The second round of the World Cup guaranteed plenty of excitement for fans and coaches alike. With the big guns like New Zealand and Australia struggling, and sides like Samoa and Scotland standing up to be counted, the race for finals’ spots suddenly seemed something more than a one or two horse race. Whilst the ‘upstart’ nations would be seeking to keep their form up, the big guns needed to ammend their attitude woes or face ignoble ejection.
Prince Of AA/TSI
A fantastic second half from young gun, Scott Prince, has lifted AA/TSI to a 24-6 win over a tenacious Russian side. The Russians defended grimly in the first half, whilst AA/TSI errors meant it was only 4-0 at the break. But Prince, along with Parramatta’s Dean Widders- rallied to lead the side to its first World Cup win.
AA/TSI: Rhys Wesser, Scott Prince 2, Robbie O’Davis, and Dean Widders. Webb 2/6
Russia: Dayne Neirinckx. Gavrilin 1/1
PoM Points: Scott Prince 3, Dean Widders 2, and Rhys Wesser 1.
By George! Aussies Bounce Back
After last week’s shock loss to South Africa, Australia needed not only to defeat France today, but also to defeat them well and resurrect their differential. But despite all of their good intentions, the Australias were matched by France at every turn, up 12-6 at halftime and 22-10 into the second half. It was then that the Gold Coast’s Grand Final hero, George Smith, injected himself and dominated his smaller oppositions. When the smoke cleared and the whistle blew, an ecstatic Australian crowd were witness to a 40-10 domination of the French.
Australia: Matthew Gidley 2, Craig Wing, Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer 2, and George Smith. Johns 6/7
France: Christophe Lamaisson and Freddie Banquet. Tallic 1/1. DuFour 1/1
PoM Points: George Smith 3, Jason Ryles 2, and Andrew Johns 1.
Wilkinson Boots England Home
It sounds like a Rugby Union headline, but the boot of Jonny Wilkinson was all that separated the English Lions from their opponents, a plucky US Tomahawks side. Both sides scored a brace of tries, but poor discipline and long range kicking from ‘Wilko’ lead the English to a 25-16 win. But Wilkinson’s involvement wasn’t only with the boot, the Gold Coast sensation brilliant once he hit the field. In his absence Danny Orr deputised with flare.
England: Keith Senior and Paul Deacon. Orr 2/2. Wilkinson 6/6. Orr 1 fg.
USA: Christian Rahui and Ed Woodbridge. Opan 3/3
PoM Points: Jonny Wilkinson 3, Danny Orr 2, and Stuart Fielden 1.
Beware Samoan Passion
The Irish Wolfhounds may have won the game today, but they learnt first hand just why the Samoans and their Tongan neighbours are feared opponents in international football. Up 28-6 with twenty minutes to go, most could forgive the Irish for playing safety first football, but the ploy seemed to lift their opponents, and the Samoans stormed back to be down 28-18 with eight minutes to go. It was as close as they got, over-enthusiasm manifesting itself as poor handling. But the Irish had received a real wake-up call after last week’s easy win.
Ireland: Brian Carney, Brian O’Driscroll 2, and Chris McKenna. Humphrys 6/7
Samoa: Henry Faafili 2 and Inoke Ratudina. Ratudina 3/4
PoM Points: Brian Carney 3, Inoke Ratudina 2, and Frank Puletua 1.
Europe Hit a Half Century
The ‘game of two halves’ cliche was especially true in today’s clash between Europe and Japan. A classic first half showcased plenty of free-flowing football from both sides, with a try on halftime giving the Europeans a slender 18-12 lead. But the second half was an entirely different tale, the Europeans turning on the flare and supplying some dominant defence to record a 50-18 win, the biggest victory in World Cup history.
Japan: Jun Kanazewa, Azuze Hiraka, and Ichiro Nazuki. Tirohara 3/3
Europe: Clinton Schifcofske, Allianya Takawira 2, Matthew Rieck 2, Narem Ekhbatana, Scott Magro 2, and John Skandalis. Takawira 7/10
PoM Points: Allianya Takawira 3, Scott Magro 2, and Brent Sherwin 1.
New Zealand Are Back
After last week’s humiliating loss to Fiji, New Zealand and coach Marshal Boyd needed to win this week and keep on winning. They’ve made the first step, out-classing a desperately un-skilled Lebanese out-fit to record a 38-12 win, their biggest in recent months. Christian Cullen played his finest game since switching codes, running angles and passing touch-down passes like he’d be playing the game his entire life.
New Zealand: Nathan Cayless 2, Robbie Paul, Tony Puletua, Joe Galavao, and Richard Swain. Mehrtens 7/7
Lebanon: Romeo Magro and Michael Coorey. El Masri 2/3
PoM Points: Christian Cullen 3, Nathan Cayless 2, and Andrew Mehrtens 1.
Papua New Guinea Kick Off WC Campaign
Paupa New Guinea have put their shock loss to France behind them, hammering world minnows Cook Islands 36-4 to get things back on track. The Kumuls need to keep winning and for either South Africa or Australia to drop another game to make the finals, but did their campaign plenty of good with the dominant hit out.
Papua New Guinea: Marcus Bai, Jake Luana, Stanley Tepend 2, David Furlongu, David Raelke, and Graham Luana. Luana 4/7
Cook Islands: Ali Williams. Paul 0/1
PoM Points: Graham Luana 3, Stanley Tepend 2, and Christian Bai 1.
Welsh Heartbreak
The Welsh Dragons are now only a distant chance of a World Cup finals appearance, after Scott Logan and Chris Logan lifted the Scottish to a 14-12 upset win over the struggling Dragons. Chris Logan simply dominated the Welsh forwards, whilst brother and captain, Scott, crashed over for the match-winner in the 72nd minute from a brilliant Danny Arnold grubber.
Wales: Wes Davies and Kris Tassel. Eaton 2/3
Scotland: Scott Logan and Gordon Ross. Ross 3/4
PoM Points: Chris Logan 3, Danny Arnold 2, and Wes Davies 1.
GROUP A
Papua New Guinea- 2/1/1/0/44/23/+21/ 2 points
Australia- 2/1/1/0/56/39/+17/ 2 points
South Africa- 1/1/0/0//29/16/+13/ 2 points
France- 1/1/1/0/0/29/48/-19/ 2 points
Cook Islands- 1/0/1/0/36/4/-32/ 0 points
GROUP B
Ireland- 2/2/0/0/62/18/+44/ 4 points
Europe- 2/2/0/0/60/26/+34/ 4 points
Samoa- 2/0/2/0/26/38/-12/ 0 points
Japan- 1/0/1/0/18/50/-32/ 0 points
Germany- 1/0/1/0/0/34/-34/ 0 points
GROUP C
Scotland- 2/2/0/0/40/14/+26/ 4 points
Tonga- 1/1/0/0/24/22/+2/ 2 points
AA/TSI- 2/1/1/0/26/32/-6/ 2 points
Wales- 2/0/2/0/34/38/-4/ 0 points
Russia- 1/0/1/0/4/26/-22/ 0 points
GROUP D
England- 2/2/0/0/63/20/+43/ 4 points
Fiji- 1/1/0/0/28/10/+18/ 2 points
New Zealand- 2/1/1/0/48/40/+8/ 2 points
USA- 1/0/1/0/16/25/-9/ 0 points
Lebanon- 2/0/2/0/18/76/-58/ 0 points
