WITH the pool stages at the 2011 Rugby World Cup coming to a close, the quarter-final line-up begins to take rapid shape. In the last week, we’ve seen evidence that the cup favourites have taken their game up a notch and some more landslide results as a consequence. Although to the neutral, this can be seen as disappointing in light to a true contest, the underdogs know that barring a disaster, it’s four games and then an early flight home, whilst the heavyweights play out the latter stages.
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| RETURN: Cueto made a successful comeback, with a hat-trick |
Having scathingly criticised England for their opening two performances, Martin Johnson’s men finally arrived at this Rugby World Cup with a ten try whitewash of minnows Romania in Dunedin. The 67-3 scoreline didn’t flatter the English either, with signs that their A game has now been brought to the pitch. Mark Cueto marked his return to the test side, with a devastating hat-trick in the first 30 minutes. The flamboyant Chris Ashton also crossed for his own hat-trick, as Romania simply couldn’t cope with the onslaught. To not concede a try and only three points in total also underlines that the defensive work in training is beginning to pay off. Let’s not forget that Romania is a lower-ranked side, but the performance was much better than the one witnessed in beating Georgia six days earlier. Only against sterner opposition, like Saturday’s crunch encounter with Scotland in Auckland can we truly assess where England are at in comparison to the other favourites.
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| TORMENT: Scotland have to look on, as the Pumas celebrate |
Sadly for the Scots, it will now take a miracle to qualify for the quarter-finals. In conditions more akin to rallycross, they were narrowly beaten 13-12 by Argentina in Wellington. It was a game of few chances and that was always going to be the case between two well-matched sides. The crucial, game breaking moment came with nine minutes remaining. Dan Parks had come off the bench to kick Scotland 12-6 ahead. The Pumas response was absolutely scintillating. Lucas Gonzalo Amorosino weaved his way past three Scottish tackles, before diving over for the pivotal try; one of the best individual ones of the World Cup so far. Stalwart Felipe Contepomi, playing in his last World Cup kicked over the conversion. In the dying stages, Contepomi looked blatantly offside during the final Scottish attack. Rather than wait for the certain penalty, Parks attempted the drop goal which wasn’t even close. The advantage went and with it, so did Scotland’s hopes in cruel fashion. They now must beat England, score four or more tries and prevent Johnson’s side from gaining any points. It has to be considered as a long shot.
If they don’t underestimate Georgia, Argentina’s prize for escaping Pool B will be an exhilarating quarter-final clash with the favourites and the hosts. New Zealand dispatched France with consummate ease in their Pool A decider at the weekend. In fact, they were so clinical; the bonus point was wrapped up shortly after the interval. Israel Dagg was the star man for the All-Blacks, crossing for another two tries. They won the match 37-17 and by five tries to two; one of those being an intercepted try for the French. Dan Carter looked back to his best and it was a celebration for Richie McCaw, who was playing in his 100th test match. As for France, they will have to seriously improve if they want to advance past the quarter-finals. However, knowing the French, they have the capabilities to turn in a performance of magic at some point. England still has to be prepared for the quarter-final bruiser that awaits them.
In the battle of the Pacific Islanders, Samoa beat a desperately poor Fiji outfit 27-7. However, they failed to score a crucial bonus point in the match, when it was there for the taking. Although they will give South Africa a physical and bone-rattling test on Friday, expect the South Africans to finish their hopes off and progress as Pool D winners. Wales looked impressive again, especially in the second half of their 81-7 destruction of a very tired Namibia yesterday. Namibia’s tournament has been forgettable, but they did play four games in sixteen days, which is a big ask for a second-rate, amateur team.
Pool C is the one pool that looks very interesting going into the final weekend. Australia had been expected to coast past the USA and did so on Friday morning, dispatching the Americans 67-5. Adam Ashley-Cooper highlighted their clinical approach, with a hat-trick as the Wallabies ran over 11 tries. The match was overshadowed by what looked to be a horrific injury to Anthony Faingaa in the closing stages. He went off on a stretcher, with the likelihood of not only his tournament being finished, but the possibility of his rugby career being in severe doubt.
Finally, both Canada and Japan may be going home, but they provided those who got up at 4.30am this morning with a cracking match. In a keenly-fought contest in Napier, a late penalty from Ander Monro was enough to earn a 23-23 draw for the Canadians. It is only the third draw in RWC history and incredibly, these sides couldn’t be separated in 2007 either, drawing 12-12 on that occasion. For me, Canada and Japan have given us plenty of memories in the pool stages and look to be the two most improved teams in world rugby. Hopefully it won’t be long before they can begin to seriously threaten the real rugby elite. With one more weekend of pool matches remaining, all rugby fans will be looking forward to an intense final weekend, some emotional farewells and then the real fun begins.
THE WEEK’S RESULTS: Australia 67-5 USA, England 67-3 Romania, New Zealand 37-17 France, Fiji 7-27 Samoa, Ireland 62-12 Russia, Argentina 13-12 Scotland, Wales 81-7 Namibia, Canada 23-23 Japan, Italy 27-10 USA
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