Italy 15 – 31 Argentina
Canna and Hernández exchanged penalties early on before Cancelliere got over for the games first try. It was Italy who went in ahead 9 – 5 at halftime. Italy could only add a drop goal through Violi while Argentina got two more tries. Kremer got over and Jaoquin Tuculet touched down late on on his 50th test cap.
Wales 13 – 6 Georgia
It was the Welsh who came out victorious in the first meeting between these two sides, although Georgia were in it right until the end. Early stages of the match were played deep in the Georgia half, Priestland kicked a penalty and then Amos got over for the games only try. Amos would get over the line again but it was chalked off for a forward pass. Georgia got their first score through a Matiashvili penalty. He would open the scoring for the second half with another kick. Just after the hour mark Priestland would stretch the Welsh lead with a penalty. At the end of the game Georgia had a succession of scrums until eventually Wales won a penalty. It wouldn’t be the last attack as Georgia would have a lineout 5 metres out. Tomas Francis got sent to the bin and Georgia had a real chance to level the scores. However, after 11 phases, Wales won a penalty and ended the game. Elliot Dee made his debut for Wales.
England 30 – 6 Australia
The only score in the first half came from the boot of Owen Farrell. Hodge got Australias first score with a penalty in the second half, before Daly touched down for the home side. Foley kicked another penalty to cut the gap to 7 points. England rallied late on with 3 tries in the last 10 minutes, Joseph, May, and Care all getting over the line. Blake Enever made his debut for Australia. This was Englands 5th consecutive win over Australia, and their largest margin of victory.
Scotland 17 – 22 New Zealand
The scores where 3 – 3 at halftime with penalties from Russell and Barrett. The All Blacks would start the 2nd half strong with tries from Codie Taylor and Damian McKenzie. Jonny Gray got one back for Scotland before Barrett added another for the visitors. Jones touched down late on to keep the Scots within touching distance of a famous victory. Luke Hamilton and Bryan McGuigan made their debuts for Scotland.
France 17 – 18 South Africa
South Africa bounced back from a heavy defeat to Ireland with a narrow win over France. Leyds touched down with 6 minutes gone, Belleau replied with a try 20 minutes later. The Springboks led 7 – 8 at halftime. Kriel got a try for South Africa just after the hour mark. Serin touched down with 5 minutes to go, but ultimately South Africa saw it out.
Japan 39 – 6 Tonga
The 2019 World Cup hosts secured their biggest win over Tonga, who had 9 players making their debuts. Lemeki got the games first try 3 minutes in, before Takulua and Tamura exchanged penalties. Mafi and Leitch got two further tries for Japan. The only score in the 2nd half came from a Fukuoka try. Koo Ji-won made his first appearance for Japan, and Jethro Felemi, Onehunga Havili, Penikolo Latu, Fotu Lokotui, Sione Lolohea, George Taina, Shinnosuke Tu’umoto’oa, Sione Vailanu, and Maama Vaipulu got their first caps for Tonga.
Romania 17 – 13 Samoa
Romania got the win in the match played at Atadionul Arcul de Triumf.
Namibia 36 – 52 Uruguay
Nieto scored a hattrick as Uruguay beat Africa Gold Cup champions by 16 points. The game was played at the Hage Geinob Rugby Stadium in Windhoek.
Spain 27 – 37 Canada
Despite scoring the first two tries through Guillaume and Contardi, Spain went down by 10 points against Canada. Late on in the half Paris and Van der Merwe touched down for the visitors to get Canada level. Those two would score again early in the 2nd half to put Canada ahead. Auzqui and López Perez got tries from spain, put penalties from Staller made sure of the victory for Canada. Joan Losada made his debut for Spain.
Belgium 19 – 23 Brazil
Yan Rosetti captained Brazil to a first ever test victory in Europe. The game was played at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Belgium started the better of the two sides, and Brazil suffered a blow when scrum-half Matheus Cruz had to go off. Belgian captain Jens Torfs got the games first try. Josh Reeves kicked a penalty for Brazil, at halftime Belgium led 7 – 3. Belgium extended their lead in the 2nd half when winger Craig Dowsett touched down. Brazil managed to turn things around as Belgium began to fade, second row Cléber Dias got over for the visitors first try. Felipe Sancery got a try to make the score 14 – 13. Reeves kicked a penalty to put Brazil in front for the first time. Winger De Wet van Niekerk got their third an final try. Dowsett touched down for Belgium late on.
Germany 17 – 46 USA
The first meeting between these two sides ended in victory for the visitors. Germany started brightly with a try from Schramm 12 minutes in. MacGinty and Parkinson exchanged penalties before Scully touched down for the USA late in the first half. The 2n half was all about the Americans as Taufete’e, Davies, Matyas, MacGinty, and Malcolm all got over the line. Cameron-Dow got one back for Germany. Adam Preocanin and Hagen Schulte made their debuts for Germany, Huluholo Mo’ungaloa go his first cap for the USA.
Hong Kong Cup of Nations
Hong Kong 40 – 30 Kenya
Russia 42 – 11 Chile
Asia Rugby Championship Division 2
3rd place play-off
India 19 – 37 Chinese Taipei
Final
Singapore 38 – 13 Thailand
Rugby Europe Trophy
Switzerland 27 – 30 Netherlands
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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