TEST RUGBY RESULTS: 24 August

24.08.2013
New Zealand 27, Australia 16 in Wellington (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship)
South Africa 22, Argentina 17 in Mendoza (International Rugby Championship)
Canada 13, United States 11 in Toronto (WCQ Americas, NACRA R2, 2nd leg)
Singapore 30, Chinese-Taipei 19 in Singapore (Asia Tri-Nations)

Briefly
New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup with a convincing win in Wellington. Australia played with more purpose in the first half but gradually the All Blacks, along with some horror errors from the Aussies, took control as the game progressed.

South Africa were pushed to the limit by a rejuvenated Argentina in Mendoza whilst Canada took the 2015 Rugby World Cup Americas 1 spot in the finals with a close 13-11 win over the USA. The USA now face Uruguay in the first of the repechage playoffs in November.

Singapore improved its IRB ranking position with a 30-19 win over Chinese Taipei at home. Hong Kong ‘A’ won the tournament but this was a vital win for Singapore capping off a successful season having won promotion to Asia Nations Division 1 for 2014.

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

24.08.2013
New Zealand v Australia in Wellington (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship)
South Africa v Argentina in Mendoza (International Rugby Championship)
United States v Canada in Toronto (WCQ Americas, NACRA R2, 2nd leg)
Singapore v Chinese-Taipei in Singapore (Asia Tri-Nations)

Previews
The New Zealand-Australia clash is previewed below. Because of other commitments the other rugby test matches are dealt with briefly here.

Argentina will look to claw back some respect when they host South Africa at home in Mendoza whilst Canada will look to cement their hold on the Americas 1 place at the 2015 Rugby World Cup Finals with a home win against neighbours USA.

Singapore and Chinese Taipei round off the Asia Tri-Nations tournament in Singapore.

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: 24-25 August

24.08.2013
New Zealand v Australia in Wellington (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship)
South Africa v Argentina in Mendoza (International Rugby Championship)
United States v Canada in Toronto (WCQ Americas, NACRA R2, 2nd leg)
Singapore v Chinese-Taipei in Singapore (Asia Tri-Nations)

25.08.2013
Venezuela v Colombia in Asuncion (CONSUR B)
Paraguay v Peru in Asuncion (CONSUR B)

Briefly
Australia face an uphill battle to square the Bledisloe Cup series with New Zealand in Wellington. Another loss and the Cup stays with New Zealand.

Argentina will be licking lips at the prospect of entertaining the Springbox at home. Last year they managed a draw at home and will be looking to turn around their fortunes from last weekend.

Like Australia, the USA faces a struggle to pass Canada in their away clash. Down by an aggregate of 17 points they need to win by 18 to push the Canadians to the repechage stage and take the Americas 1 spot at the 2015 Rugby World Cup Finals.

On Sunday the CONSUR B competition gets underway in Paraguay.