RUGBY WORLD CUP: Results Saturday 10 October

Australia 15, Wales 6 at Twickenham (World Cup, Pool A)
England 60, Uruguay 3 in Manchester (World Cup, Pool A)
Scotland 36, Samoa 33 in Newcastle (World Cup, Pool B)

Briefly
Australia put on a stunning ten minute display of defence against Wales in the second half. Reduced to 13 players they held out a great effort by Wales to score in a thrilling encounter. The score was 12-6 to Australia. A Welsh try with the conversion would have put them in the lead. But Wales could not breach the defence. Stand up tall Australia and be proud. Yet another amazing game at this tournament.

Probably the best game of rugby at the tournament to date saw Scotland just edge out Samoa 36-33. What a game! Running rugby at its best. Whew!!

England defeated Uruguay 60-3. That was that!

After today’s results the quarter finals look like this.

Australia v Scotland
Wales v South Africa
New Zealand v Ireland or France
Ireland or France v Argentina

The quarter finals will take place next Saturday and Sunday

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Saturday’s Games

Due to other commitments previews have to be brief.

10.10.2015
Australia v Wales at Twickenham (World Cup, Pool A)

This is a crucial game in Pool A. The winner will take top spot and will play either Scotland or Japan in the quarter finals. The loser will have the much harder game against South Africa.

Prediction: Wales by 5 points. Score 26-21

England v Uruguay in Manchester (World Cup, Pool A)

Nothing much to write about this one. England are out of the tournament and will want to appease their fans with a huge win which they are capable of doing. Uruguay will be going home without a win and having to re qualify for the 2019 tournament.

Prediction: England by 73 points. Score 81-8

Samoa v Scotland in Newcastle (World Cup, Pool B)

Samoa has been a huge disappointment at this tournament. They will put up a good fight in the first half but I expect Scotland to be too strong in the second.

Prediction: Scotland by 13 points. Score 24-11

RUGBY WORLD CUP: POOL B

03.10.2015
Japan 26, Samoa 5 in Milton Keynes (World Cup, Pool B)
South Africa 34, Scotland 16 in Newcastle (World Cup, Pool B)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	BP	PT
SOUTH AFRICA	3	2	0	1	112	56	56	13	4	3	11
SCOTLAND	3	2	0	1	100	60	40	10	2	2	10
JAPAN	3	2	0	1	70	82	-12	5	5	0	8
SAMOA	3	1	0	2	36	88	-52	2	8	0	4
UNITED STATES	2	0	0	2	32	64	-32	2	2	0	0

Briefly
Japan were comfortable winners over Samoa but made their push towards a quarter final spot difficult with some strange decisions late in the game. Penalty shots were taken instead of working towards a bonus point. Those decisions may come back to haunt them.

South Africa were made to work hard by a determined Scotland in Newcastle. South Africa missed a fourth try.

Coming Up

07.10.2015	SOUTH AFRICA		UNITED STATES		LONDON
10.10.2015	SAMOA		SCOTLAND		NEWCASTLE
11.10.2015	UNITED STATES		JAPAN		GLOUCESTER

SAMOA v JAPAN: Rugby World Cup, Pool B

03.10.2015

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Image thanks to en.wikipedia.org

Venue: Stadiummk, Milton Keynes

Pool Standings

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	BP	PT
SCOTLAND	2	2	0	0	84	26	58	10	2	2	10
SOUTH AFRICA	2	1	0	1	78	40	38	10	3	3	7
SAMOA	2	1	0	1	31	62	-31	2	8	0	4
JAPAN	2	1	0	1	44	77	-33	3	4	0	4
UNITED STATES	2	0	0	2	32	64	-32	2	2	0	0

Preview
There is no more crucial match in this pool than this match. The winner is most likely to at least gain third place, and win a place at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and then has a chance to make the quarter finals.

Samoa received the South African backlash after the Springbok lost to Japan in the opening round. Samoa has the edge historically but, v Scotland excepted, Japan has lit up this Rugby World Cup. Nothing would please the Japanese players more than to send retiring coach Eddie Jones on his way with that quarter finals spot. This could go either way.

Last Five Encounters
20.05.2014 Japan 33-14 in Tokyo (Friendly)
17.06.2012 Samoa 27-26 in Tokyo (Pacific Nations Cup)
02.07.2011 Samoa 34-15 in Tokyo (Pacific Nations Cup)
30.10.2010 Samoa 13-10 in Tokyo (Friendly)
19.08.2010 Japan 31-23 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)

These two teams first met in 1990 in a World Cup qualifying game. Samoa won 37-11

Previous World Cups
03.10.1999 Samoa 43-9 in Wrexham (World Cup, Pool D)

Samoa last Five P 5, W 2, D 1, L 2
26.09.2015 v South Africa L 6-46 in Birmingham (World Cup, Pool B)
20.09.2015 v United States W 25-16 in Brighton (World Cup, Pool B)
03.08.2015 v Fiji L 29-39 in Vancouver (Pacific Nations Cup; Final)
29.07.2015 v Canada W 21-20 in Toronto (Pacific Nations Cup)
24.07.2015 v Fiji D 30-30 in Sacramento (Pacific Nations Cup)

Japan Last Five P 5, 4, L 1
23.09.2015 v Scotland L 10-45 in Gloucester (World Cup, Pool B)
19.09.2015 v South Africa W 34-32 in Brighton (World Cup, Pool B)
05.10.2015 v Georgia W 13-10 in Gloucester (World Cup Warm Up)
29.08.2015 v Uruguay W 40-0 in Tokyo (2nd Test)
22.08.2015 v Uruguay W 30-8 in Tokyo (1st Test(

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Japan 8th, Samoa 13th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Samoa 74.67, Japan 73.01

Prediction: Almost too close to call.Samoa by 1 point. Score 23-22

TEAMS

Japan
15 Ayumu Goromaru, 14 Akihito Yamada, 13 Male Sau, 12 Harumichi Tatekawa, 11 Kotaro Matsushima, 10 Kosei Ono, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Ryu Koliniasi Holani, 7 Michael Broadhurst, 6 Michael Leitch (Capt.), 5 Hitoshi Ono, 4 Luke Thompson, 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Keita Inagaki
Replacements
16 Takeshi Kizu, 17 Masataka Mikami, 18 Hiroshi Yamashita, 19 Justin Ives, 20 Amanaki Lelei Mafi, 21 Hendrik Tui, 22 Atsushi Hiwasa, 23 Karne Hesketh
Head Coach: Eddie Jones

Samoa
15 Timothy Nanai-Williams, 14 Kenneth Pisi, 13 Paul Perez, 12 Johnathon Leota, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Faifili Levave,
7 TJ Ioane, 6 Ofisa Treviranus (Capt.), 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Teofilo Paulo,
3 Census Johnston, 2 Ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo
Replacements
16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Jack Lam,
20 Vavae Tuilagi , 21 Vavao Afemai , 22 Michael Stanley, 23 Rey Lee-Lo 
Head Coach: Stephen Betham

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Saturday 27 September

26.09.2015
Wales 28, England 25 at Twickenham (World Cup, Pool A)
South Africa 46, Samoa 6 in Birmingham (World Cup, Pool B)
Italy 23, Canada 18 in Leeds (World Cup, Pool D)

Briefly
After being behind in just about every aspect of the games Wales stormed home in the last quarter of the match to snatch a 28-25 win over England in their pool match. The Twickenham crowd was noisy and full of song for most of the match as England looked to have the game well under control when leading 21-12 with 30 minutes remaining. Wales’ comeback was remarkable but came with costly injuries.

England now have to win against Australia on the 3rd October to hold second place in the pool or become the first Rugby World Cup host to miss the quarter finals. Desperate stuff.

South Africa blew away the memory of the loss to Japan with an emphatic 46-6 victory over a brave but outclassed Samoan side. The Samoans were not match for a South African side that were determined to stamp their mark on this tournament. Sadly South African captain Jean de Villiers has been ruled out of the tournament with a broken jaw.

Italy had to struggle past a gallant Canadian side that came close to scoring the second major upset of the tournament.

SOUTH AFRICA v SAMOA: World Cup Pool B

26.09.2015

Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) 

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	BP	PT
SCOTLAND	1	1	0	0	45	10	35	5	1	1	5
SAMOA	1	1	0	0	25	16	9	2	2	0	4
JAPAN	2	1	0	1	44	77	-33	3	4	0	4
SOUTH AFRICA	1	0	0	1	32	34	-2	4	3	2	2
UNITED STATES	1	0	0	1	16	25	-9	2	2	0	0

Preview
This is a massive game for both teams. South Africa must come back with a bonus point win to make up for their shock loss to Japan whilst Samoa will be eyeing top spot in this Pool.

South Africa has made a number of changes to their side including most of the backline. It is do or die for them and they will surely bring back a hugely physical game.

Samoa is not known for standing back and will bring their physicality to this game. For them it is a chance to secure their first win over South Africa and steal top place in this Pool. That is their aim.

This will be a massively brutal game. Can’t wait

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: South Africa 9th, Samoa 13th

IRB Ranking Points
South Africa 81.15, Samoa 76.18

GWC Rugby Ranking Points
South Africa 81.15, Samoa 76.18

Prediction: South Africa by 9 points. Score 39-30

TEAMS

Samoa
15 Timothy Nanai-Williams, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 Paul Perez, 12 Rey Lee-Lo,
11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Michael Stanley, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Ofisa Treviranus (Capt), 7 Jack Lam, 6 TJ Ioane, 5 Joseph Tekori, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Motu Matu'u, 1 Zak Taulafo
Replacements
16 Ole Avei, 17 Viliami Afatia, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Vavae Tuilagi, 21 Vavao Afemai, 22 Tusi Pisi, 23 George Pisi

Head Coach:Stephen Betham

South Africa
15 William le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jean de Villiers (Capt.), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements
16 Schalk Brits, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Lood de Jager,
20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Patrick Lambie, 23 Jesse Kriel.
Head Coach: Heyneke Meyer

SAMOA 25, UNITED STATES 16: Rugby World Cup Pool B

20.09.2015

Review
Missed opportunities from Samoa (which prevented them from scoring more tries and gaining a crucial bonus point) and missed tackles and infringements by the USA were critical in the result of this fine game of rugby at Brighton.

Samoa’s next game is against the wounded Springbox but a win in Birmingham is a real possibility.

The USA would be disappointed with the result but have an opportunity to upset Scotland in 6 days time.

Samoa edged out the USA in Pool B
Image thanks to www.rugbyworldcup.com

Other Reviews
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_81217,00.html

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/95381

http://www.espnscrum.com/2015-rugby-world-cup/rugby/story/275391.html

POOL B

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	BP	PT
JAPAN	1	1	0	0	34	32	2	3	4	0	4
SAMOA	1	1	0	0	25	16	9	2	2	0	4
SOUTH AFRICA	1	0	0	1	32	34	-2	4	3	2	2
UNITED STATES	1	0	0	1	16	25	-9	2	2	0	0
SCOTLAND	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

 

19.09.2015	JAPAN	34	SOUTH AFRICA	32	BRIGHTON
20.09.2015	SAMOA	25	UNITED STATES	16	BRIGHTON
23.09.2015	SCOTLAND		JAPAN		GLOUCESTER
26.09.2015	SOUTH AFRICA		SAMOA		BIRMINGHAM
27.09.2015	SCOTLAND		UNITED STATES		LEEDS
03.10.2015	SAMOA		JAPAN		MILTON KEYNES
03.10.2015	SOUTH AFRICA		SCOTLAND		NEWCASTLE
07.10.2015	SOUTH AFRICA		UNITED STATES		LONDON
10.10.2015	SAMOA		SCOTLAND		NEWCASTLE
11.10.2015	UNITED STATES		JAPAN		GLOUCESTER