With the Guinness PRO12 on a brief hiatus to allow us to enjoy all the riches of the Rugby World Cup, it’s worth a look at the PRO12 players who stood out in the first round of those World Cup fixtures…
Pro12: World Cup Watch
England 35-11 Fiji
Only one PRO12 representative in Friday night’s opening encounter in the form of Glasgow’s Leone Nakarawa. Admittedly it was a very torrid night for the Fijians, who quite simply ran out of puff at the end of the game, but Nakarawa won’t be too disappointed with his performance, especially getting 80 minutes in the tournament opener.
Tonga 10-17 Georgia
Another game where the two PRO12 players were frustrated with the result: Tongans William Helu (Edinburgh) and Sila Puafisi (Glasgow) couldn’t prevent their side from slipping to a surprise defeat to the giant Georgians. Neither player has featured for their respective Scottish clubs, and based on their opening performances it doesn’t look like there’s too much to be excited about either.
Ireland 50-7 Canada
Ireland were efficient and lethal in their disposal of the Canadians and there were two players to stand out for Joe Schmidt’s side – Leinster’s Jonathan Sexton and Ulster’s Iain Henderson. Sexton reminded the world why he is probably the best playmaker in the world by controlling the game from fly-half with some Ronan O’Gara-esque kicking, while Henderson carried tremendously from lock and definitely staked his claim for the shirt on a regular basis.
There were very few bright spots for Canada in a game they were horrendously outplayed in, but Scarlets fans will be delighted with how winger DTH van der Merwe performed. Already aware of his potential from his Glasgow days, DTH looked sharp with ball in hand and when the opportunity fell his way he was on hand to get Canada’s only score of the match.
South Africa 32-34 Japan
The shock result of the tournament so far and only Ulster’s Ruan Pienaar was part of it as far as the PRO12 is concerned. The scrum-half didn’t do anything wrong, but he will be disappointed that he was pulled from the game just before the halfway point of the second half. That said, he’ll probably be more disappointed by the result.
France 32-10 Italy
The majority of the Italian squad are based in the PRO12, and as such it’s hard to single out one player to praise. I suppose credit goes to Giovanbattista Venditti of Zebre who scored the Azzurri’s only try of the match and Treviso scrum-half Edoardo Gori who was a little threatening, but on a whole it was a forgettable night for Italy made no easier by the constant whistle blowing of Craig Joubert.
Samoa 25-16 United States
Cardiff Blues will be excited for the arrival of Samoa’s Rey Lee-Lo after he played an integral role in their victory over the USA in Brighton on Saturday. He will provide another attacking option for a Blues team that has been in the bottom half of the table for the last few seasons.
Cardiff will also know they are getting a versatile and experienced back in Blaine Scully, and although Sunday perhaps wasn’t his best performance they will take confidence from the fact that he is a quality winger. Greg Peterson has joined a Glasgow side with plenty of talent at lock, and after playing in a side that were bettered all game on Sunday, he may have a while to wait before he breaks in.
Wales 54-9 Uruguay
It was a crushing win, but also a crushing loss for Wales in the shape of extremely impressive centre Cory Allen. The Blues centre was a constant threat to Uruguay and notched up three first half tries before being brought off with a hamstring injury that ends his World Cup. Also impressive were the Ospreys’ Justin Tipuric and Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies who is looking to make that shirt his own in the absence of Rhys Webb.
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