Up and Under – RWC Special Edition

Up and Under is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week. In this week’s edition ARN has expanded the scope to incorporate all not only the Americas but also from RWC 2019.

 

UP

Japan
RWC 2019 is the most unpredictable of all-time. This can already be said despite the competition being far from half complete. Japan’s 19-12 win over Ireland saw the former world no 1 outplayed and beaten by a well-prepared Japanese team. The win sees Japan now very well placed to reach a first ever RWC Quarter Final.

Argentina
Four first half tries saw Argentina sealing a bonus point win over Tonga early on in the contest. The result takes Los Pumas to six points and sees them presently placed in second position in Pool C. Their upcoming match against England will be Argentina’s Stalingrad. Win it to mark the turning-point in the RWC or lose it to be eliminated as other powers take over.

Uruguay
Los Teros produced the first upset of RWC 2019, shocking Fiji 30-27 in Kamaishi on Wednesday morning. The South Americans were tactically brilliant in the first half as they ran-in three tries. The win came with great commitment as Fiji had 61% possession yet it was Uruguay who controlled the territory stakes with 57% compared to Fiji’s 43%.

England
Leading Pool C with the perfect 10 competition points from two matches played is England. Eddie Jones’ side is the best-placed England team to win a Rugby World Cup since RWC 2003. Not only did England win against Tonga and the USA by convincing margins but they also held firm in defense as they conceded just one try and a total of 10 points.

Italy
At the top of Pool B is Italy. After two RWC matches the Europeans have 10 competition points and have scored more points than all other teams in the competition. Italy was too strong for both Namibia and Canada, and now surely has confidence heading into their next game against South Africa.

South Africa
The Springboks hava 1-1 record thus far in RWC 2019. They rebounded from their loss against New Zealand to defeat Namibia and, in doing so become the first team to score over 50 points in a match. The set-piece is function well and the backs and forwards are all playing excellent rugby. South Africa are very well placed not only for the Quarter Finals but as a title contender.

Wales
Playing twice this past week was Wales. The Western British side defeated Georgia on Monday and Australia on Saturday to move into top spot of Pool D. With remaining matches against Fiji, and Uruguay the Welsh are very well positioned to reach the Quarter Finals and go further.

24-Team Rugby World Cup
Results from Japan 2019 are balanced in favor of tournament expansion from 20 to 24 teams. With a new format of six pools of four all matches from the same groups will be able to be played on the same day to level out the rest days. Romania, and Spain are ranked higher than Russia, Canada, and Namibia. Portugal are also above Namibia while Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, and Kenya are leading contenders from their respective reasons. The conditions are ripe for World Rugby to sign it into reality in December.

Felipe Berchesi
Felipe Berchesi is just 1 points away from the Uruguayan RWC record. In scoring 15 points against Fiji and 2 against Georgia the fly half tied the RWC record for a Uruguayan. He is now equal to Diego Aguirre who scored 17 at RWC 1999 and 13 at RWC 2003. One point against Australia or Wales will see Berchesi claiming two Uruguayan records – most points at a RWC; and most RWC points overall.

Agustín Creevy
Former Argentine captain Agustín Creevy is one cap away from being the most capped Puma of all time. On Saturday against Tonga he earned his 87th cap to tie the record held by Felipe Contepomi. Creevy’s debut was in 2005 as a flanker against Japan. Now 14 years later he is playing in his third RWC and will remain a Puma in 2020 following his new Jaguares contract. This may see him becoming the first Puma to reach 100 caps.

Julián Montoya
The leading try scorer at RWC 2019 thus far is not a winger, not a Springbok, and not even a back. It is Argentine hooker Julián Montoya. He crossed for one against France and three against Tonga. Argentina has six thus far with Santiago Carreras and Guido Petti having scored one each.

 

UNDER

Canada
In what was one of the lowest points in the proud history of Canadian rugby the North Americans were dismantled by Italy, losing 48-7 in their opening RWC match. It was Italy’s secondmatch  and there was some player fatigue. Despite this they were far superior. Errors cost Canada such as Matt Heaton’s knock-on after Tyler Ardron had put him over for a regulation try.

USA
The 2019 USA Eagles are a far better side than what they offered in their 45-7 loss against England. The early injury loss of David Ainu’u was one obstacle that they could not overcome. The well-organized English defense, line-out, maul, and scrum would all complicate matters for the Eagles. There is no reason to panic though as such a performance is unlikely to be repeated.

Fiji
Winless after two matches at RWC 2019 is Fiji. It was not supposed to be this way yet that is what has transpired. The Oceania country has reason to feel angry with the refereeing of Ben O’Keeffe but the second loss was all about the spirit of Uruguay. Fiji must improve for their matches against Georgia, and Wales.

Australia
Ironically Fiji’s loss to Uruguay may have helped Australia. It means that the Wallabies remain in second place of Pool D and will reach the Quarter Finals with wins over Georgia, and Uruguay. Australia’s performances thus far have been a pass mark though the constant complaining from the staff, captain, and Australian rugby pundits is getting old fast.

Ireland
When RWC 2019 began Ireland was ranked first in the world and had many talking up their chances. Two games into the RWC and Ireland has a 1-1 record. They impressed against Scotland only to blow a 12-3 lead and lose against the Japanese. Suddenly a Quarter Final against New Zealand is what awaits Ireland. First, though they need to beat Samoa, and Russia.

Namibia
The Africans had their moments in their opening game against Italy. In their second it was different as South Africa was far too good in all aspects of play. Namibia did not threaten the try line and was forced to tackle for long periods. Despite this the loss was by 57 points, a margin of at least 25 less than what would have been in a corresponding match in prior RWCs.

Russia
The first team to play two matches is also the first team to lose two matches. The Bears started well against both Japan, and Samoa but would fall to defeat, losing both games without claiming a bonus point. They now face a major challenge in acquiring a bonus point in their remaining matches against Ireland and Scotland.

Samoa
After a comfortable won over the outclassed Russians, Samoa flopped against Scotland, scoring zero points and appearing unorganized and undisciplined. Off the field they may complain that the judiciary has been unforgiving, but on the field they have nobody but themselves to blame for what was likely their worst ever World Cup performance.

TMO and Samoa
What a controversial mess the officiating was for Russia vs Samoa. Two reckless and dangerous high tackled from Samoan hooker Motu Matu’u and center Rey Lee-Lo went unpunished. Both were red cards and both were first half offenses. Samoa were behind at half-time meaning Russia against 13 may have resulted in an upset. Instead Russia gained nothing but Samoa’s remaining opponents did.

RWC Rest Days
Russia played Japan on the opening day of RWC 2019 on Friday, September 20. After three rest days they played for the second time, doing so against Samoa who played their first match. Uruguay had to endure the same thing in their matches against Fiji, and Georgia as did other countries. RWC Pools of five teams has run its course.

Pumas Centers
Argentine centers Jerónimo de la Fuente and Matías Orlando have not lit up the World Cup. Neither player has been able to make line-breaks of operate as an effective ball-carrier. They have also committed regular knock-ons which has cost Argentina potential tries. With Matías Moroni playing wing rather than his true position of outside center it sees a flat attack with Moroni being limited in speed similar to Horacio Agulla on the wing rather than being the danger of Santiago Cordero or Juan Imhoff.

John Quill
Eagles flanker John Quill was red carded in the second half for foul play and subsequently appeared before an independent judiciary committee earlier today having breached Law 9.13 (dangerous tackle). Having been banned for playing for three weeks the only way for him to play again in RWC 2019 is for the USA to reach the Quarter Finals.

Facundo Gattas
Uruguayan hooker Facundo Gattas is awaiting the outcome of his citing. He was red carded in Sunday’s match against Georgia. Wayne Barnes (England) sent off Gattas for committing foul play contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackle) in the 77th minute.

Ed Fidow
The Samoan winger was sent off late in the game against Scotland after receiving his second yellow card. The first yellow was for cynical play, the second foul play. This comes after he was received a warning from the citing commissioner for a punch in the game against Russia. His World Cup could well be over.