Super Saturday
The first weekend of the World Cup got off to a seriously impressive start as 3 massive games took place on Saturday. No shock results came out of it, but the standard of rugby on display was incredible and has truly ignited the tournament into action. Ignoring the questionable officiating of some games, let's have a look at what happened.
Saturday 21st September 2019
Australia 39 - 21 Fiji
This will be remembered as Super Saturday long in the memory such were the awesomeness of the first 3 games. 3 giant contests threw up a superb morning of rugby that didn't disappoint the pre match billing. Fiji kicked things off first against Australia and for 60 minutes it looked like we'd be seeing the first upset of the World Cup just 2 games in. Fiji were awesome in the breakdown, slowing Australia down and using turnover ball to devastating effect. The Fijian open-side Peceli Yato was playing like a man possessed, marauding around the field in open play until a collision with Reece Hodge ended his game prematurely. The skills on show by the Fijians and their willingness to run from anywhere made them irresistible to watch and no doubt a unique challenge to defend against. On 60 minutes though they began to fade and the Wallabies set piece started to steady the ship for the Australians, who never looked completely out of the game. The tries scored by Kerevi and Koroibete finally put the Islanders to bed in what was eventually a strong, if not entirely comfortable win for the Aussies, who now turn their attentions to playing Wales this Sunday.
France 23 - 21 Argentina
Well if the first game was a tight affair, the second of the day looked like it might not be anything of the like, as France ran into a massive lead early on against Argentina. Two excellent tries from Gael Fickou and Antoine Dupont took the French into half time 20-3 up. Argentina however, came out for the second half with a rocket up their proverbial areas as France quickly shrunk. Argentina dominated both possession and territory and after some well worked tries, they brought the score back to 20-18. The drama wasn't done there as Los Pumas went ahead after a penalty kick, only for Camille Lopez to cancel it out with an outrageous drop goal from nearly 40 metres out, the score now 23-21. Both sides then missed penalties, before Argentina could and probably should have had a penalty in kicking range right at the death after a rather dodgy looking turnover by France, but it was denied by the officials. Victory Les Bleus!
New Zealand 23 - 13 South Africa
This was the big one! Billed by many as a dress rehearsal for the Final in November, both sides went into this game knowing the victory could have serious ramifications going forward. South Africa were fastest out of the blocks, they started with genuinely scary ferocity for the first 20. Some of the collisions looked massive and the All Blacks didn't look like they were in the game. However, much like England found out in the autumn, all that dominance must be converted into points against the world's best side, because they will come back. All the Springboks had to show for their efforts were 3 points from Handre Pollard. It wasn't long before New Zealand got going, one try from a South Africa dropped ball kicked through in midfield, and another came from quick ball and the intelligence of Beauden Barrett as he fed George Bridge. The Springboks didn't stop though, and it was so impressive to watch, the speed of the game was breathtaking, I genuinely can't see how any side in the world can deal with either one of these sides when they play like that. South Africa did get a try back, but the game finished 23-13 to the All Blacks. First blood to New Zealand, but do not dismiss the Springboks just yet.
