Fiji 57 – 17 Canada
Fiji bounced back from a narrow defeat against Ireland with their biggest winning margin over Canada ever. Canada got an early penalty try shortly after Tawake touched down. Tuapati, Lomani, and Goneva added tries in the first half for Fiji, in addition to a penalty try, while Canadas Staller scored a penalty. In the 2nd half Peceli Yato, Leone Nakarawa, Levani, and Semi Kunatani all got tries for Fiji with Djustice Sears-Duru getting one for Canada. Fiji went down to 14 in both halves with Kini Murimurivalu and Dominiko Waqaniburotu both going to the bin. Ratunaisa Navuma made his debut for Fiji while Campese Ma’afu got his 50th cap.
Italy 6 – 35 South Africa
Ital scored just two first half penalties, both by Canna, as South Africa ran out comfortable winners. Francois Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, and Francois Venter got first half tries, while Kitshoff, and Mostert touched down in the 2nd. Pollard converted each of the tries. Renato Giammarioli and Warrick Gelant made their debuts for Italy and South Africa respectively.
Scotland 53 – 24 Australia
Massive win for Scotland, and a fully deserved one too. They suffered a blow before kick off as Stuart Hogg had to pull out through injury in the warm-up. The game itself started well for the Scots, they went ahead through a penalty from Russell, before McGuigan stabbed the ball through and touched down. It looked like it might be one of those days for Scotland as they found themselves behind in the space of3 first-half minutes, Kuridrani getting two tries. Things would swing in Scotland favour as prop Sekope Kepu was sent off for a shoulder. Scotland would capitalize through Price who stretched to get to the line. At halftime Scotland lead 17 – 12.
A try from Beale 2 minutes in had put Australia back level, but Scotland would get the next three scores, tries from Maitland, Gray, and Jones, to give them a commanding lead. Timani would get one back for the visitors, but Barclay replied 6 minutes later. Kurtley Beale was sent to the bin late on as Scotland mauled over the line for a final try, scored by McInally. This is by far Scotlands biggest winning margin over Australia, their previous best was 9 points. It was also the most points Scotland had ever scored against Australia, and the first time Scotland have beaten Australia more than once in one calendar year. Phil Burleigh and Taniela Tupou made their debuts.
Wales 18 – 33 New Zealand
The first half was tight, with New Zealand going in 1 point up. Halfpenny opened the scoring with a penalty. Naholo got two tries before Scott Williams replied on the 40-minute mark. At halftime the All Blacks led 11 – 12. The second half saw New Zealand push on with tries from Lienert-Brown and two from Ioane. Gareth Davies got one back for Wales, and that would be it for the scoring. Rhys Priestland and Scott Williams both earned their 50th caps for Wales.
France 23 – 23 Japan
The 2019 World Cup hosts secured a draw late on against France. Tamura and Trinh-Duc exchanged penalties early on before Shota Horie got the games first try. Trinh-Duc kicked another penalty and Slimani got over for the hosts. At halftime France led 13 – 8. Timothy Lafaele and Gabriel Lacroix got tries early in the 2nd half, and Tamura and Trinh-Duc both kicked penalties. Ishihara got over late to level the scores. This was the first time Japan avoided defeat against France.
England 48 – 14 Samoa
Brown and Lozowski got early tries for the hosts, Fa’asalele replied soon after. A penalty from Ford and another try from Ewels gave England a 22 – 7 lead at halftime. It took until the hour mark for the games next score, it came through Elliot Daly, the first of his two tries. Slade and Vui exchanged tries before Daly got over again and Rokoduguni touched down. Jamie-Jerry Taulagi made his debut for Samoa.
Georgia 21 – 20 USA
Georgia ended there Autumn series with a hard-fought win over the USA. The States got on the scoresheet first with Joe Taufete’e getting the first of his two tries. Georgia got a penalty try before Taufete’e and Chiliachava exchanged tries. Georgia went down to 14 twice in the first half, but ended the half stronger with another try from Bregvadze. The second half was quiet with only a sinbinning for USAs Huluholo Mo’ungaloa, and a try in the 76th minute, Campbell touching down to keep them within reach.
Romania 20 – 25 Tonga
Florin Vlaicu and Sonatane Takulua exchanged penalties in the first half as Romania went 6 – 3 up. Tonga would push on with tries from Atieli Pakalani, Leva Fifita, and George Taina. Romania got two tries, scored by Florin Surugiu, and Johann Van Heerden.
Germany 10 – 32 Chile
Chile beat Germany in the first ever meeting between the two sides. The game took place at Sparda-Bank-Hessen-Stadion. Tries from Velarde, Perrotta, Bursic, and Videla saw the South Americans win. Szczesny got Germanys only try.
Namibia 34 – 39 Uruguay
Uruguay beat Rugby Africa Gold Cup winners Namibia for the 2nd time this Autumn. Los Teros opened the scoring when prop Juan Echeverría touched down, the try was converted by Federico Favaro. They got their 2nd a few minutes later when scrum-half Agustín Ormaechea got over. Namibia would reply with a penalty from Cliven Loubster. Namibia then took the lead with tries from Christo van der Merwe and Daryl de la Harpe, both tries were converted by Loubster. Favaro kicked a penalty to send the sides in level 17 – 17 at halftime.
In the 2nd half Uruguay took the lead when hooker Germán Kessler got a try. Namibia drew level when de la Harpe got over for his 2nd try. The introduction of Santiago Arata changed the game, the scrum-half crossed the line twice to put Uruguay 14 points ahead. Namibia fought back with tries from Orbert Nortjé and JC Greyling, but a late Favaro penalty sealed the victory for the visitors. Uruguay play next against Canada in January in the first leg of a World Cup play-off.
Spain 67 – 28 Brazil
Spain were well on top in the first test match between these two sides. Spain led 31 – 7 at halftime. Los Leones scored 9 tries, with Pinto getting a hattrick and Linklater, Pelchuon, Álvarez, Gimeno, Bonan, and Perrín also touching down. Linklater converted 6 of these. For Brazil, Duque got two tries with Willian, and Rosetti getting over too. Reeves converted all of their tries. The match was played at Villajoyosa Rugby Stadium.
Rugby Europe Trophy
Moldova 20 – 22 Switzerland
Rugby Europe Conference 2
Slovakia 6 – 38 Cyprus
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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