Argentina 28 – 12 Tonga
I thought this was a fairly average performance from the Pumas, and whilst they can be a dangerous team, England will start as favourites next weekend.
They never really showed much in attack, although perhaps that was because it was never really required once they had scored four tries before half-time, including an interception, a front peel lineout and another through some weak tackling.
They were kept scoreless in the second half, despite enjoying plenty of possession and in the face of improved Tongan defence, they couldn’t find a way to break through. Given England’s defensive performance in the World Cup so far, I suspect they’ll be able to limit the opportunities for Argentina sufficiently to claim the win.
Japan 19-12 Ireland
What a thriller in Tokyo as Japan caused another massive World Cup shock, beating the number one team in the world and throwing Pool A wide open once again!
It looked as though Ireland were in control, but they never quite pulled away and Japan’s self-belief ensured they stayed in the game and for the last 50 minutes of the game, they played all the rugby and thoroughly deserved to win.
If the World Cup needed Uruguay’s against-the-odds win in midweek, how about this one to capture the imagination of the Japanese fans and hopefully bring new people to the game?
Where do you think Ireland went wrong? Are Japan favourites to win Pool A now?
South Africa v Namibia
I’m expecting a big win for the Boks, and I’ll do a write up after the game, but thought people might like to share their thoughts about the Japan win!
Edit: South Africa smashed Namibia as expected!
So loving the ITV pundits more or less playing down Japan and serving them up to The Jocks but what they haven’t considered is Japan losing to them but scoring 4 tries and staying within 7, also they have totally discounted Samoa who have to play all three teams, those results could be massive in the group.
Group A wide open and just what The World Cup needs!
WHAT A GREAT PERFORMANCE BY JAPAN. EVEN THO’ THEY BLEW MY SUPERBRU PICK OUT OF THE WINDOW I WAS THRILLED AT WHAT “MINNOWS” CAN DO WITH A LITTLE SELF BELIEF. CONGRATS TO ALL CONCERNED. 80 MINUTES GONE IN 20.
10/10 as a game of rugby.These blossoms are a joy to watch and so refreshing compared to too much bash bash of European rugby.End of a golden era for the Irish I feel.And Scotland have a real challenge to qualify.
Agree with the Quin, what a game! Ireland looked like they’d walk it at the start, spreading it wide with ease but Japan pulled it back and maintained such an intensity for the 80 minutes. Incredible!
Feel the Ireland performance v Scotland was given too much significance, with some articles looking ahead to potential quarter final lineups involving Ireland and SA. The Japanese clearly had other ideas.
What a result for Japan and a well deserved win. Japan were tenacious as it went on it they were the only team in it.
Ireland were just way too slow to adapt to the game. They were so cynical at the breakdown, constantly off their feet, holding on, in at the side. It was working until the ref caught on and started pinging them for it. When he did they eased off a bit but then played right into Japans hands. I think they took Japan for granted and paid the price. Schmidts “We knew it was potentially coming” comment summed it up for me. They thought there was the “potential” Japan would turn up? Total dis-respect for the Japanese who taught them a lesson. I loved it.
TTD. Doubt that Schmidt would take anyone for granted. Just need to listen to his past, current comments & be aware of his rep for attention to detail & thoroughness to deduce that. Perhaps it’s you who is taking him for granted with yr contentions?
Never forget!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MxlbEtYSTE&t=754
Well done Japan. Best team today.
Ireland went wrong by not scoring more points than Japan. In control with 2 1st 1/2 tries, they then gave away too many pens when Japan climbed back into into the breakdown. Unable to break through Japanese defence with R1. More creativity, variety required, esp in the back line? Yet to be seen if Japan are favs to win the group though. Last WC the Jocks knocked them over following that Saffa win, so will history repeat? 1 hit wonders again? Japan still have it to do & the Jocks may fancy their chances once more. It’s not over for Ireland though. However, with 3 telling losses in the recent past, those oft touted 2/3 wins v NZ seem increasingly irrelevant now as Ireland stand on the brink. Schmidt won’t panic & knows that he needs to win the next game, then the next. Ireland can still qualify, but their reputation must be diminished in the eyes of their future opponents.
Turned down 3 kickable penalties in favour of kicks to the corner. If they’d taken them perhaps they may have won. And they say England are arrogant.
OTiO. Forgot & ltd. Your team have yet to play any one of consequence, so yes, you are arrogant, not to mention ignorant. At least the Irish backed themselves & it wasn’t unreasonable to have expected a push over line out.. much as yr lot base their game. And there are no guarantees with kicks. Didn’t Japan miss a few? BTW, what sort of handle is that?! Did you get it in an unlucky dip?
OIOW, twat!
My team? How presumptuous.
GREYSKULL?
Wondered Acee, but rugby content & absence of schoolboy sexual innuendo?
Pot calling kettle presumptuous? Don’t you have a team then OTrolliO? If so, welcome off the fence & nail yr colours. If not, what are you doing here? Empty vessel?
Full credit has to go to Japan, the were relentless in the second half! So does this Ireland loss show just how bad the Scots were or was it that Japan just that good?? Can someone with a more techincal rugby brain explain to me what has happened to Ireland? In 2018 they were the team bringing the intensity, their pack was unbelievable andf they were (then) looking like serious WC contenders! Its the same personnel and same coaching set up so how have they fallen so far?
Well, it’s 1 game in the WC so far DMaul, but agree that, as it’s a 4th concerning defeat, they may be on the brink.. or blink. Why? Perhaps other teams have worked them out. Tight rush defence, flood the breakdown, hold them at the set piece? Maybe Schmidt has reduced his play to R1, kick & chase since his days with Leinster? Unless dominant up front, they struggle.. like other teams? Perhaps the team have now become demotivated by JS’s ‘control freak’ demeaner, like Simon Zebo did? Other than all that, it’s hard to state. As you’ve alluded to, they seem to have become something of a shell of the team they once were.
A well deserved win for Japan, as legitimately earned as their win over South Africa last time out. This is the best world cup so far in a while, in my view. So many teams capable of beating others on the day. Even Wales managed to hold on against Australia!
I’m really looking forward to seeing Samoa smash Scotland today – redemption for last RWC, where they fluked their way past Samoa, better team on the day.
How good would it be for the game internationally if Japan and Samoa went through from this group??
Ah. Not quite the Samoan demolition of Scotland that I’d been hoping for then…