Exciting Day Two in Hong Kong

Day Two in Hong Kong provided several competitive matches and a couple surprises. The USA emerged as the top dogs from the Americas, defeating Argentina and Australia to enter the Cup finals undefeated in pool play. Perry Baker and captain Madison Hughes led the way with some superb running, but the team will have a massive challenge in the quarter final against South Africa as a result of England’s upset win over the Blitzbokke on Day One.

After a promising if disappointing result in their opener against Fiji, Canada once again stumbled against their arch-nemesis Wales with the footballing skills of Jordan Williams showcased against the North Americans. A sloppy win over South Korea would do little to raise Canadian spirits heading into Day Three. Argentina were near carbon-copies, outstripped by the pace of the Eagles and comfortable but frustrated winners over Portugal. The two sides could meet in a Bowl final if they raise their game in the knock-outs.

New Zealand followed up their Day One scare to France with another nail-biter against Kenya, but regained some form against Samoa to come through unbeaten. South Africa erased their mistake against England with two completely dominant wins over Russia and Scotland, but England were shocked by the Russians who ran them even, though the result had no influence on the Cup draw.

Meanwhile the Americas will play no further part in the Core Qualifier competition. Their best chance via Chile was shut down after back-to-back losses against Spain and Zimbabwe. The Caymans bowed out after being blitzed by Germany, and Brazil missed out on a quarter final spot after drawing with Morocco. Mexico will be elated to earn the first ever victory in Hong Kong, just holding on to beat Papua New Guinea by two points.

Hong Kong earned a hugely popular upset over Spain in the quarter final, setting up a semi final with Germany on Sunday. Japan remain favorites but must first get by Zimbabwe to contest the final. All matches will be streamed live by World Rugby.

MAIN DRAW

POOL A
Samoa 0 – 24 Kenya
New Zealand 19 – 17 France
Samoa 24 – 12 France
New Zealand 5 – 0 Kenya
France 17 – 10 Kenya
New Zealand 28 – 10 Samoa

POOL B
Scotland 28 – 15 Russia
South Africa 14 – 21 England
Scotland 0 – 19 England
South Africa 50 – 0 Russia
England 12 – 12 Russia
South Africa 31 – 0 Scotland

POOL C
USA 21 – 5 Portugal
Australia 28 – 0 Argentina
USA 26 – 14 Argentina
Australia 45 – 7 Portugal
Argentina 24 – 0 Portugal
Australia 7 – 22 USA

POOL D
Wales 40 – 14 South Korea
Fiji 19 – 17 Canada
Wales 24 – 10 Canada
Fiji 57 – 0 South Korea
Canada 31 – 14 South Korea
Fiji 36 – 10 Wales

 

CORE QUALIFIERS

POOL E
Zimbabwe 14 – 14 Germany
Hong Kong 43 – 0 Cayman Islands
Zimbabwe 35 – 5 Cayman Islands
Hong Kong 5 – 12 Germany
Germany 48 – 0 Cayman Islands
Zimbabwe 19 – 7 Hong Kong

POOL F
Spain 33 – 0 Papua New Guinea
Chile 29 – 14 Mexico
Spain 41 – 0 Mexico
Chile 19 – 7 Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea 15 – 17 Mexico
Spain 19 – 0 Chile

POOL G
Japan 36 – 0 Brazil
Tonga 17 – 19 Morocco
Japan 45 – 0 Morocco
Tonga 26 – 5 Brazil
Brazil 19 – 19 Morocco
Japan 31 – 0 Tonga

QUARTER FINALS
Spain 7 – 12 Hong Kong
Germany 19 – 14 Morocco
Zimbabwe 19 – 5 Chile
Japan 33 – 0 Tonga

 

DAY THREE FIXTURES

Sat, Apr 9 – 21:30 EST – BOWL QF – France vs South Korea
Sat, Apr 9 – 21:52 EST – BOWL QF – Argentina vs Russia
Sat, Apr 9 – 22:14 EST – BOWL QF – Canada vs Samoa
Sat, Apr 9 – 22:36 EST – BOWL QF – Scotland vs Portugal

Sat, Apr 9 – 22:58 EST – CUP QF – New Zealand vs Wales
Sat, Apr 9 – 23:20 EST – CUP QF – USA vs South Africa
Sat, Apr 9 – 23:42 EST – CUP QF – Fiji vs Kenya
Sun, Apr 10 – 00:04 EST – CUP QF – England vs Australia

Sun, Apr 10 – 00:26 EST – CORE SF – Hong Kong vs Germany
Sun, Apr 10 – 00:48 EST – CORE SF – Zimbabwe vs Japan

Sun, Apr 10 – 01:30 EST – SHIELD SF
Sun, Apr 10 – 01:52 EST – SHIELD SF

Sun, Apr 10 – 02:14 EST – BOWL SF
Sun, Apr 10 – 02:36 EST – BOWL SF

Sun, Apr 10 – 03:00 EST – PLATE SF
Sun, Apr 10 – 03:22 EST – PLATE SF

Sun, Apr 10 – 03:44 EST – CUP SF
Sun, Apr 10 – 04:06 EST – CUP SF

Sun, Apr 10 – 04:30 EST – CORE FINAL
Sun, Apr 10 – 05:00 EST – SHIELD FINAL

Sun, Apr 10 – 05:30 EST – BOWL FINAL
Sun, Apr 10 – 06:00 EST – PLATE FINAL

Sun, Apr 10 – 06:30 EST – BRONZE FINAL
Sun, Apr 10 – 07:00 EST – CUP FINAL