Pool A - NZ v Japan

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All Blacks romp to 13-try victory 

 

Owen Franks of the All Blacks scrummages during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Japan at Waikato Stadium on September 16, 2011 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

( September 15, 2011 - Photos by Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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By Gregor Paul

- APNZ

All Blacks 83

Japan 7

Finally a World Cup blow out and any nerves about injuries and erratic work by the All Blacks have been kicked to touch.

Booted into the back row of the stands as there was a pleasing assurance about the way the All Blacks went about their business. The forwards resisted the temptation to see the whole thing as a bit of pass and giggle and kept their structure; kept their senses on high alter at the tackled ball and ratcheted things up quite significantly at the scrum.

*

Japan, hardly the biggest rugby side in the World Cup, were given a taste of black medicine that will have been hard to swallow. Such was the All Black power in the set-piece that there were times when it was hard not to be genuinely fearful for the well being of the Japanese players.

Bigger, tougher scrums than the Japanese lie ahead for the All Blacks so they will have been delighted to charge through so convincingly.

The performance was always more important than the result. That the All Blacks were going to win was never in doubt despite the way Japan troubled France in their opening game.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10752332

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Koji Taira of Japan is tackled by Conrad Smith

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next test:

9-21

 Japan v Tonga

Whangarei

*

9-24

NZ v France

Auckland

****

Pool C - USA v Russia

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USA resist Russian charge

John van der Giessen (L) of USA gathers the loose ball as Denia Antonov of Russia and Hayden Smith of USA contest a lineout during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Russia and the USA at Stadium Taramaki on September 15, 2011 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

( September 14, 2011 - Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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The USA held on for a 13-6 win over World Cup debutants Russia in an enthralling encounter in New Plymouth on Thursday.

The USA led 10-3 at the break thanks to a fantastic try from scrum-half Mike Petri but had to wait until deep in the second half to add a penalty to give themselves some breathing room.

Despite what the scoreline might suggest, there was plenty of good rugby on offer. Unfortunately the very wet conditions did not help as driving rain, in the second half in particular, made handling very difficult.

Man of the match: The US dominated the breakdown zone and Mike MacDonald put in plenty of graft as well as being solid at scrum time.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7177957,00.html

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next test:

9-20

Russia v Italy

Nelson

*

9-23

USA v Australia

Wellington

****



Pool D - Samoa v Namibia

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Samoa open with a bang

 

Prop Sakaria Taulafo of Samoa is hauled down by the Namibia defence during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Samoa and Namibia at Rotorua International Stadium on September 14, 2011 in Rotorua, New Zealand.

( September 13, 2011 - Photos by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Samoa got their Rugby World Cup campaign underway in emphatic fashion, after demolishing Namibia 49-12 at Rotorua International Stadium on Wednesday.
Samoa speedster Alesani Tuilagi bagged a hat-trick to help his team along to a comprehensive six-tries-to-two Pool D win.
The islanders simply had too much pace and power for the African minnows, with Wales, Fiji and the Springboks having been interested spectators of the performance.
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Man of the match: Blockbusting wing Alesana Tuilagi signalled his star power with Samoa's first World Cup hat-trick, but it was exciting flank Maurie Faasavalu who really caught the eye without having to score a try. He was just everywhere!
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_7175476,00.html
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next test:
9-18
Samoa v Wales
Hamilton
*
9-22
Nambia v SA
Auckland
****

Pool B - Scotland v Georgia

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Scotland grind past Georgia

Rory Lamont of Scotland is tackled during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Scotland and Georgia at Rugby Park Stadium on September 14, 2011 in Invergargill, New Zealand.

( September 13, 2011 - Photos by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac)

**

Scotland made heavy work of their second World Cup win on Wednesday, labouring to a 15-6 win over Georgia in Invercargill in probably the worst game so far in the 2011 World Cup.

Four penalties and a drop-goal from Dan Parks were enough to hand Scotland four pool points in a try-less encounter in wet conditions.

After struggling to get the better of Romania in their opening fixture on Saturday, Scotland once again failed to impress against a side playing rather negative rugby.

Opportunities were not lacking for Scotland, but their poor execution suggests that they will struggle to make the quarter-finals.  

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7175597,00.html

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next test:

9-18

Georgia v England

Dunedin

*

9-25

Scotland v Argentina

Wellington

****

 

 

 

 

Pool A - Canada v Tonga

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Canada get the better of Tonga

Adam Kleeberger of Canada lifts William Helu of Tonga during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Tonga and Canada at Northland Events Centre on September 14, 2011 in Whangarei, New Zealand.

( September 13, 2011 - Photos by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images AsiaPac)

**

Canada opened their World Cup account with a deserved 25-20 win over crowd favourites Tonga in Whangarei on Wednesday.

The Canucks outscored Tonga three tries to two in a cracking game, and were full value for their win after leading 10-7 at half-time.
The islanders bounced back in the second half though and looked on course for their first victory after losing to New Zealand in last Friday's opening World Cup match. Tonga centre Siale Piutau picked up his second try while Kurt Morath chipped away at the lead.
However, Canada had other ideas and stormed back in front thanks to tries from number eight Aaron Carpenter and wing Phil Mackenzie.
With just a converted try to win the match, Tonga pushed hard until the final whistle but were unable to breach Canada's rock-solid defence.
The defeat now leaves the Tongans with a mountain to climb in Pool A, after suffering back-to-back defeats in the tournament.
*
Man of the match: Tough one. For Tonga, a brace from Siale Piutau wasn't enough to see his side through. And for Canada, Ander Monro and Phil Mackenzie shone in the backs while Aaron Carpenter stood out in the forwards. But not as tall as flank Adam Kleeberger who got through a mountain of work for his team in a tireless performance.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7175537,00.html
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next test:
9-18
Canada v France
Napier
*
9-21
Tonga v Japan
Whangarei
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Official RWC 2011 Heineken TVC

Pool C - Ireland v USA

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Ireland battle to win over USA

Takudzwa Ngwenya of USA runs with the ball during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Ireland and the USA on September 11, 2011 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

( September 10, 2011 - Photos by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Ireland got their World Cup campaign off to a stuttering start with a 22-10 win over USA at the Taranaki Stadium in New Plymouth on Sunday.

The match was played in rainy conditions and although Ireland held the upper hand in most facets of play, they struggled to breach their opponents' defence.

They only scored three tries, which means that they failed to secure a bonus point.

Ireland's forwards illustrated their dominance with the first scrum of the match when they shoved their opponents off the ball and that scene was repeated on numerous occasions during the rest of the match.

*

Man of the match: Ireland's front-row of Mike Ross, Rory Best and Tom Court for the demolition job they did on the USA pack in the scrums.

Moment of the match: The 40th minute when Tommy Bowe got in for the opening try of the match. Up to that point Ireland were kept out by a fine defensive effort from USA.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7169484,00.html

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Paul O'Connell of Ireland wins the line out

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next test:

9-15

USA v Russia

New Plymouth

*

9-17

Ireland v Australia

Auckland

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