Wrap: JWC Semis Day
Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:39
England and New Zealand will meet in the first Final of the Junior World Championship after their semifinal victories over South Africa and Wales in grim weather on Wednesday evening.
Summer packed up and moved out of Wales, and winter, wet, driven and cold, came in. Conditions were not easy.
Championship Semifinals
New Zealand vs Wales, 31-6
When New Zealand played into the weather and led 10-6 at the break, the writing was on the wall. Brave as Wales were, they were outgunned and New Zealand even produced a try on counterattack that would have done credit to perfect playing conditions.
Backed by a typically partisan crowd at a rain lashed Rodney Parade, host nation Wales gave it their all in the first IRB Junior World Championship semi-final, but New Zealand had simply too much in the locker and produced a professional second half display to clinch a 31-6 win and march into Sunday’s final.
New Zealand had averaged just over 57 points in their Pool A games leading into this match at Rodney Parade in Newport, but were made to scrap for every single point by a Wales side who, led by the magnificent Jonathan Davies in the centre, put their bodies on the line in defence.
However, the home side could not maintain that level of intensity for 80 minutes and New Zealand took enough of a grip in the second half to close out the game and set up a final against either England or South Africa.
Wales tore into New Zealand from the off and the men in black looked visibly rocked. So when Leigh Halfpenny, the Welsh hero with his last gasp match-winning try against France to earn this semi-final, slotted an sixth minute penalty it was no more than his side deserved.
Understandably given the wet conditions, New Zealand responded by keeping it tight although it was a finely measured cross kick from full back Trent Renata that unlocked the Welsh defence for hooker Quentin MacDonald to gather and score two minutes later.
A catch and drive on the half hour resulted in the second try for New Zealand through prop Paea Fa’anunu, but a second penalty for wing Halfpenny kept Wales in touch at half-time, trailing only 10-6.
Renata inspired New Zealand in the second half with conditions worsening as he found good distance with his line kicking and slotted two valuable penalties to extend the lead to 16-6.
But the critical blow came on the hour as centre Ryan Crotty scooped up a loose Welsh kick ahead and linked with wing Sean Maitland before putting number 8 Nasi Manu into the corner.
Wales, watched by national coach Warren Gatland, refused to cave in against an increasingly powerful black tide, but a third penalty from Renata moved New Zealand further clear and the full back then converted Maitland’s late try to complete the scoring.
In fairness, the final scoreline looked lopsided but New Zealand were clearly the stronger outfit with captain Chris Smith leading the pack with passion and Trent Renata kicking superbly in the wet.
New Zealand captain Chris Smith: “I don’t think the scoreboard really reflected how tough a game that was. They were really up for it in front of a massive crowd and it was a really good atmosphere. They played with passion and played some good rugby.”
Wales captain Sam Warburton said: “We put pressure on them in the first half when we relied on our defence to produce that pressure. We went in at half-time only 10-6 down and that was a huge improvement on last year. But we let it slip a bit in the second half but New Zealand, I think, are hands down the best team in the tournament.”
Scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: MacDonald, Fa'anunu, Manu, Maitland
Pens: Renata 3
For Wales:
Pens:
Halfpenny 2
New Zealand: 15 Trent Renata, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Kade Poki, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Mathew Luamanu, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Chris Smith (captain), 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Paea Fa'anunu.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Josh Townsend, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Andre Taylor.
Wales: Daniel Evans, Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Gareth Owen, Jimmy Norris, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Ryan Bevington, Ryan Prosser, Scott Andrews, Haydn Pugh, Josh Turnbull, Justin Tipuric Dan Franks, Sam Warburton (captain )
Replacements: Ben Roberts, Sam Hobbs, Patrick Palmer, Lloyd Phillips, Ashley Sweet, Gareth Williams, Luke Ford
England vs South Africa, 26-18
South Africa will play Wales in the third and fourth place play-off match of the IRB World Junior Championships in Wales on Sunday after going down 26-18 (halftime 15-15) in a brave rearguard action against England in Wednesday's semi-final.
The Baby Boks scored two tries in as many minutes midway through the first half from eighthman and captain Gerrit Jan van Velze and wing Cecil Afrika to lead 15-10.
But England took advantage of a heavier pack and stronger scrum to reel in South Africa and dominate the second half with a strong breeze at their backs and in greasy conditions following a heavy downpour at the start of the half.
South Africa defended bravely and tackled well but they were starved of possession by England's efficient pack and two second-half penalties by England flyhalf Alex Goode took the game away from South Africa before a try two minutes from time sealed the win.
Scrumhalf Joe Simpson scored the first points for England when he burst down the blindside of a ruck to give his team a fifth minute lead.
South African flyhalf Francois Brummer narrowed the gap with a penalty before Afrika collected scrumhalf Francois Hougaard's bouncing box kick in the England 22 to feed Van Velze for the first try.
Two minutes later Afrika crossed himself after sweeping onto the ball when Brummer charged down a kick by Goode. Brummer converted to make it 15-10 to South Africa.
England levelled two minutes before the break when wing Noah Cato - an England sevens player - intercepted Brummer's pass on England's 22 and sprinted clear.
South African tighthead Frederik Kirsten was yellow carded on the stroke of halftime when he was penalised for the fourth time in the half and, in his absence, England took the lead through a Goode penalty three minutes into the new half.
Goode kicked a third penalty midway through the half to give England six-point lead. Brummer's second penalty with eight minutes remaining narrowed the gap to three points and although South Africa briefly threatened England had the final word
when loosehead prop Alex Corbisiero drove over from a lineout maul for his team's third try.
Scorers:
For England:
Tries: Simpson, Cato, Corbisiero
Con: Goode
Pens: Goode 3
For South Africa:
Tries: Van Velze, Afrika
Con: Brummer
Pens: Brummer 2
England: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Luke Eves, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Hugo Ellis (captain)7 Calum Clark, 6 Matthew Cox, 5 Gregor Gillanders, 4 Ben Thomas, 3 Alex Corbisiero, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Nathan Catt
Replacements: 16 Scott Freer, 17 Billy Moss, 18 Scott Hobson, 19 Jon Fisher, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Rob Miller, 22 Mark Odejobi
South Africa: 15 Wilton Pietersen, 14 Cecil Afrika, 13 Stefan Watermeyer, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Lionel Mapoe, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Francois Houghaard, 8
Gerrit-Jan van Velze (captain), 7 Thiliphaut Marole, 6 Johan van Deventer, 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Frederick Kirsten, 2 Henri Bantjes, 1 Corné Fourie.
Replacements: 16 PJ van Vuuren, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Sobelo Nhlapo, 19 Nick Köster, 20 Dewaldt Duvenhage, 21 Josias Ebersohn, 22 Stephan Dippenaar
5th - 8th place play-offs
France vs Argentina, 30-6
France bounced back from the disappointment of missing out on the semifinals by overcoming Argentina 30-6 in a scrappy encounter at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea on Wednesday to book their place in the fifth place play-off.
Flank Arthur Chollon’s try – converted by Julien Dumora – provided France with a fifth minute lead over the Pool A runners up and although Argentina tried desperately to stretch their opponents' defence, they failed to make any significant headway.
In contrast France were far more clinical in their work out wide and with centre Mathieu Bastareaud a constant threat with ball in hand they created numerous opportunities which led to Argentina conceding a penalty which full back Dumora converted for a 10-0 lead.
Unfortunately for the French, the errors which had cost them so dearly in the Pool D decider against host nation Wales last weekend returned to haunt them as Argentina found their feet.
Fly half Benjamín Madero kicked a 25th minute penalty to reduce the arrears and his second successful attempt 11 minutes later brought Argentina to within four points and 10-6 at half time.
Neither side were able to piece together any truly dangerous attacking moves in the opening 20 minutes of the second half and instead it was replacement Mathieu Belie who ultimately edged France further ahead with a 62nd minute penalty after replacement referee David Jones penalising the Pumas for killing the ball inside their own 22.
The score remained at 13-10 until Argentina full back Joaquin Tucullet was sin-binned and Belie kicked another penalty three minutes from time to make sure of victory for France and a fifth place playoff against either Samoa or Australia.
However there was still time for replacements Marc Antoine Rallier and Henry Chavancy to score tries in injury time, both of them converted by Belie, to give the score a more convincing look to it.
France assistant coach Philippe Boher said afterwards: “It was a dfifficult game because firstly we only had 23 players from which to choose because of our decision to send home three players. Secondly, we had to recover mentally after the disappointment of losing on Saturday. I think it took us some time to recover, but when we did we scored some good tries and we are pleased. We have had to change our objective because of the defeat on Saturday, but we want to finish on Sunday with a win and fifth place.”
Argentina scrumhalf Martin Landajo
said: “I think the result is a lie because we played better than that. It was just that after playing well for so long, we let in two tries in the last minutes of the game. I think we have done well in the competition so far, especially our first two games, and I hope we can go home with another win on Sunday.”
Scorers:
For France:
Tries: Chollon, Rallier, Chavancy
Cons: Dumora, Belie 2
Pens: Dumora, Belie 2
For Argentina:
Pens: Madero 2
France: 15 Julien Dumora, 14 Benjamin Fall, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Yann David, 11 Guillaume Namy, 10 Alexandre Dumoulin, 9 Thierry Lacrampe, 8 Raphaël Lakafia, 7 Arthur Chollon, 6 Louis Madaule, 5 Adam Jaulhac, 4 Yoann Maestri (captain), 3 Clemetn Ric, 2 Clemetn Maynadier, 1 Nicolas Agnesi
Replacement: 16 Marc Antoine Rallier, 17 Kevin Kervarec, 18 Baptiste Hezard, 19 Yann
Brethous, 20 Adrien Tomas, 21 Henry Chavancy, 22 Mathieu Belie/Jean-Baptiste Roidot
Argentina: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Belisario Agulla (c), 13 Juan Pablo Estelles, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Diego Palma, 10 Benjamín Madero, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Francisco Panessi, 7 Guido Lofiego, 6 Ignacio Pasman, 5 Santiago Guzmán, 4 Aníbal Panceyra Garrido, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Esteban Bustillo, 1 Ignacio Di Santi
Replacements: 16 Luciano Leibson, 17 Luciano Borio , 18 Javier Pérez, 19 Marcos Insúa , 20 Lucas Alcácer Mackinlay, 21 Nicolás Sánchez, 22 Federico Salazar
Australia vs Samoa, 32-0
Australia secured their place in the IRB Junior World Championship 2008 fifth place play-off against France with a consummate victory over Samoa at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea on Wednesday.
With the wind and rain making life difficult for both sides, it was far from a classic encounter. However, Australia had too much power and know-how to allow the Samoans to build on their impressive displays in the pool stages of the competition.
Flyhalf Quade Cooper handed Australia the lead after five minutes with a penalty from 15 metres and four minutes later his side drove a lineout to within a metre of the line before the Samoans were penalised again.
Cooper struck an upright from 20 metres with the resultant penalty to enable Samoa to clear their lines and form a platform of their own. However, the Australian defence stayed firm and increased their lead nine minutes from the interval through a penalty try.
The Australian flyhalf converted and continued to dictate from pivot, although the backs outside him struggled in the increasingly difficult conditions.
The first half finished with Australia, whose title hopes ended with a late charge down try against England last weekend, on top and with Samoa defending their line as if their lives were dependent upon it.
It was the same story in the early minutes of the second half with Australia once again threatening to break loose through the outstanding half backs of Richard Kingi and Cooper.
Cooper kicked another penalty to increase his side’s lead before centre Rowan Kellam crossed for a 61st minute try which his fly half duly converted. Two minutes later Australia were 27 points to the good courtesy of a converted try from prop Ben Daley.
A further try from giant wing Ratu Nasiganiyavi in the 80th minute extended the lead and, although the score went unconverted, Australia were home if not altogether dry. They now face France at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday, while Samoa face Argentina in the seventh place playoff in Newport.
Australia's Quade Cooper said: "These four day turnarounds are difficult but I felt the boys were right up for this tonight and that is pleasing. There's one game to go and France will be another
difficult side to play against. However, if we can cut out our mistakes then we have the ability to finish with a win."
Scorers:
For Australia:
Tries: Kellam, Daley, Nasiganiyavi, penalty try
Cons: Cooper 3
Pens: Cooper 2
Australia: 15 Blair Connor, 14 Junior Sovala, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Rowan Kellam, 11 Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Richard Kingi, 8 David Pocock (captain), 7 Sam Latinipulu, 6 Ben Coridas, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Daniel Palmer, 2 James Hanson, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Albert Anae, 18 Tom Murday, 19 Seilala Lam, 20 Jeremy Sua, 21 Peter Betham, 22 Dane Haylett-Petty.
Samoa: 15 Alatasi Tupou, 14 Talalelei Malo, 13 Sanele Vavae Tuilagi, 12 Aaron Smith, 11 David Masoe, 10 Ioane Sefo, 9 Tenina Sauileoge, 8 Misioka Timoteo, 7 Afa Aiono (captain), 6 Levi Asifa'amatala, 5 Seti Tafua, 4
Maselino Paulino, 3 Roysiu Tolufale, 2 Kalem Chan Boon, 1 Siaosi Iona
Replacements: 16 Anetelea Lalotoa, 17 Davidson Fiu Tavita, 18 Richard Muagututia, 19 Ikoke Solomona, 20 Ivy Leileisiuao, 21 Alvin Smith, 22 Fa'atoina Autagavaia
9th-12th place play-offs
Scotland vs Canada, 15-10 after extra time
In dull and damp conditions at Rodney Parade there was late drama as Scotland and Canada slogged out a draw before the Scots scored an extra-time try to snatch victory.
Scotland had trailed with only a few moments remaining in normal time but dug deep to deny the gallant Canadians and earn their second consecutive win at the tournament.
Neither team was able to gain the ascendancy throughout a testing match littered with handling errors, where penalties were often given away in good attacking positions by the team in possession.
Canadian scrumhalf Sean White broke superbly from his own 22 before waiting intelligently for support to reach him and Matt Evans took the pass to sprint over for the game’s first try. Skipper and fullback Nathan Hirayama converted for a 7-0 lead.
Scotland responded well and after a couple of missed kicks at goal, centre Stephen McColl helped get his team back in the game when he picked off a stray Canadian pass in his own 22. The cover got to him just shy of the line but the big centre had enough strength to touch down in the corner.
Scoring opportunities were scarce thereafter, although Scotland centre Paul Loudon was denied by the corner flag and the normally reliable Hirayama missed two penalties as Canada went into the break with a 7-5 lead.
The second period continued in much the same vein, although conditions were much improved.
Canada were unable to take advantage of a numerical advantage when replacement Scotland scrum half Ross Samson was sin-binned but Hirayama eventually extended the lead with a penalty.
With the Canadian pack seemingly in control, Scotland looked dead and buried but, with time ticking away, Canada lost control of a scrum near their own line and Samson atoned for his earlier indiscretion to pounce for the equalising score to take the game into extra time.
Conditions worsened but as a kicking shootout beckoned, replacement Jamie Murray scampered over from a scrum and to ensure the Scots emerged victorious.
Scorers:
For Scotland:
Tries: McColl, Samson, Murray
For Canada:
Tries: Evans
Con: Hirayama
Pen: Hirayama
Scotland: 15 Peter Horne, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Paul Loudon, 12 Stevie McColl, 11 Chris Kinloch, 10 Ruaridh Jackson (captain), 9 Peter Jericevich, 8 Craig Simmonds, 7 Andrew Rose, 6 Jonny Baird, 5 Josh Brown, 4 Fraser McKenzie, 3 David Morton, 2 Adrian Duncan, 1 Gary
Strain
Replacements: Niall Shannon, Gavin Cameron, Neale Patrick, Lewis Calder, Ross Samson, James Murray, Tom Bury
Canada: 15 Nathan Hirayama (captain), 14 Jordan Wilson-ross, 13 Harry Jones, 12 Conor Trainor, 11 Ty Shannon, 10 Matt Evans, 9 Sean White, 8 Sebastian Pearson, 7 Keegan Selby, 6 Ian Manly, 5 Mike Berg, 4 Struan Robertson, 3 Mauro Perrizolo, 2 Ryan Hamilton, 1 Andrew Tiedemann,
Replacements: 16 Russ Meidinger, 17 Russell Ward, 18 Josh Schlebach, 19 Toni Wodzicki, 20 Jamie Mackenzie, 21 Peter Jawl, 22 Kyle Buckley
Ireland vs Italy, 9-6 after extra time
Ireland: 15 Niall Morris, 14 David Kearney, 13 Eoin O'Malley, 12 Conor Cleary, 11 Chris Cochrane, 10 Martin Dufficy, 9 Ian Porter, 8 Patrick Mallon, 7 Paul Ryan (captain), 6 Kieran Essex, 5 Eoin Sheriff, 4 Ian Nagle, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Jason Harris-Wright, 1 Paul Karayiannis
Replacements:16 Stephen Douglas, 17 Ben Barclay, 18 James Sandford, 19
Michael Entwistle, 20 David Moore, 21 Ian Madigan, 22 Jamie Smith
Italy: 15 Andrea Pratichetti, 14 Andrea Bacchetti, 13 Roberto Quartaroli, 12 Alberto Chiesa (captain, 11 Edoardo Rotella, 10 Riccardo Bocchino, 9 Carlo Vannini, 8 Luca Petillo, 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Filippo Giusti, 5 Alberto Cazzola, 4 Emiliano Caffini, 3 Massimiliano Ravalle, 2 Tommaso D’Apice, 1 Andrea De Marchi
Replacements: 16 Lorenzo Sebastiani, 17 Gabriele Morelli, 18 Joshua Furno, 19 Giacomo Bernini, 20 Rudolf Mernone, 21 Giuseppe Sapuppo, 22 Alessandro Castagnoli
13th-16th place play-offs
Tonga vs Japan, 17-5
It took a brace of late tries for Tonga to finally prevail over a well-organised Japanese side in their 13th-16th play-off match.
After a quiet opening, Tonga paid the price for conceding a series of penalties when Japan forced their way over the try-line from a maul after seven minutes, prop Masataka Mikami claiming the score, with scrum half Shuhei Oshima narrowly missing the conversion.
Tonga responded with several forward attacks but the Japanese defence held firm with strong tackling.
However, the line could not be held indefinitely, and with half-time approaching, Tonga second row Sotele Hehea found his way over the line to level scores at the interval.
Tonga dominated the second half but failed to take advantage of the possession they enjoyed and struggled to break through the dogged Japanese defence.
They forced several penalties out of the Japanese, but failed to take advantage, with fly half Sione Toke missing two penalties.
With extra time looming, Tonga finally managed to pierce the Japanese defence, replacement Haloti Molitika making an excellent break to put Tonga in the driving seat at 10-5 with five minutes remaining.
Fellow replacement Tone Tukufuka completed an interception try from the halfway line for Toke to convert and complete the scoring.
Tonga now face the winner of the USA v Fiji match in the play-off for 13th place on Saturday.
Tonga Coach Fe’ao Vakata said afterwards: “We are very pleased with the result. We had the majority of the territory, but throughout the tournament we have struggled to convert that into points, and missing so many kicks didn’t help either. We’re looking forward to Saturday’s match.”
Tonga captain Constantin Kauvaka said: “It was a very tough game.”
Japan coach Masahiro Kundasaid: “I pay tribute to the Tongan game plan. They kicked a lot of high balls that we struggled to cope with. They are a very physical side but I thought our tackling and scrummaging were excellent.”
Japan Captain Michael Leitch said: “We were always in the game but the two late tries destroyed our hopes.”
Scorers:
For Tonga:
Tries: Hehea, Molitika,
Tukufuka
Con: Toke
For Japan:
Try: Mikami
Tonga: 15 Salesi Sete, 14 Charles Mateo, 13 William Takai, 12 Mahe Fangupo, 11 Alfred Hausia, 10 Sione Toke, 9 Sekope Maea, 8 Constantin Kauvaka (captain), 7 Inoke Taufa, 6 Paula Kata, 5 Finau Tupa, 4 Sotele Hehea, 3 Maleko Latu, 2 Lepaola Taueli, 1 Mosa'ati Afu
Replacements: 16 Tone Tukufuka, 17 Lonely Kengike, 18 Tevita Tangi, 19 Haloti Molitika, 20 Samiuela Vea, 21 John Hausia, 22 Mateo Malupo
Japan: 15 Tsuyoshi Iguchi, 14 Daisuke Natsui, 13 Yasutaka Sasakura, 12 Aisea Havea, 11 Kanzo Nakahama, 10 Shingo Yoshida, 9 Shuhei Oshima, 8 Michael Leitch (captain), 7 Shohei Maekawa, 6 Keisuke Matsuda, 5 Eiri Nakada, 4 Pohiva Lotoahea, 3 Shinsuke Ono, 2 Ryuhei Arita, 1 Masataka Mikami
Replacements: 16 Koichi Nitta, 17 Motoki Yamazaki, 18 Tsuyoshi Murata, 19 Hiroaki Sugimoto, 20
Takamasa Okubo, 21 Ryohei Yamanaka, 22 Katsuyuki Sakai
USA vs Fiji, 27-22
Fiji held on for a hard-earned 13th-16th play-off victory against a USA side that fought admirably right to the end.
USA took an early lead, flyhalf Sean Treacy slotting his second penalty attempt after five minutes.
Despite Fijian pressure, the Americans came close to extending the margin after 20 minutes when flanker Liam Murphy was held up on the line by the Pacific islanders’ defence.
However, American endeavour was rewarded soon after when prop Shawn Pittman crossed for a close-range try. Treacy failed to convert, leaving the score at 8-0.
Adventurous running from wing Wiliame Umu brought Fiji’s first points of the game after 36 minutes, second row Joseva Levula crossing from a ruck to make the score 8-5.
Fijian pressure paid further dividends, with Umu crossing for a scrappy try after a break from full back William Saukuru. Fly half Sakiusa Malai Bulivakarua converted to give the Fijians a 12-8 half-time lead.
They extended their lead soon after the restart, with wing Patemio Kocoturaga crossing in the corner, a narrow conversion miss for Bulivakarua leaving the score at 17-8.
However, USA were not going to allow the game to get away from them easily, and responded in the 55th minute with a try from centre Nate Ebner, whose strength helped carry him over the line. Treacy converted from wide to keep the Americans in contention at 17-15.
A yellow card for prop Serupepeli Qaranivalu after 61 minutes looked to give USA the advantage but it was Fiji who scored soon after, replacement John Stewart crossing to give his side a 22-15 lead.
Despite another near miss for Stewart, who was adjudged to have knocked the ball on while grounding it, the Americans kept attacking the Fijian defence and were rewarded in the 87th minute with a penalty try converted by Treacy to give the Americans some consolation before the final whistle.
Fiji coach Rayne Simpson: “We controlled the set pieces and our forwards gave us an excellent platform to give our backs the opportunity to play the Fijian way. We look forward to our challenge with our neighbours Tonga, and I am sure it will be an exciting match for the spectators.”
Fiji captain Jese Cirikisuva: “I am pleased that the team kept their discipline and gave our backs the opportunity to shine.”
USA coach Salty Thompson: “We cannot fault the effort of the players at this higher level. They gave all they had and although the results do not reflect it, there has been an overall improvement in our performance.”
USA captain Scott Lavalla: “Let’s make no mistake, we came over here to win games. There are a lot of tired legs out there, and despite a gallant effort, we failed to keep up with the pace of the Fijians.”
Scorers:
For Fiji:
Tries: Levula, Umu, Kocoturaga, Stewart, Saukuru
Con: Bulivakarua
For USA:
Tries: Pittman, Palamo, penalty try
Cons: Treacy 2
Pen: Treacy
Fiji: 15 William Saukuru, 14 Patemio Kocoturaga, 13 Isikeli Vuruna, 12 Eroni Tara, 11 Wiliame Umu, 10 Sakiusa Malai, 9 Anre Vakawaletabua, 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Jese Cirikisuva (captain), 6 Uraia Vecenadavui, 5 Joseva Levula, 4 Temo Vakaloloma, 3 Jeke Lalai, 2 Saula Qalomai, 1 Serupepeli Qaranivalu
Reserves: Seru Cakobau, Saulo Romumu, Waqabaca Kotobalavu, Tevita Tuiloa, Alexander Rokobaro, Peni Rokodiva, John Stewart
USA: 15 Tim Moxness, 14 Adam Ducoing, 13 Thretton Palamo, 12 Nate Ebner, 11 Zach Test, 10 Sean Treacy, 9 Steven Sablan, 8 Taylor Mokate, 7 Barry Sheehan, 6 Liam Murphy, 5 Scott Lavalla (Captain), 4
Kevin Erskine, 3 Shawn Pittman, 2 Bill Wynne, 1 Stevie Johnston,
Replacements: 16 Ryan Fitcher, 17 Max Paganini, 18 Teddy Barron, 19 Scott Metcalf, 20 Austin Cella, 21 Gareth Jones, 22 Ty Siceloff
Match Officials
New Zealand vs Wales in Newport
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Touch judges: Phillip Bosch (South Africa), Robin Goodliffe (England)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch/ Les Peard (Wales)
Television match official: Andrew Small (England)
England vs South Africa in Cardiff
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
Touch judges: Hugh Watkins (Wales), David Bodilly (Wales)
Assessor: Tappe Henning (IRB)
Television match official: Derek Bevan (Wales)
Tonga vs Japan in Wrexham
Referee: James Leckie (Australia)
Touch judges: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland), David Wilkinson (Ireland)
Assessor: Bob Francis (New Zealand)
USA vs Fiji in Wrexham
Referee: Taizo Hirabayashi (Wales)
Touch judges: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
Assessor: Bob Francis (New Zealand)
Scotland vs Canada in Newport
Referee: James Bolabiu (Fiji)
Touch judges: Phillip Bosch (South Africa), Robin Goodliffe (England)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch (Ireland)/Les Peard (Wales)
Argentina vs France in Swansea
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Touch judges: David Jones (Wales), Andrea Pasquin (Italy)
Assessor: Michel Lamoulie (France)/Jim Bailey (Wales)
Samoa vs Australia in Swansea
Referee: James Jones (Wales)
Touch judges: David Jones (Wales), Andrea Pasquin (Italy)
Assessor: Michel Lamoulie (France)/Jim Bailey (Wales)
Ireland vs Italy in Cardiff
Referee: Tim Hayes (Wales)
Touch judges: Hugh Watkins (Wales), David Bodilly (Wales)
Assessor: Tappe Henning (IRB)
Thanks to the IRB and SARU
