Up and Under

The Up and Under is a weekly feature on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.

UP

Japan
A spectacular, brilliant, unforgettable win against all odds by the world’s leading Asian nation over the best from Africa was a dream come true for the sport of rugby. Japan’s never-say-die 34-32 last-gasp win is a big deal, especially in their own country, the host nation of the next Rugby World Cup.

Georgia
With Japan beating such a powerful team, a lot of gloss was taken off an earlier result in the day. While the levels of the teams was far closer, make no mistake a 17-10 win over Tonga was truly an outstanding accomplishment. Georgia’s next game is against Argentina with the South Americans needing the win to avoid a premature elimination. The teams know each other very well from previous World Cups and their forward battle will be a clash of the titans.

20 Team World Cup
The argument can at long last be put to bed. A return to a 16 team World Cup no longer has merit in any way, shape, or form. Not only did Japan pull off the result of a lifetime, but Georgia also overcame Tonga while Uruguay lost by the same margin to Wales that Canada did against Ireland. The weekend was a time to celebrate the global game and not question but embrace future opportunities. A 24-team World Cup may now be a step closer to reality.

Argentina
A ten point loss against the All Blacks may, at first, appear to be nothing to put on the Up list but the reality is New Zealand sneaked in the win with the replacements delivering and Argentina suffering from losing four forwards to injuries. Indeed two hookers were on at one point, one forced to play flanker. Argentina had been 16-10 ahead and in control, and this with a much younger team than the All Blacks. The French and Irish media both praised Argentina’s performance. Should Argentina overcome Georgia, Tonga, and Namibia, Los Pumas will face Pool D winner, likely the winner of France v Ireland.

World Rugby Videos
World Rugby must be congratulated on the extremely good job being done to update the organization’s YouTube channel. It is complete with highlights of all of the matches in addition to post match interviews and other goodies. To think that in 2007 the service came at a cost and offered less.

UNDER

South Africa
The bully tactics of South African rugby have brought many victories over the years, but Japan was able to withstand it and utilize smaller and faster players to create opportunities throughout. Suggesting South Africa played poorly would simply be wrong. The Springboks played well, but they were unprepared for the Japanese game plan. That said, a few Springboks looked their age – notably Matfield and de Villiers.

Canada
Ireland had wrapped up the win and the four try bonus point in no time with Canada well below par in the opening half. The North Americans improved in the second, proving far more competitive and scoring a try against the run of play, though they slipped away once more in the final minutes. Losing 50-7 underlined the current standing of of the two sides, possibly further apart than ever before.

USA
The Eagles did not play to their best and, unlike Canada, were playing against a side which their supporters had the expectation of defeating. The North Americans were close and matched Samoa with two tries apiece. Ultimately, though, the Pacific Islanders made fewer errors and were more in tune to the demands of the referee. On a positive note, Chris Wyles scored the try of the day, and arguably best of the tournament thus far.

Italy
The Azzurri were not good enough on Saturday night in London. They were comprehensively outplayed at the breakdown by the French back row. The loss to injury of Andrea Masi compounded the performance which saw France gain four competition points and Italy zero. It realistically means that Italy cannot lose again. Next up is Canada who are targeting a win in Leeds.

England v Fiji
Neither England nor Fiji sparked on the opening night. The Opening Ceremony was quite the spectacle but the match itself has quickly been forgotten. England failed to spark and the Fijians were also far from playing to their best. The organizers really ought to have had Australia playing England to open the tournament. Good games on Saturday and Sunday have thankfully rescued a subdued start.