Log-toppers back to winning ways
Kenya and Scotland drew level with 12 points each in the ninth game of the day, while the Blitzboks scored three tries to Russia's one to continue their winning ways.
Smarting from their 24-0 loss to France, New Zealand blasted out of the blocks in their second game against Canada to score four tries without reply in the first half. Tries by DJ Collier Gillies Kaka and a double by Regan Ware got the scoreboard moving for the Kiwis, who did well to hold off a second half chase by Canada to end the game on 24-14.
France took command of Pool B after Virimi Vakatawa inspired France to back up their opening win against New Zealand with a tense 19-17 victory against USA. Captain Madison Hughes broke the deadlock when he darted off the back of a scrum and went on an arching run to the corner for his third try of the weekend. The Eagles were on top with two minutes of a scrappy first half remaining as Virimi Vakatawa glided over for his 50th series try and after a five-all deadlock at the break, France's Stephen Parez raced away towards the posts. Vakatawa struck again after gathering the ball at the restart and scored, before Hughes scored his second of the game before Perry Baker found space to set up a thrilling finale.
Australia drew first blood in their 17-12 win over Japan as skipper James Stannard collected his own chip ahead and then threw a lovely wide pass to set up a try for Pat McCutcheon. Japan replied with Kazuhiro Goya finishing off a well-worked lineout move, before Australia's Con Foley sprinted away to score the third try of the game. Sam Myers took advantage of a couple of missed tackles to edge Australia in front again. Japan had levelled the scores moments earlier when Teruya Goto showed great footballing skills to dribble the ball over the line, but Australia kept their Cup hopes alive in the clash.
Argentina scored straight from the kick-off in their match against Wales and more direct play lead to Rodrigo Etchart going over for try number two. Argentina were 21-0 up after Estelles' second but Wales finally found some spark before the break and scored through Lloyd Evans. Good interplay opened up the Argentinean defence and Evans has enough pace to pull clear of the defence. Wales were caught napping as Juan Pablo Estelles got his hat-trick in the first 10 seconds of the second half, and following Renzo Barbier's yellow card for taking the man out in the air, Wales scored two late Jordan Williams tries. Bautista Delguy's brace had put the game out of reach before Williams intervened to give some respectability to the scoreline.
Fiji skipper Osea Kolinisau converted his own try and two from Jasa Veremalua in a one-sided first half against Portugal. After four minutes, Fiji scored their first points of the second half, with Jerry Tuwai doing well to draw in the last defender before passing out wide to Kitione Taliga. Emosi Mulevoro sprinted home from 45 metres to score Fiji's 200th try on this season's series, as they find the perfect response to their earlier defeat to Samoa.
Record-breaking James Rodwell gave England a deserved lead when he took the ball at pace wide out and powered through a couple of tackles. Rodwell, playing in his 69th consecutive tournament, used his long reach to plant the ball over the line. Dan Norton put his electrifying pace on show – with a little hitch – to score England's second try. Samoa answered with a five-pointer of their own but it wasn't enough as England secures a 12-5 victory.
Results of the last 16 matches:
South Africa 33 – Scotland 0
Kenya 21 – Russia 7
France 24 – New Zealand 0
USA 36 – Canada 14
Argentina 12 – Australia 7
Japan 26 – Wales 19
Samoa 28 – Fiji 14
England 14 – Portugal 7
South Africa 21 – Russia 10
Kenya 12 – Scotland 12
New Zealand 24 – Canada 17
France 19 – USA 17
Australia 17 – Japan 12
Argentina 42 – Wales 21
Fiji 31 – Portugal 0
England 12 – Samoa 5
