RUGBY WORLD CUP: Thursday 23 September

23.09.2015
Australia 28, Fiji 13 in Cardiff (World Cup, Pool A)
Scotland 45, Japan 10 in Gloucester (World Cup, Pool B)
France 38, Romania 11 in London (World Cup, Pool D)

Briefly
Australia’s first outing at this Rugby World Cup met with a win but not without many anxious moments. Fiji were very competitive right to the end and exposed weaknesses early on at scrum time and in the lineout throughout the game. Australia failed to gain a bonus point in the win a factor that could be telling later.

Japan’s fairy tale entry into the World Cup came to an abrupt end when Scotland, playing their first game in this tournament, dominated at the game progressed. Japan showed glimpses of the form, speed and skill they showed against South Africa, but another hard game four days after their first was too much to ask.

France stuttered and stumbled their way to a win over Romania and were made to fight hard throughout the game.

POOL A

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	BP	PT
WALES	1	1	0	0	54	9	45	8	0	1	5
ENGLAND	1	1	0	0	35	11	24	4	1	1	5
AUSTRALIA	1	1	0	0	28	13	15	3	1	0	4
FIJI	2	0	0	2	24	63	-39	2	7	0	0
URUGUAY	1	0	0	1	9	54	-45	0	8	0	0

POOL B

	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

POOL D

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	BP	PT
FRANCE	2	2	0	0	70	22	48	7	2	1	9
IRELAND	1	1	0	0	50	7	43	7	1	1	5
ITALY	1	0	0	1	10	32	-22	1	2	0	0
CANADA	1	0	0	1	7	50	-43	1	7	0	0
ROMANIA	1	0	0	1	11	38	-27	1	5	0	0

Stats from www.rugbyinternational.net

RUGBY WORLD CUP

23.09.2015
Australia v Fiji in Cardiff (World Cup, Pool A)
Scotland v Japan in Gloucester (World Cup, Pool B)
France v Romania in London (World Cup, Pool D)

Briefly
Australia should account for Fiji. The Australians play their first game in this world cup whilst Fiji accounted well for themselves in the opening game against England. I expect Fiji to last the distance with Australia until the last twenty minutes.
Prediction: Australia 34-16

Can Japan repeat the fantastic performance they put up against South Africa? If they can play as well again they could well win two in a row. The question is-Can they play another cracker of a game. Scotland will be prepared. Their form has been poor this year and Japan could well create another upset.
Prediction: Japan 28-24

Romania has been going from strength to strength this year, slowly building a good side. They could well give the French a torrid time up front but I expect the French to outlast Romania.
Prediction: France 38-12

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