealand victory. Japan had no answers, as New Zealand were speaking a completely different rugby language. When they did look good, it was as individuals, and in isolation you cannot secure ball or compete. Two defeats in the bag, they have 2 targets now, and anything less than 1 win will be seen as a massive step backwards after a few years of constant progress.

Japan have made progress, but are a long way from competing with the big boys. They tried, from start to finish, but misguided tapping and going, along with no real combined effort(more a team of individuals than a united XV) meant that there was never the solid base to build any play on.

Tonga and Canada await them, as they look for a 3rd Place finish in the Pool. Canada though will be confident that they have the organisation to take down the Japanese, and Tonga will be a wounded animal after their Canadian defeat.

For New Zealand, Nonu excelled in everything, and his partnership with Smith really does look watertight. Henry needs a fit Carter more than any other player. McCaw was ably covered by Thompson, and the pack, while never really threatened, did an efficient job. Ellis has taken pole position in the race for the number 9 shirt, and you could perm any 3 from about 7 names at the back as Muliaina, Dagg, Toeava, Kahui, Jane, SB Williams and Guildford could all do the desired job. 10 points from 10, a comfortable start to their home world cup.

And Finally...
Another long weekend ahead as we enter the second week of RWC11. Wales have a must-win game against Samoa (I've heard that before) while Ireland face Australia in desperate need of some good vibes. O'Brien returns to the back row for them, but must feel like he carries the weight of the whole country on his shoulders. England and France face Georgia and Canada respectively. 2 sides looking to embarrass bigger name opposition. Both should go the way of the 6 Nations sides, but never say never.... There is also a re-match of the 07 Quarter Final between a Fiji out for revenge and a South Africa breathing a sigh of relief after last weekend. First up though, in England's group, Argentina face Romania. Weakened after their bruising game with England, Argentina have to win to stand a chance of progressing.

The English press still can't let the 'antics' of the squad go. Having announced his team, the press seemed indifferent, wanting to know more about what Mike Tindall had been up to. I suppose they have to fill the column inches somehow. Fair play to Martin Johnson though, he seems to be taking it very much in his stride.

I'm away this weekend and while the updates will follow here, I will be in a non-wireless environent, so Twitter may take a break. Next week I will be on business in Spain, and I won't be able to see the games live. You won't be spared my thoughts though as there will no doubt be a couple of brief messages picking the bones from the highlights.

TTFN