Scotland 44 – 38 Samoa
Gregor Townsend's first home game in charge ended in victory for the Scots. It has been a difficult week for Samoa; their prime minister declared Samoan rugby bankrupt this week, but they put up a good fight and rallied late to keep themselves in the game. Stuart Hogg got a try with just a minute gone, Russell chipped a ball through which Seymour hoofed up the field, the bounce of the ball was kind to Hogg and Scotland were ahead. Nanai-Williams got Samoa on the board with his 2nd attempt, before Russell kicked two penalties. Samoa got the first of their 5 tries through Josh Tyrell, making his debut. Scotland would get two more tries before the break, Huw Jones and McInally touching down. In truth the game was won with that late show in the first half. McInally got his 2nd try 5 minutes into the 2nd half, to extend Scotland's lead to 32 – 10. Fa’asalele got Samoa back into the game with a try 4 minutes later. Just past the hour mark Nanai-Williams, cousin of Sonny Bill, got over the line with a burst of pace from short distance. Dunbar would restore the lead after a masterful kick from Hogg. Fonotia and Treviranus would touch down either side of a Horne try, but it wouldn’t be enough as Scotland survived late pressure. Each team had 4 players getting their first cap; Jamie Bhatti, Daryl Marfo, Chris Harris, and George Turner for Scotland, AJ Alatimu, Donald Brighouse, Melani Matavao, and Josh Tyrell for Samoa.
Italy 19 – 10 Fiji
Ian McKinley made his debut for Italy, and kicked a penalty late on to secure the win. A penalty from Canna opened the scoring, before Volavola levelled the scores. Ferrari and Nakarawa exchanged tries to make the score 10 – 10 at halftime. In the second half Canna kicked two penalties, McKinley added a 3rd to give Italy a 9-point win. Jayden Hayward, Giovanni Licata, and Matteo Minozzi also made their debuts for Italy, while Semi Kunatani and Ropate Rinakama made their debuts for Fiji.
England 21 – 8 Argentina
George Ford and Emiliano Boffelli exchanged penalties early on before Hughes got a try. England led 14 – 3 at halftime. In the second half Rokoduguni touched down for England while Sanchez got a consolation try for the Pumas. Sam Simmonds made his debut for England.
Wales 21 – 29 Australia
Australia retained the James Bevan Trophy. They led 13 – 24 at halftime. Halfpenny opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a penalty, before Polota-Nau got a try. Wales would respond with Evans getting over the line, but Coleman would put the Wallabies back in front. Halfpenny and Hodge would both add penalties before Hooper touched down to give the visitors a commanding lead. In the second half Beale got a try, with Amos getting late one for Wales. Leon Brown, Sam Cross, and Owen Watkin all made their debuts for Wales.
France 18 – 38 New Zealand
Tries from Dan Coles and Waisake Naholo, and a penalty from Beauden Barrett had the All Blacks in front early on. Teddy Thomas would get one back for France, before they went down to 14 when Rabah Slimani got sent to the bin. Ryan Crotty and Sam Cane would take advantage adding tries at the end of the half. Anthony Belleau got the first score of the second half, a penalty. New Zealand then had Sonny Bill Williams yellow carded. Belleau kicked another penalty, and that would be it for the scoring until the final minute when Naholo got his 2nd try.
Georgia 54 – 22 Canada
Canada's rough year continued with a defeat to Georgia in Tbilisi. Matiashvili got the first of his two tries in the opening minute, and maintained a perfect kicking recording, scoring all ten of his kicks. Paris got Canadas first score in the 33rd minute when he touched down, but penalties from Matiashvili and a try from Nemsadze had Georgia in front. The floodgates opened in the 2nd half with Georgia getting three more tries from Chilachava, Sharikadze, and Asieshvili, to Canadas two from Van der Merwe and Staller. Giorgi Kveseladze and Mirian Modebadze made their debuts for Georgia and Josh Larsen got his first cap for Canada. This win was Georgias largest over Canada.
Germany 45 – 12 Brazil
Germany scored 7 tries to Brazils 2 in a comfortable home victory. Brazil go to Belgium next week while Germany host the USA
Barbarians 27 – 24 Tonga
It was a tight game which the Barbarians edged out in the end. Pakalani and Lokotui got early tries for Tonga to put them in control of the game, before Barbarians hit back through Naiyaravoro and Bridge. Du Preez kicked a penalty, Barbarians led 15 – 14 at halftime. The next score came just after the hour mark when Vailanu got the first of his two tries. Barbarians would respond through tries from Murphy and Ellis. Vailanu touched down again late on, but the Barbarians saw the game out.
Rugby Europe Results
Conference 1 South
Israel 44 – 8 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Conference 2 South
Cyprus 42 – 5 Austria
Conference 2 North
Luxembourg 64 – 0 Estonia
Rugby Europe Trophy
Moldova 7 – 59 Netherlands
Hong Kong Cup of Nations Results
Kenya 3 – 23 Chile
Hong Kong 13 – 16 Russia
Ciarán Duffy (@TheVoiceDepth) is a Leinster supporter and self-proclaimed ‘big cheese’ of Post To Post (@PostToPostSport). He’ll write about anything rugby under the condition he gets to take it too seriously.
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