RWC 2023 round two matches sees teams solidify their position

By: |
Stade de la Beaujoire, one of the RWC 2023 venues

The Rugby World Cup 2023 round two matches saw most teams solidify their position in their respective pools.

The pools have teams that have the upper hand of featuring in the quarterfinals. Teams leading the pools have so far had two out of two wins in their respective pools.

RWC 2023 round two matches overview

POOL A 

Pool A RWC 2023 round two matches sees France solidify their first place and New Zealand having to fight off with Italy for a chance for the second place with both having one win each but New Zealand having played two matches compared to Italy’s one.

France unconvincingly beat Uruguay 27-12 boosting their chances of finishing top of Pool A

France inched a step closer to top pool A after beating an inspired Uruguay side 27-12 in Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille. Fabien Galthie made 12 changes to his starting line up which faced the All Blacks for their game against the Los Teros.

Uruguay who were playing their first RWC 2023 match made the second string France side toil desperately for their points. The Les Bleus were first on the scoreboard after Melvyn Jaminet converted a penalty after Uruguay’s Sanguinetti collapsed a scrum giving the host a 3-0 lead.

The Los Teros responded three minutes later after a cross field pass by Uruguay’s fly half Fellipe Etcheverry’s pass was collected by Nicholas Freitas to land a try on the left wing. The conversion was charged down and Los Teros had a 5-3 lead. A masterclass by Antoine Hastoy enabled him to go past the Uruguay defenders to score the host’s first converted try taking the scores to 10-5. Jaminet was at it again, scoring a penalty at the 15-minute taking the scores to 13-5.    

Los Teros had Etcheverry’s try overturned by the Television Match Official[TMO] after an obstruction by Inciarte was spotted that could have led to a tackle. France’s Romain Taifenua was sent off after a shoulder charge made contact with Arata’s head. Both teams put powerful defense and settled on a 13-5 score heading to the half time break.

Eight minutes into the second half, Baltazar Amaya showed his seven’s prowess and burst through space scoring Uruguay’s second try reducing the deficit to 13-12. However, Uruguay’s try was canceled out after Les Bleus responded immediately through Mauvaka who collected a flustered kick by Etcheverry which hit his own player scoring a second converted try for the hosts extending the scores to 20-12. France’s youngster Louis Bielle- Biarrey had the last say scoring his first converted try extending the hosts lead to 27-12.

New Zealand unapologetically blow off Namibia to register their first win in the RWC 2023

The All Blacks bounced back to winning ways after blowing off Namibia 71-3 in Toulouse. Ian Forster made nine changes to his side which lost to France in the opening match to hosts France. New Zealand started off powerfully as Roigard crossed over in just 90 seconds for their first try. Five minutes later he grabbed his brace after he crossed over for his second in the game.

New Zealand did not waste any time as McKenzie and Leicester Fainga’nuku crossed over for the third and fourth try respectively. Namibia were at the receiving end as the All Blacks continued piling pressure which resulted in McKenzie landing his second try for the night. Lienert-Brown concluded the first half scoring the sixth try for his side.

The All Blacks picked up from where they left with De Groot, Dalton Papali’i and David Havili scoring before the hour mark. Even though New Zealand had crossed the bonus point score they continued their onslaught on an already bruised Namibian side. Caleb Clarke scored for his side’s tenth try.

Despite the win, the three time RWC winners were dealt a blow after Ethan DeGroot was red carded. However, the red card did not deter them from controlling the game. A Rieko Ioane try concluded the scores for the day. New Zealand will be out to solidify their position in the top two spots. 

POOL A STANDINGS

POOL B

RWC 2023 round two matches  has seen Ireland and South Africa solidify their top two spots. The two heavyweights will be seeking to outdo each other in matchday three to see who will take the top spot.

Johnny Sexton sets a new record with Ireland’s bonus point win over Tonga

Johnny Sexton set a new record in their 59-16 win over a physical Tongan side. The Irish men made another bold statement win in Stade de la Beaujoire (pictured above) solidifying their position for a quarter final spot. Ireland landed seven tries in a heavily physical match.  

Sexton and William converted early penalties for their sides in the opening minutes. Ireland ‘s prop Andrew Porter opening was ruled out after TMO spotted Hansen’s knock on in the try’s build up. However, this did not deter the six nation champions as Bierne was able to burst through Tonga’s defense scoring a converted try taking the scores to 10-3. Havili was able to cut down the deficit after kicking in a penalty taking the scores to 10-6.

Hardly had the deficit been cut than Ireland landed a try through Doris who went over for the side’s second try. Hansen burst through the red jersey slotting Ireland’s third try.

Ireland’s captain Sexton scored the fourth try granting his side a bonus point score after bursting through Tonga’s defense. He added the conversion and was replaced just before half time by Ross Byrne. Tonga were able to fight back and benefitted from Peter O’Mahony’s sin bin and Fifita crossed over for the pacific Islander first try. The Irish’s thirst for tries was heavily evident in the second half. Successive tries from Lowe from a maul and a double by an in form Bundee Aki propelled Ireland far from reach.

Despite being denied a try in the opening half, Herring went over for the side’s final score wrapping up the victory for Ireland. Ireland will now shift their focus on the RWC 2019 title holders for the top of the pool clash on Saturday. This will be a mouth watering clash and is likely to highlight round three of fixtures.

South Africa run riot on Romania to maintain their winning streak

South Africa beat a struggling Romania 76-0 in their hunt for a fourth title maintaining their winning streak in the RWC 2023.

The World champions went all out scoring 33 points before halftime. The Boks set a record in the RWC 2023 as they scored four tries earning a bonus point in just under 12 minutes the quickest any team has ever achieved in the tournament.

Tries from Cobus Reinach [two], Makazole Mapimpi, and Damian Willemse in the opening half propelled them past the Romanian side. Reinach completed his hattrick later on in the half recording the fastest hattrick in this year’s tournament in just 24 minutes but second to his hattrick in RWC 2019 where he did it in 21 minutes against Canada.

Mapimpi completed his own hattrick after scoring two more ties in the second half. Their 76-0 win places them second in their pool and will face the number one ranked in the top of the pool clash this weekend.  

POOL B STANDINGS

POOL C

RWC 2023 round two matches in Pool C had entertaining fixtures as the top three teams will have to wait for the third round to solidify their position in a highly coveted top two spot.

Resilient Fiji beat Eddie Jones Wallabies for the first time in 69 years

The flying Fijians beat the Wallabies 22-15 to earn their side a maiden victory after a 69 year wait in St Etienne. The Fijians caused their first upset of the tournament  and exacted their RWC 2019 revenge on the Wallabies. The last time Fiji beat the Wallabies was way back in 1954 and their win in pool C will have a big impact on the final pool placement and it will require maximum point score to determine which team will proceed to the quarterfinals.

Fiji improved in their discipline being penalized only seven times compared to the Australian’s 18. Simione Kuruvoli’s kicking was exceptional kicking in five out five penalties. A try by Mark Nawaqanitawase gave the Wallabies a ray of hope.

However, an inform Joshua Tuisova crashed his way for the Fijians only try early in the second half stretching the scores to 22-8. A late try by Lalakai Foketi cut the points to 22-15. However, it was a little too late for the Wallabies side as the Flying Fijians held on to earn their first pool C win. Fiji moved to second place tying with Australia with five points. Wallabies will now shift their focus on Wales in the coming weekend.

Wales beat Portugal to keep their quarterfinal dream alive 

Warren Gatland’s charges beat Portugal 28-8 to solidify their first position in pool C. Wales had a late withdrawal coming to this match after Jac Morgan was ruled out with Tommy Reffel slotting in for him. Wales were the first to get to the scoreboard in the ninth minute after Morgan fed the ball to winger Rees Zammit who kicked the ball beating his defender and gathered the ball scoring Wales first try.

Portugal piled pressure on the Welsh side thwarting any attempt to go past their defense line. Additionally, they put up a strong lineout and scrum despite the Welsh side being slightly heavier.  Wales were dealt a blow after Johnny Williams was sin binned.

The game proved to be a tight fixture and it was not until the 37-minute that they were able to convert a penalty through Samuel Marques for a 7-3 trail. However this was short lived after Wales skipper Dewi Lake went over just before half time extending their lead to 14-3. 

The second half started in a scrappy manner as both teams were unable to assert themselves. It was not until the 57-minute when Wales camped at the Os Lobos (Portugal) 22 and it paid off when Jac Morgan drove over the line for a Wales try. Infringement by the Os Lobos resulted in Wales being awarded a penalty which they converted for a 21-3 lead.

Portugal were not going down easily as Nicolas Martin went over for their first try  reducing the deficit to 21-8. The support by the fans in the stadium propelled them forward. Gareth Davies’ try was overruled after TMO spotted an obstruction in the build up.

The Portuguese were dealt a blow after winger Pinto was sin binned after a high boot was spotted while he was collecting a ball from a kick off. Taulupe Faletau grabbed a score in the dying minutes handing Wales a much anticipated bonus point win.

Pinto’s yellow card was upgraded to a red card after an off-field review. Wales sit at the top of pool C with Fiji and Australia in second and third respectively. Wales will hope to solidify their position in the weekend when they face Australia. 

POOL C STANDINGS

Pool D

RWC 2023 round two matches in Pool D see England solidify their position after beating Japan taking the first spot. Samoa, Argentina and Japan will hope to grab a position for this year’s RWC 2023.

Manu Samoa begin the RWC 2023 campaign with a statement win over Chile

Manu Samoa began their RWC 2023 campaign with a convincing 43-10 win over Chile as they try to solidify their place in pool D. Samoa started on the right foot after Leali’ifano scored a penalty giving them a 3-0 lead in just three minutes.

However, the lead was short lived after Dittus barged over for the Chileans first try after a series of pick and go taking the lead to 3-7.

Samoa cut down the lead to 6-7 after Leali’ifano converted a penalty. Samoa’s persistent charge at the Chileans paid off after they were awarded a penalty after an offside infringement by Chile and Leali’ifano for 9-7 lead. Garafulic converted a penalty at the half hour mark granting Chile a 9-10 lead. Manu Samoa were able to retake the lead six minutes later after Leali’ifano converted a penalty for a 12-10 lead. Samoa were able to score a converted try just before half time through Paia’aua taking the scores to 19-10 at half time.

The second half was an all Samoan affair as Tau Mateire, Lee Malolo [two] tries were enough to grant Samoa a 43-10 win in their pool D opening match. Chile woes continue as they find themselves at the bottom of the pool.

England unconvincingly beat Japan to earn their second RWC 2023

England were able to solidify their top spot in pool D after a rather unconvincing 34-12 win over the Brave Blossom.

More details: https://lastwordonsports.com/rugby/2023/09/18/england-won-ugly-momentum-growing-pool-d/

POOL D STANDINGS

RWC 2023 round two matches saw teams solidify their positions in their pools. Tier one rugby teams dominated in their RWC 2023 round two matches over tier two teams. Some pools will have to wait for RWC 2023 round three matches to determine who will top their respective pools and the runners up.

Upcoming RWC 2023 fixtures

Wednesday Sep 20,2023 Italy vs Uruguay             Nice

Thursday,   Sep 21 , 2023 France vs Namibia        Marseille

Friday,   Sep 22 , 2023 Argentina vs Samoa           Saint- Etienne

Saturday, Sep 23, 2023 Georgia vs Portugal          Toulouse

Saturday, Sep 23 , 2023 England vs Chile                Lille

Saturday, Sep 23 , 2023 South Africa vs Ireland    Paris

Sunday, Sep 24 , 2023 Scotland vs Tonga                 Nice

Sunday, Sep 24 , 2023 Wales vs Australia                 Lyon

 

Fixtures courtesy of Rugby World Cup 2023.

 

Photo credit to Chabe01.

Photo credit: Chabe01 on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Post Views: 24

England won ugly yet momentum growing; RWC Pool D
Paris Olympics 2024: Kenya 7s down South Africa 7s to earn direct ticket to the Olympics