Pool A - New Zealand v Canada

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Twelve-try All Blacks crush Canada

Sonny Bill Williams of the All Blacks looks to offload as he is tackled by Conor Trainor (L) and Aaron Carpenter (R) of Canada during the IRB Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Canada at Wellington Regional Stadium on October 2, 2011 in Wellington, New Zealand.

( October 1, 2011 - Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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The All Blacks reacted to the bad news of the last 24 hours by running twelve tries past Canada to win 79-15 in Wellington on Sunday.
Wing Zac Guildford grabbed four tries as Canada were unable able to cope with the pace at which New Zealand launched attack after attack.
With superstar fly-half Dan Carter having been ruled out of the tournament and captain Richie McCaw forced to watch from the stands due to a foot injury, a big win was just what the doctor ordered.
Top of that list will be the scrum which continues to impress and was rewarded with a push-over try, a rare sight in Test rugby these days.
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It wasn't all bad news for the visitors though as Conor Trainor became the first Canadian to score two tries against the All Blacks. And they were just reward for Canada's efforts - not just at Wellington Regional Stadium, but over the last three weeks.
Man of the match: A few candidates here, and you have to mention Guildford, who not only scored four tries but had a hand in setting up a couple more. But the gong goes to Jerome Kaino, who not only scored two tries of his own, but ruled the breakdown area with an iron fist.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_7217366,00.html
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Jerome Kaino of the All Blacks breaks through the Canada to score his team's eighth try during the IRB Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Canada at Wellington Regional Stadium on October 2, 2011 in Wellington, New Zealand.

( October 1, 2011 - Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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next test:
10-9
NZ v Argentina
Auckland
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NZ finishes 4-0
Canada finishes 1-2-1
****

Pool D - Wales v Fiji

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Wales cruise past Fiji

Leigh Halfpenny of Wales charges forward during the IRB Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Wales and Fiji at Waikato Stadium on October 2, 2011 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

( October 1, 2011 - Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Wales confirmed their place in the World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday with a comfortable 66-0 win over a second-string Fiji side in Hamilton.
Wales secured a four-try bonus point in the first half of a one-sided affair and will now face Ireland in Wellington next Saturday.
Wales went on to run in a total of nine unanswered tries and landed all their kicks in yet another impressive display in both the set-pieces and from their free-running backs.
Fiji arrived with somewhat naive tactics and selected a team based on the concept of "having fun", but they could not have enjoyed being run ragged by a better-organised Welsh side.
Man of the match: Plenty of names to choose from with two-try Roberts and skipper Warburton strong candidates. But the official award went to barnstorming wing George North for his eye-catching runs and offloads. We won't argue.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_7217400,00.html
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George North of Wales charges forward during the IRB Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Wales and Fiji at Waikato Stadium on October 2, 2011 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

( October 1, 2011 - Photo by Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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next test:
10-2
Wales v Ireland
Wellington
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Wales finishes 3-1
Fiji finishes 1-3
****

Pool B - Argentina v Georgia

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Pumas get the job done

Irakli Abuseridze of Georgia passes during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Argentina and Georgia at Arena Manawatu on October 2, 2011 in Palmerston North, New Zealand.
( October 1, 2011 - Photo by Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Argentina laboured to a 25-7 win over Georgia at Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North on Sunday, to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Any hope Scotland may have had of sneaking into the last eight through the back door, was shut in their face following the Pumas' three tries to one victory in Pool B.
As the scoreline reflects, Georgia put up a brave fight and at times another World Cup upset looked on the cards - especially after leading Argentina by two points (5-7) at half-time.
However, the South Americans scored 20 unanswered points after the break that included a 67th minute try to skipper Felipe Contepomi and another by replacement Agustín Gosio on the stroke of full-time to put the result beyond doubt.
But whilst Argentina march on to face the injury-hit All Blacks in next weekend's knockout clash, the Georgians leave New Zealand with their pride intact.
Man of the match: Pumas loose forward Juan Manuel Leguizamón was a tireless figure for 80 minutes.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_7217128,00.html
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next test:
10-9

Argentina v NZ

Auckland

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Argentina finishes 3-1

Georgia finishes 1-3

****

Pool A - France v Tonga

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Tonga shock woeful France

Prop Soane Tonga'uiha of Tonga charges upfield during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and Tonga at Wellington Regional Stadium on October 1, 2011 in Wellington, New Zealand.

( September 30, 2011 - Photos by Stu Forster/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Tonga produced the biggest upset of the 2011 World Cup on Saturday by outplaying France to win 19-14 in Wellington.
A losing bonus point - captured in the last minute - means France will progress to the quarter-finals nevertheless, but based on this performance they will go no further.
Directionless on attack, disorganised on defence, outmuscled at the breakdown, les Bleus never looked like winning against a charged-up Tongan side.
Take nothing away from the Islanders, who thoroughly deserved their victory which will go down as one of the biggest upsets in Rugby World Cup history.
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Man of the match: Immense at the breakdown, flank Sione Kalamafoni smashed and bashed his team into the history books.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7214772,00.html
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Paino Hehea of Tonga is tackled by William Servat (L) and Jean-Baptiste Poux (R) of France
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France finishes 2-2
Tonga finishes 2-2
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next test:
10-8
France v England
Auckland
***

Pool C - Australia v Russia

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Australia 68 - Russia 22

Berrick Barnes of Australia is tackled by Vladislav Korshunov and Ivan Prishchepenko of Russia during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Russia at Trafalgar Park on October 1, 2011 in Nelson, New Zealand.

( September 30, 2011 - Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Australia ease past spirited Russia
Despite picking up a bonus-point win, Australia produced a Jekyll & Hyde showing in their 68-22 Pool victory over Russia in Nelson on Saturday.
Australia looked set to give the Bears a hiding from the kick-off as Australia opened the scoring with five minutes played, Berrick Barnes stepping and going in untouched. However, James O'Connor missed the resulting conversion.
Man of the match: Yet again the presence of David Pocock was a massive plus for Australia. With him they look like they could beat the Springboks, without him we are not so sure. He scored two tries in just 40 minutes, with another mention going to Luke Burgess.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_7214771,00.html
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David Pocock of the Wallabies offloads the pass as he is tackled to the ground by Vasily Artemyev of Russia during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Russia at Trafalgar Park on October 1, 2011 in Nelson, New Zealand.

( September 30, 2011 - Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Australia finishes 3-1
Russia finishes 0-4
***

Pool B England v Scotland

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England 16 - Scotland 12

Dan Parks of Scotland kicks a drop goal during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between England and Scotland at Eden Park on October 1, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

( September 30, 2011 - Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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England were on the verge of facing up to a premature exit from the 2011 RWC until a late flurry saw them edge out rivals Scotland 16-12 on Saturday.
As it was, Scotland are looking at returning from New Zealand early as they await the result of Argentina's fixture against Georgia on Sunday. The Scots need the Lelos to cause an upset of Tongan proportions in Palmerston North.
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But despite England's four victories from four Pool record, questions will be asked following this performance, which lacked any real direction. They were flat for most of the first-half and will need to up the ante when they run out for what will be a last-eight date with France next week.
Man of the match: Euan Murray was a rock for Scotland during the first 40 minutes while Al Kellock led well. But for his wet-weather masterclass, we have to go for Dan Parks. Thrown on minutes after kick-off, Parks took the right options at the right time and had a good day.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3818_7214835,00.html
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James Haskell of England clashes is tackled by John Barclay of Scotland and Ally Strokosch of Scotland during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between England and Scotland at Eden Park on October 1, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

( September 30, 2011 - Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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England finishes 4-0
Scotland finishes 2-2
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next test:
10-8
England v France
Auckland
*

Pool D - S. Africa v Samoa

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Boks seal quarter-final spot

Bryan Habana of the Springboks of South Africa goes over ro score their first try during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between South Africa and Samoa at North Harbour Stadium on September 30, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

( September 29, 2011 - Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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South Africa remained unbeaten in Pool D and move on to the World Cup quarter-finals after beating Samoa 13-5 at North Harbour Stadium on Friday.
Samoa knew going in that it would be a tough ask to make it into the quarter-finals, but no one ever doubted they would fight until the final whistle.
There was a smidge of 'what might have been' attached to the result though for the islanders as had Mahonri Schwalger grounded a score, who knows what might of happened in the final stages. As it was the reigning champions had enough in the tank to stave off their opponents.
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Man of the match: Although on the losing side, Tusi Pisi again showed that he had a big future leading Samoa. The fly-half was light on his feet throughout and marshalled well, finding holes on more than one occasion. Mentions too for Bok props Tendai Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis at scrum-time and also flanker Schalk Burger, who was a genuine nuisance to Maurie Fa'asavalu and George Stowers. David Lemi was also very impressive.

Frans Steyn of South Africa tackled

( September 29, 2011 - Photo by Gallo Images/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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SA finishes 4-0
Samoa finishes 2-2
****