RWC: USA V Japan: Pool B

[mxyzptlk]

Ref: Glen Jackson
Asst. Refs: John Lacey, Frederico Anselmi
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

 

[mxyzptlk]

Halftime, 8-17 Japan.

Matsushima crossed over in the 7th minute for Japan. Tak Ngwenya bagged a try (unconverted) for the USA in the 24th minute, and Japan responded soon after with a try by Fujita.

Goromaru converted both of Japan's tries, and there's a penalty each for Goromaru and AJ MacGinty.

 

[mxyzptlk]

Another Goromaru penalty puts it to 8-20 Japan. USA showing some aggression and making their way into Japan's 22, but aren't quite clinical enough to score, either giving away penalties or suffering handling errors.

 

[mxyzptlk]

MacGinty slots a penalty at 55 minutes, and the ITV hosts can't tell the difference between Wonder Woman and Captain America.

11-20 Japan.

 

[mxyzptlk]

USA's Eric Fry repeatedly tries to kick the ball out at the ruck, and rightly gets carded. About a minute later Japan puts over another try, but Goromaru misses the conversion.

11-25 Japan.

 

[mxyzptlk]

Some good runs up the middle from Palamo and Barritt, sets up MacGinty to get the ball wide to Wyles for a try. AJ converts, and USA are within 7 with about 8 minutes to go.

18-25 Japan.

 

[mxyzptlk]

USA gives away another penalty with 4 minutes left, and Goromaru gladly converts it.

18-28 Japan.

 

[mxyzptlk]

Japan hold off the Americans, and the game ends 18-28 Japan. They also become the first team to win 3 of their pool matches and not make the QFs. Which is bananas.

 

[Blue]

No team should play this kind of rugby, win three games and get no reward. It really sucks.

 

[mxyzptlk]

No team should play this kind of rugby, win three games and get no reward. It really sucks.

I haven't worked it out yet, but I wonder if they did bonus points like they do in the Top 14 if France would have gone through. (Top 14 don't award a bonus point for 4 tries or more, they only award a bonus point if the winning team is at least three tries ahead of their opponent.)

 

[Pfitzy]

No team should play this kind of rugby, win three games and get no reward. It really sucks.

They kind of got fisted with the short turnaround to Scotland. If we had 6 teams per pool, and everyone getting minimum 5 day turnaround, it would be more fair.