2019 Rugby World Cup about to start

[Blackleaf]

The 2019 Rugby World Cup gets underway tomorrow, with hosts Japan taking on neighbours Russia.

New Zealand and England - the two finalists of this year's Cricket World Cup - are the favourites, with New Zealand playing South Africa on Saturday and England playing Tonga on Sunday.

 

[NZDoug]

All Black s- Springboks should be a killer.
I more sleep til game time.
Go Blacks!

 

[Blackleaf]

All Black s- Springboks should be a killer.
I more sleep til game time.
Go Blacks!

It's a repeat of that famous 1995 Final, when Pienaar's Springboks defeated the might of Lomu's All Blacks to lift the trophy for the first time just after the end of Apartheid.

It's a mouthwatering affair - a clash of titans - and I'll probably watch it tomorrow with a few drinks and nibbles.

 

[Blackleaf]

Hosts win opening match at Rugby World Cup

Japan 30-10 Russia

Wing Kotaro Matsushima scored a hat-trick as hosts Japan got their World Cup campaign under way with a 30-10 victory against Russia.

Russia took an early lead through wing Kirill Golosnitskiy, but Matsushima replied for the hosts.

He grabbed his second to put Japan ahead just before half-time and Pieter Labuschagne broke away to add another after the break.

Matsushima then ran through to claim a four-try bonus point for his side.

Japan, in Pool A with Scotland, Ireland and Samoa, are aiming to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

The opening ceremony mixed the traditional with the modern and delighted the fans

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said before the tournament that "rugby mania" was going to captivate the nation and Japan's comeback in front of a vociferous crowd gave the tournament an early boost.

In Shibuya, home to Tokyo's famous crossing, there is only an occasional sign that a World Cup is taking place just an hour away.

But travelling to the stadium, the train filled with more and more Japan shirts while every metro stop and the nearest station to the venue was awash with red and white.

Once inside the near 50,000 capacity venue, supporters watched an opening ceremony like no other in rugby - reflecting the World Cup's first visit to Asia - and cheered it on enthusiastically at every stage.

In 2015, Japan were the first team in history to win three World Cup games and miss out on the quarter-finals and coach Jamie Joseph has made it clear that their objective is to make it out of the pool stages this time around.

But they will be competing with Ireland, Scotland and Samoa for one of the top two spots in Pool A to achieve that goal and there will be no room for any more nervous starts.

The Tokyo Stadium was awash with the red and white hooped shirts of Japan fans

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49768827

 

[NZDoug]

It's a repeat of that famous 1995 Final, when Pienaar's Springboks defeated the might of Lomu's All Blacks to lift the trophy for the first time just after the end of Apartheid.
It's a mouthwatering affair - a clash of titans - and I'll probably watch it tomorrow with a few drinks and nibbles.

Arrr, t'is true, mate.
Pizza and merlot here!
Go Blacks!!!

 

[Blackleaf]

New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

New Zealand-South Africa

Possession: 47%-53%

Territory: 41%-59%

Metres made: 367-372

Defenders beaten: 35-28

Tackles made/attempted: 86/114-72/107

Turnovers conceded: 12-18

Penalties conceded: 4-9

Defending champions New Zealand produced a clinical display to hold off a spirited South Africa in their World Cup Pool B opener in Yokohama.

The Springboks started brightly and took the lead with a Handre Pollard penalty before the All Blacks hit back.

Richie Mo'unga drew New Zealand level and two quick tries by George Bridge and Scott Barrett put them in front.

Pieter-Steph du Toit's try and a Pollard drop-goal made it tense before Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett penalties.

The result means New Zealand extend their winning run to 15 games in the competition, last losing to France in the 2007 quarter-finals.

South Africa play Namibia next on Saturday, 28 September (10:45 BST), while the All Blacks face Canada on 2 October (11:15).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49781330


France 23-21 Argentina

France held off a second-half comeback by Argentina to win a gripping World Cup match in Tokyo.

The Pumas overturned a 20-3 half-time deficit to take a 21-20 lead until Camille Lopez's drop-goal put France ahead again in the Pool C encounter.

Tries from Gael Fickou and Antoine Dupont gave France the advantage.

Guido Petti and Julian Montoya crossed for the Pumas and Benjamin Urdapilleta's penalty put them ahead before replacement Lopez struck.

The Pumas, who had lost their previous nine internationals, had another the chance to win it late on, but Emiliano Boffelli's long-range penalty drifted just wide.

England start their Pool C campaign on Sunday against Tonga, who are Argentina's next opponents on Saturday, 28 September. France resume when they take on the United States on Wednesday, 2 October.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49754321


Australia 39-21 Fiji

Australia ran in four second-half tries as they fought back to beat Fiji in their opening 2019 World Cup match.

The 2015 finalists were trailing until halfway into the second half before hooker Silatolu Latu went over for two tries inside five minutes.

Peceli Yato's try gave Fiji an early 8-0 lead, and a shock looked possible when Waisea Nayacalevu scored under the posts early in the second half.

But Australia roared back to end fears of a first loss to Fiji since 1954.

The Wallabies' next outing in Group D is on Sunday, 29 September, when they face Wales in Tokyo.

Yato was outstanding, but was forced off after only 25 minutes with a head injury following a collision with Australia winger Reece Hodge.

Australia had looked to be finding their feet when Michael Hooper crossed for a try following Yato's opener, and after Hodge scored in the corner the teams went into half-time with Fiji leading 14-12.

But when Nayacalevu latched onto a loose pass on the halfway line to sprint home just three minutes into the second half, a shock Fiji win was a distinct possibility.

However, Latu's first international tries, both scored from line-outs, settled Australia nerves before Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete put the two-time World Cup winners comfortably clear.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49752131

 

[NZDoug]

Doesn't the half back for the Springboks look like Sarah Netanyahu?
Also, Tonga had Straya shaken in their boots.
Fairy tale win for the Cherry Blossoms.
Go Blacks!

 

[Blackleaf]

Doesn't the half back for the Springboks look like Sarah Netanyahu?
Also, Tonga had Straya shaken in their boots.
Fairy tale win for the Cherry Blossoms.
Go Blacks!

Faf de Klerk plays for Greater Manchester club Sale Sharks.

 

[Blackleaf]

Azzurri open World Cup campaign with victory

Italy 47-22 Namibia

Italy began their World Cup Pool B campaign with a bonus-point victory over Namibia in changing weather conditions in Osaka.

The Namibian part-timers took an early lead through Damian Stevens before the Azzurri drew level with a penalty try.

Italy then took control with tries from Tommaso Allan and Tito Tebaldi.

Edoardo Padovani, Carlo Canna, Jake Polledri, Matteo Minozzi scored after the break, while JC Greyling and Chad Plato scored consolations for Namibia.

Italy initially struggled in the pouring rain and had to wait until the 25th minute to take the lead, but as the sun emerged in the second half, the Six Nations side turned on the style as they overpowered their opponents, who at 23 are the lowest ranked side in the tournament.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse, 36, became only the third man to play in five World Cups, matching the totals of compatriot Mauro Bergamasco and Samoa's Brian Lima, and his 141st international cap also drew him level with former Ireland and British Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll in second place on the all-time list.

"The important thing was to win and take the five points," Parisse said.

"Big congratulations to Namibia as well because they never gave up. They kept playing to the end."

The only negative for the Azzurri was when Tiziano Pasquiale was stretchered off before the break.

Play was briefly paused while the prop received medical attention for what appeared to be a neck injury.

Italy are next in action against Canada on Thursday, 26 September (08:45 BST), while Namibia face neighbours South Africa on Saturday, 28 September (10:45).

Defending champions New Zealand, who beat South Africa on Saturday, are the other team in the group.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49786413


Ruthless Ireland dismiss meek Scotland

Ireland 27-3 Scotland

Ruthless Ireland franked their status as the world's top-ranked side with a clinical Rugby World Cup victory against a meek Scotland in Yokohama.

The Irish went over in their first two incursions into the Scottish 22, James Ryan and Rory Best ploughing over to put them 12-0 ahead after 15 minutes.

Greig Laidlaw got the Scots on the board, but a wretched bounce led to Tadhg Furlong adding a third try before the half was out.

Andrew Conway then crossed after the break to secure Ireland's bonus point.

Ireland play hosts Japan on Saturday next, with Scotland facing Samoa two days later.

Hosts Japan won the first match in Pool A on Friday, defeating Russia 30-10, with the Samoans yet to play.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49783206

 

[Blackleaf]

Watching England start their World Cup campaign against Tonga. And, my God, it's looking ominous for the Tongans.

Tongan-born Manu Tuilagi is on fire for England. England have a 15-3 lead after 30 minutes with Tuilagi scoring both tries. The guy looks unstoppable. He rampages through the Tongans like a bull, brushing off their big men as though they are little children.

It he keeps up this form throughout the tournament, there's only going to be one winner.

 

[NZDoug]

Faf de Klerk plays for Greater Manchester club Sale Sharks.

Egzackly so!
Wait til MHZ and the gang catch on to this.
There is more to rugby than meets the eye, bosun.

 

[NZDoug]

Watching England start their World Cup campaign against Tonga. And, my God, it's looking ominous for the Tongans.
Tongan-born Manu Tuilagi is on fire for England. England have a 15-3 lead after 30 minutes with Tuilagi scoring both tries. The guy looks unstoppable. He rampages through the Tongans like a bull, brushing off their big men as though they are little children.
It he keeps up this form throughout the tournament, there's only going to be one winner.

Its not going to be Tonga.
23.00hrs now.
Go Tonga!

 

[Blackleaf]

Egzackly so!
Wait til MHZ and the gang catch on to this.
There is more to rugby than meets the eye, bosun.

In the UK, there are 2 million rugby union players in England alone.

In the USA, there are 125,000.

 

[Blackleaf]

Its not going to be Tonga.
23.00hrs now.
Go Tonga!

England leading 18-3 as half time approaches.

The All Blacks smashed the Tongans 92-7 earlier this year.

But the only thing that matters is the victory, not the margin of victory.

 

[NZDoug]

England leading 18-3 as half time approaches.
The All Blacks smashed the Tongans 92-7 earlier this year.
But the only thing that matters is the victory, not the margin of victory.

Bonus points for 3 or more tries or sum such nonsense.
Weather cancelations are considered a draw.
Unfair weather attrition.
Heat problems the threat, I think.
Sewccond half, here we go.
Go, Tonga!
Not sure if I can stay awake.

 

[Blackleaf]

England are running into the World Cup's biggest player today.

Ben Tameifuna weighs in just north of 24 stones (336 pounds).

 

[Blackleaf]

England get bonus point in win over Tonga

England 35-3 Tonga

At the Saporro Dome

England's World Cup campaign got off to a spluttering but winning start as they fought their way past unfancied Tonga.

Two first-half tries from the buccaneering Manu Tuilagi and a second-half rumble from Jamie George off a driving maul opened a gap, Owen Farrell landing three penalties and two conversions.

Replacement hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie grabbed the bonus-point fourth try late on but the expected avalanche of points never materialised.

Tonga had shipped 14 tries to New Zealand earlier this month and had won only one of their last seven coming into this tournament.

But they caused England problems at the breakdown, and coach Eddie Jones will want much more from his side as they look to win the Webb-Ellis Trophy for the second time in their history.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49786758

 

[Blackleaf]

Wales 43-14 Georgia

In Toyota City

Wales delivered a performance of contrasting halves in their opening Rugby World Cup match as they produced a bonus-point, six-try win over Georgia in Toyota City.

Tries from Jonathan Davies, Justin Tipuric, Josh Adams and Liam Williams secured the bonus point before half-time.

The fluent first 40 minutes was followed by a scrappy second-half performance against a rejuvenated Georgian side.

Replacement scrum-half Tomos Williams and George North added second-half tries.

Australia now await Wales in what will effectively be a potential Pool D decider in Tokyo on 29 September.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49793961

 

[Blackleaf]

England 45-7 USA

https://ich[SIZE="6"][/SIZE]ef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/13553/production/_108978197_joetry_pa.jpg

England hit their World Cup straps with a seven-try demolition of the USA to make it two bonus-point wins from two.

Billy Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie scored first-half tries from driving mauls after skipper George Ford went under the posts after six minutes.

Four more in the second half - two from Joe Cokanasiga, one apiece from latecomers Ruaridh McConnochie and Lewis Ludlum - were a fitting reward for a much-improved performance in the heat and humidity of Kobe.

In a World Cup becoming defined by safe tackling technique, US flanker John Quill was sent off for a horrible shoulder charge on replacement Owen Farrell, the England talisman lucky not to suffer serious injury.

But the man Farrell had come on for, Piers Francis, may himself face retrospective action after a questionable challenge in the opening moments of the game.

England's set-piece was dominant, the US forwards unable to cope at the scrum or to find an answer when their opponents set the maul.

Tougher tests lie ahead in the shape of Argentina and France but England will travel to Tokyo this weekend in much improved mood.

https://www.bbc.co.uk

 

[NZDoug]

ya, so things are basically following the script, except the Uruguay 30-27 Fiji upset.
Fiji rested some of their top guys thinking this would be push over.
stunner.....