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RWC 2023 R1: Drop goal hat trick, no-look kick and Fiji lighting it up
Rugby World Cup 2023 burst into life on Friday night with the host nation celebrating yet another famous tournament win over the three-times champions at the Stade de France. But the opening round saved the best for last, as Wales and Fiji battled it out in a thrilling match that was undoubtedly the game of the weekend.
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Meanwhile, Italy flexed their muscle with a convincing win over Namibia, and Ireland dominated Romania with a record-setting performance. Australia marked their return to form against Georgia, and England overcame an early red card to triumph against Argentina. Japan impressed as Chile made their debut, and defending champions South Africa showed their power to dismiss Scotland’s threat.
France vs New Zealand 27 – 13
While the All Blacks got off to a flyer with an early try from Mark Telea, France responded with accurate goal-kicking from Tomas Ramos, and tries by winger Damian Penaud and replacement Melvyn Jaminet to seal the win. The victory puts France atop Pool A, and goes down as another famous RWC win over the All Blacks, following 1999 and 2007.
Italy vs Namibia 52 – 8
Italy kicked off their campaign with a convincing win in Saint-Etienne, starting with the first 50:22 of the tournament just ten minutes into the match. It led to a yellow card and two tries while they were down to 14 men, part of their seven-try total against the small Southern African side who now have the unfortunate record of 23 Rugby World Cup matches and 23 Rugby World Cup losses. They gave it their all but were no match for the Six Nations team, who aim to reach the knockout phase for the first time, but face tougher challenges ahead in Pool A against New Zealand and France.
Ireland vs Romania 82 – 8
A record setting winning margin by Ireland blew away the Romanian hopes of putting up a solid showing in their opening Rugby World Cup 2023 outing in France. The dominant, bonus-point victory in Bordeaux included 12 tries, with Johnny Sexton leading the charge with 24 points, and two tries of his own. Romania took the lead, but Ireland responded with five first half tries, followed by seven more in the second half. The number one ranked team next face Tonga, South Africa and Scotland in Pool B.
Australia vs Georgia 35 – 15
The Wallabies turned their fortunes around under Eddie Jones with a solid opening match win against Georgia. Despite Georgia’s power up front and plenty of fans at the Stade de France, Australia’s experience and structure proved too much as they scored through Jordan Petaia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, and Ben Donaldson. Georgia face Portugal next, while Australia will prepare for the dangerous Fijians.
England vs Argentina 27-10
Coming off an upset loss to Fiji at Twickenham, England surprised everyone by upsetting a much-fancied Argentina side, with shades of what they were on the receiving end of in the 1999 Quarter Finals. Despite going down to 14 men due to a controversial Tom Curry red card, England’s George Ford controlled the game and kicked all 27 points, including three first half drop goals, perhaps leaving them with a bit of a selection dilemma when Owen Farrell returns from suspension. A good problem to have.
3 – Most drop goals in a men’s @rugbyworldcup match:
5 – Jannie De Beer 🇿🇦 (v England, 1999)
3 – Jonny Wilkinson 🏴 (v France, 2003)
3 – Juan Martin Hernandez 🇦🇷 (v Ireland, 2007)
3 – Theuns Kotze 🇳🇦 (v Fiji, 2011)
3 – George Ford 🏴 (v Argentina, 2023)Slotted. pic.twitter.com/qKMveE56dD
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) September 9, 2023
Japan vs Chile 42-12
In their World Cup debut, Chile showed promise, scoring an early try by Rodrigo Fernandez. However, 2019 hosts Japan took control and led 21-7 by halftime, with Amato Fakatava scoring twice. Despite Alfonso Escobar’s try narrowing the gap for Chile, Japan secured a bonus point with Michael Leitch’s score, followed by Ryoto Nakamura and Warner Dearns sealing the deal. Chile’s attacking spirit impressed, but Japan’s experience prevailed. The Brave Blossoms are eyeing another quarter-final appearance, likely needing to defeat England or Argentina.
South Africa vs Scotland 18-3
While there was a lot of talk about this being the best prepared and most dangerous Scotland team to appear at a RWC, the World Champion Springboks side – playing in an alternate strip that had many fans up in arms – showed that their new mix of power and flair, combined with a seemingly impenetrable defence, was too much for the Scots on the day. It was just 6-3 to South Africa at the break, but two quick tries, through Pieter-Steph Du Toit and Kurt-Lee Arendse, made the difference. Manie Libbok’s no-look kick pass in particular was one of the highlights of the match. The loss puts Scotland in a challenging position in Pool B, which includes top-ranked Ireland, while South Africa looks ahead to Romania next.
This. On. Repeat. 🤤
The kick from Manie Libbok. 😍#RWC2023
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 11, 2023
Wales vs Fiji 32-26
The best was saved for last as Rugby World Cup rivals Wales and Fiji produced yet another classic contest between them. Wales had to make an incredible 248 tackles to 70, but held on at the end despite tremendous pressure from Fiji, who were perhaps one dropped ball away from a famous come from behind victory. While there was a lot to talk about in the fascinating contest, it’s worth mentioning Levani Botia’s lovely show of sportsmanship as he crossed the try line but knocked it on inches before, then got up and turned to the referee to let him know it’s not a try, rather than going through the TMO process. Classy.
Bring on round two.
Comments on RugbyPass
Interesting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to comments