Brisbane 10s: Bulls get winning start
The Wild Knights of Japan managed a 15-5 victory over the Waratahs in the second match of the day while the Rebels got an unlikely 19-5 victory over the Chiefs in the opening match of the competition.
The Reds and the Blues had to settle for an exciting 17-17 draw while the Highlanders' two early tries were enough to beat the Brumbies 14-7. The Crusaders rounded off the early action with a slender 12-7 victory over Samoa.
All the scores and scorers!
Rebels 19-5 Chiefs
It was a fairly timid start to the competition as Liam Messam and Tom English grabbed tries to ensure the teams went into the break locked at 5-5.
However, the second half was one-way traffic as the Rebels took the lead through a converted Jordan Uelese try in the 16th minute. Reece Hodge then put the icing on the cake in the 19th minute when he cut through the Chiefs' defence to ensure a 19-5 victory.
Wild Knights 15-5 Waratahs
The Waratahs dominated the opening minutes of the contest but the Wild Knights punished them the moment they coughed up possession. The Japanese side got hold of the ball 10-metres from their try line and worked the ball upfield to open their account through a Ben Gunter try.
It was not long before the Waratahs hit back with a try of their own when they benefitted from a scrappy scrum on the Wild Knights' 22-metre line. Matt Lucas with the try to level matters at 5-5 after eight minutes.
The Wild Knights were under pressure from the kick-off but defended bravely to keep the Waratahs from adding to their score. However, the Australian side found themselves a man down in the 12th minute and the Knights pounced.
The Knights secured possession from a scrum 30-metres from their try line and shifted the ball to Kentaro Kodama, who raced 70-metres to grab the try. 12-5 to the Wild Knights. Berrick Barnes edged the Japanese side further ahead with a successful drop-kick penalty in the 17th minute and that's how it remained until the final whistle.
Reds 17-17 Blues
The Reds had the first scoring chance of the game in the third minute but they blew that chance, only to see the Blues grab the lead a minute later. They went coast-to-coast with Rene Ranger passing the ball out wide to a flying Declan O'Donnell. Reds 0-5 Blues
The Reds hit back with a try of their own in the fifth minute when James Tuttle ran onto a flick pass to level matters at 5-5 but the Blues retook the lead in the eighth minute when Billy Guyton dotted down after a well-worked attack. 12-5 to the Blues.
The Reds had the final say of the first half though as Samu Kerevi pierced through the Blues' defence. The conversion was good and the teams went into the break locked at 12-12.
The Blues thought they bragged another try in the 11th minute but the Reds managed to hold them up over the line. The Reds then got the ball in hand and worked their way upfield. From a line-out seven metres from the Blues' line, the ball was sent wide to Karmichael Hunt, who ensured a 17-12 lead.
But the Blues hit back two minutes later when Matt Duffy ran onto an excellent pass to level the scores at 17-17. The Reds probed for the match-winning points but a knock-on saw them blowing the chance as the referee ended the encounter.
Bulls 14-10 Force
The Force began strongly and grabbed the opening try in the third minute when Ross Haylett-Petty finished off a flowing attacking move but the Bulls hit back straight away when Warrick Gelant stepped past the last defender to score under the posts and hand the Pretoria side a 7-5 lead.
The Force then regained the lead a minute later as they threw the ball around to find Chance Peni, who rounded off the play and hand the Force a 10-7 lead. The Bulls finished the half with nine men after receiving a yellow card but the Force could not take advantage of the extra man as the half-time siren sounded.
It took the Bulls three minutes to regain the lead after the break when they benefitted from some scrappy Force play. The ball was booted ahead and Travis Ismaiel chased it down to grab the try. 14-10 to the Bulls.
The Force did all they could in the closing minutes but were stopped in their tracks by some excellent Bulls defending. The match could have been sealed in the 18th minute but the Bulls missed a drop-goal from right in front of the posts.
It mattered little though as the Force were unable to grab further points when the full-time whistle sounded.
Brumbies 7-14 Highlanders
The Highlanders raced out of the blocks and grab two tries in the opening four minutes. James Lentjes carried three defenders over the line fro the opening points before Rob Thompson rounded off a brilliant attack to ensure a 14-0 lead.
The Brumbies did all they could to reduce the deficit but some scrappy play stopped them in their tracks.
It was not long after the break when the Brumbies got their reward as they took the ball through a number of phases. A pin-point kick found Nigel Ah Wong, who bagged their first try to trail 7-14 after 12 minutes.
A 50-metre break by Jordan Jackson-Hope seemed to have a try written all over it but his pass was coughed up just five metres from the Highlanders' try-line. The Brumbies went full-tilt in the closing minutes but unnecessary errors cost them the chance to earn further points.
Samoa 7-12 Crusaders
Samoa had all the possession in the opening four minutes but could not make the most of it. The Crusaders punished them for the though as they took the lead in the sixth minute when Seta Tamanivalu raced down the sideline to score. the Conversion ensured a 7-0 lead.
Neither side were able to add to the score before the half-time interval.
The Crusaders stretched their lead in the 15th minute when Jed Brown was given the ball in space just 20 metres from the Samoan try-line. He fended off the last defender to grab to the second try of the match and ensure a 12-0 lead.
Samoa got some reward though when Tomasi Alosio Logotuli broke through some lazy Crusaders defending to grab his side's first try of the competition. The successful conversion reduced the deficit to 7-12 in the 17th minute.
However, that's how it remained until the final whistle.
POOLS:
POOL A: Chiefs, Rebels, Waratahs, Wild Knights
POOL B: Blues, Crusaders, Reds, Samoa
POOL C: Bulls, Brumbies, Highlanders
POOL D: Hurricanes, Toulon, Force
All 14 squads:
BRUMBIES: Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Tomas Cubelli, Tom Banks, Scott Sio, Nic Jooste, Joe Powell, Andrew Smith, Lausii Taliauli, Aidan Toua, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Robbie Abel, Allan Alaalatoa, Chris Alcock, Jarrad Butler, Tom Staniforth, Blake Enever, Saia Fainga'a, Lolo Fakaosilea, Ben Hyne, Les Leulua'iali'i-Makin, Nic Mayhew, Jordan Smiler, Stephen Larkham (wildcard), Andrew Walker (wildcard)
WARATAHS: Israel Folau, Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Paddy Ryan, Hugh Roach, Damien Fitzpatrick, Ned Hanigan, Ryan McCauley, Michael Wells, Rory O'Connor, Pat McCutcheon, Brad Wilkin, Jamason Schultz, Matt Lucas, Jake Gordon, Mack Mason, Bryce Hegarty, David Horwitz, Andrew Deegan, Con Foley, Andrew Kellaway, Cam Clark, Harry Jones, Reece Robinson, Lote Tuqiri (wildcard)
REDS: James Tuttle, Moses Sorovi, Jake McIntyre, Duncan Paia'aua, Henry Taefu, Samu Kerevi, Eto Nabuli, Lachlan Maranta, Chris Kuridrani, Brad Lacey, Karmichael Hunt, Jayden Ngamanu, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Sef Fa'agase, Sam Talakai, Alex Mafi, Andrew Ready, Rob Simmons, Cadeym Neville, Lukhan Tui, Izack Rodda, Michael Gunn, Adam Korcyk, Leroy Houston, Chris Latham (wildcard)
REBELS: Cruze Ah-Nau, Steve Cummins, Jack Debreczeni, Murray Douglas, Tom English, Colby Fainga'a, Jackson Garden-Bachop, James Hanson, Reece Hodge, Mitch Inman, Marika Koroibete, Pat Leafa, Tyrel Lomax, Jack Maddocks, Amanaki Mafi, Ben Meehan, Sefa Naivalu, Jordy Reid, Culum Retallick, Toby Smith, Nic Stirzaker, Lopeti Timani, Sione Tuipulotu, Ben Volavola, Laurie Weeks, Morgan Turinui (wildcard)
FORCE: Curtis Rona, Luke Morahan, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Hodgson, Richard Arnold, Marcel Brache, Robbie Coleman, Mees Erasmus, Peter Grant, Richard Hardwick, Ross Haylett-Petty, Onehunga Kaufusi, Kane Koteka, Ryan Louwrens, Semisi Masiwera, Isireli Naisarani, Alex Newsome, Chance Ataera, Matthew Philip, Ian Prior, Anaru Rangi, Michael Ruru, Brynard Stander, Heath Tessmann, James Verity-Amm, Shambeckler Vui
BLUES: Josh Goodhue, Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a, Tom Robinson, Sam Prattley, Kara Pryor, Marcel Renata, Brandon Nansen, Joe Royal, Scott Scrafton, Murphy Taramai, Ambrose Curtis, Matt Duffie, Pasqualle Dunn, Billy Guyton, George Moala, Sam Nock, Declan O'Donnell, Stephen Perofeta, Rene Ranger, Jordan Trainor, Matt Vaega
CRUSADERS: Tim Perry, Mike Alaalatoa, Oliver Jager, Quinten Strange, Chiris Gawler, Mitchell Dunshea, Peter Samu, Jed Brown, Leon Fukofuka, Marty McKenzie, Bryn Hall, Tim Bateman, David Havilli, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Andrew Makalio, Seta Tamanivalu, Ben Funnell, Whetu Douglas, Mitchell Hunt, Digby Ioane, Sione Fifita, Manasa Mataele, Sean Wainui, Jordan Taufua
HIGHLANDERS: Aki Seiuli, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Liam Coltman, Josh Dickson, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, James Lentjes, Craig Millar, Dillon Hunt, Gareth Evans, Luke Whitelock, Kayne Hammington, Josh Renton, Fletcher Smith, Tei Walden, Rob Thompson, Jason Emery, Tevita Li, Matt Faddes, Sio Tomkinson, Marty Banks
CHIEFS: Liam Messam, Hikawera Elliott, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Liam Polwart, Atu Moli, Sam Caird, Findlamor Hoeata, Brad Weber, Joseva Ravouvou, Findlay Christie, Tim Nanai-Williams, Sheldon Tovio, Sevu Reece, Jonathan Taumateine, Shaun Stevenson, Solomon Alaimalo, Alex Nankivell, Dwayne Sweeney, Sosefo Kautai, Taleni Seu, Mitchell Brown, Luteru Laulala, Latu Vaeno, Luke Jacobson, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Graham
HURRICANES: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane, Reg Goodes, Loni Uhila, Ricky Riccitelli, Asafo Aumua, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, Joe Apikotoa, Vaea Fifita, Mark Abbott, James Blackwell, Brad Shields, Reed Prinsep, Toa Halafihi, Hugh Renton, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Kemera Hauiti-Parapara, Otere Black, Vince Aso, Matt Proctor, Wes Goosen, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Jonah Lowe, Jordie Barrett
TOULON: Drew Mitchell, James O'Connor, Alesana Tuilagi, Josua Tuisova, Ayumu Goromaru, Axel Muller, Jimmy Yobo, Anthony Belleau, Geoffrey Cazanave, Teiva Jacquelain, Swan Rebbadj, Emerick Setiano, Bastien Soury, Thomas Vernet, George Stokes, Aidon Davis, Gregory Annetta, Rudy Gahetau
WILD KNIGHTS: Asaeli Ai Valu, Atsushi Sakate, Naoki Kawamata, Kotaro Yatabe, Daniel Heenan, Masaki Tani, Ryota Hasegawa, Yoichi Iijima, Yuta Takagi, Taiki Koyama, Ben Gunter, Ryu Koliniasi Holani, Jack Cornelsen, Emerson Tamura, Takuya Yamasawa, Berrick Barnes, Rikiya Matsuda, Akihito Yamada, Yasuki Hayashi, Yuga Hyakutake, Keisuke Moriya, Tomoki Kitagawa, Iori Kaji, Yoshikazu Fujita, Kentaro Kodama, Tadahiro Miwa
BULLS: Francolis Brummer, Dries Swanepoel, Tian Schoeman, Cornelius Els, Edgar Marutlulle, Renaldo Bothma, Ruben Van Heerden, Ruan Steenkamp, Rudy Paige, Shaun Adendorff, Travis Ismaiel, Jacques Potgieter, Hanro Liebenberg, Ivan Van Zyl, Conrad Van Vuuren, Jade Stighling, Jamba Ulengo, John Kotze, JT Jackson, John-Roy Jenkinson, Lizo Gqoboka, Luther Obi, Burger Odendaal, Nicholas De Jager, Piet Van Zyl, Warrick Gelant
SAMOA: Census Johnston, Tietie Tuimauga, Ausetalia Vaiomanu, Jarred Adams, Bronson Fotualii Tauakipulu, Ripine Fualau, Oneone Faafou, Faalemiga Selesele, Mikaele Tapili, Liahona Vaegaau, Jeff Lepa, Greg Foe, Lucky Schuster Palamo, Danny Tusitala, Dangelo Leuila, Patrick Faapale, Opetera Peleseuma, Faafou Amate, Meki Magele, Tila Mealoi, Johnny Samuelu, Faletoa Moli, Samoa Toloa
