The test matches of the non-Aussie Rugby Championship teams were closer than expected last weekend and the notable result was when Ireland beat the Springboks for the first time in South Africa.
Wales led the All Blacks at half time and were just four points behind with 13 minutes to go before the Kiwi bench took charge. Could they do “an Ireland” in the second test?
Argentina made heavy work against a modest Azzurri side last Saturday; how would they perform against a scratch France side famous for pulling results out of a hat when least expected?
New Zealand v Wales
by Brent Craig
Wales showed plenty of fight again but were overwhelmed in the third quarter of an outstanding test at Wellington’s Cake Tin.
Pre-match
With Julian Savea axed, Ben Smith was named at wing and Israel Dagg at fullback, each playing their 50th Test. Lock Sam Whitelock returned from injury replacing Luke Romano, who was dropped from the matchday 23.
For Wales Liam Williams shifted to wing for the injured George North with Rhys Patchell named at fullback. Luke Chateris replaced Bradley Davies at lock, and in the reserve flyhalf Rhys Preistland replaced Gareth Anscombe, and Jake Ball made way for Davies.
First half
The opening 15 minutes were played between the 22-metre lines, Welsh flyhalf Biggar breaking the stalemate with a 45 metre penalty. In the 20th minute the All Blacks turned down a wide shot from inside the 22 and from the resulting lineout halfback Smith threw a massive cut-out pass that fullback Dagg latched onto to score.
First-five Cruden put the All Blacks 10-3 in front with a penalty but shortly after was medi-cabbed off with what looked like a compression injury to the neck region, his night ending in Wellington hospital for scans.
On the stroke of half-time Wales scored through 101-Test lock Wyn-Jones after going coast-to-coast & back again from a lineout 22 metres out. Biggar converted to square the ledger at the break.
Half time score: 10-10.
Liam Williams – most impressive Wales’ player in two tests
Second half
This began much as the first half had, but the game changed dramatically between the 50th and 60th minutes.
Substitute All Black first-five Barrett put winger Ben Smith away and converted for a 17-10 lead; then Wales conceded a scrum close to their line from which Barrett scored under the posts and converted for 24-10; and finally wing Naholo was put in by some Aaron Smith and Barrett magic.
After the conversion NZ led 29-10 and Wales was done for.
Last-quarter tries to replacement All Black flanker Savea, impressive Welsh wing Williams and centre Roberts brought scoring proceedings to a close, though second-five Crotty went into touch before he could force the ball in a late All Black surge.
Final score: All Blacks 36 – Wales 22
Aaron Smith – GAGR man of the match
The Game Changer
In the 51st minute the All Blacks forced a scrum near the Welsh line from which Barrett scored. The gates opened and Wales never recovered.
Man of the match
Aaron Smith, by a short nose from Kieran Read. For the Welsh, fullback-cum-wing Liam Williams looks like a JPR Williams of the future (but without the Rhododendron-like sideburns). Jonathan Davies was also classy.
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South Africa v Ireland
by Mark Rooney
The Springboks produced an amazing second half comeback to square the series and set up a decider next week in Port Elizabeth.
First half
South Africa opened the scoring from the kicking tee as Ireland were pinged in the scrum. Jantjies landed a long range kick to make it 3-0 after four minutes.
Ireland responded with four penalties of their own over the next 25 minutes to lead 12-3 with ten to go to the break.
The familiar problems from last week were still evident in the South African display in the first half. They made mistakes with ball in hand and their kicks were wayward.
The first try came when Trimble beat Mvovo to a bouncing ball and flicked it back between the Springboks legs to Payne. Ruddock then produced a fantastic offload for Toner to rumble over.
The Boks were booed off as Ireland took a 19-3 lead into the break.
Eben Etzebeth on the charge
Second half
The exposed Mvovo was replaced by local boy Combrinck who came off the bench with his Lion’s skipper, Whiteley.
South Africa upped the tempo in the second half. They were more accurate and with it they brought their power game.
As the third quarter came to a close Combrinck broke down the wing and powered through Jackson’s cover tackle to score in the corner. Jantjies added the extras to make it 19-10.
Ireland hit back quickly, driving a maul over from close range, Heaslip the scorer: Jackson making it 26-10 from out wide.
The floodgates then opened as the altitude took its toll on a tiring Ireland.
First Whiteley produced a nice step and stretched to score. That was followed by a Du Toit score under the posts. The lock burst over after a quick tap. With 70 minutes on the clock Ireland was still ahead 26-22 but the momentum was with the Springboks.
Jared Payne tackled by try-scorer Damian de Allende and Lionel Mapoe
The Irish needed to produce a defensive display akin to last week’s heroics in the final minutes. However they were out on their feet and De Allende battered his way through the Irish defence to put South Africa ahead with just five minutes on the clock.
A late penalty made the final score 32-26 to the Springboks, who regained some pride after last week’s defeat.
Key Moment
Combrinck’s try really fired up the Boks and gave them the belief that they could win this one.
Man of the Match
Combrinck only came on at half time but his try and general impact swung the momentum in South Africa’s favour.
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Argentina v France
by Marcelo Cardoza
The Pumas beat a young French side with a flurry of attacks that culminated in three tries. When the visitors fought back, the Argies incurred many penalties which helped the Europeans to dominate in some parts of the second half.
First half
The game was similar to the last test against Italy in Santa Fe: the Pumas had the initial dominance and tried to subdue France with running rugby style. When they moved the ball across the field, they broke the French defence. When they had to defend, they responded well but they were breached a few times.
Jules Plisson punished the bad discipline of the South Americans by kicking a penalty goal for France to open the scoring after eleven minutes. Argentina were to be penalised 14 times in the match compared to 8 by France: almost double. It’s a high figure at the international level.
Despite that, Argentina with his running rugby style, got ahead on the scoreboard from a penalty goal by Nicolas Sanchez and tries by Manuel Montero and Joaquín Tuculet ro make the score Argentina 17-3 at 30 minutes.
France responded soon after the kick-off with a rolling maul try to Remi Bonfils, one of the new French players. it was converted by Plisson, who had missed some penalty goals earlier.
Los Pumas had the early advantage in the half but stalled.
Half-time score: Argentina 17 – France 10.
Try scorer Remi Bonfils nabbed
Second half
France took the lead 19-17 at 53 minutes after three penalty goals by Plisson (and a yellow card to JO Desio of Argentina). But with bursts of attack, Argentina was able to retake the lead. A yellow card to Poirot of France and two penalty kicks by Sanchez made the score 23-19 for Argentina with 15 minutes remaining.
It was tight, but Guido Petti burst through for a marvellous individual try, running like a winger for over 50 metres to ensure the home win with seven minutes left. Sanchez converted.
Final score: Argentina 30 – France 19.
This is an important win for Argentina, with moments of running rugby style, against a renewed young French side without their top players.
Next Saturday will be the rematch, and Argentina will try to finish the June tests undefeated.
Lock Guido Petti puts the icing on the cake with a long distance try
Game changer: It was a tough game which was not decided until the 73rd minute when Guido Petti destroyed the hopes of the Europeans with his brilliant dash.
Man of the match: There were a few candidates but lock Guido Petti deserves it: he scored his second test match try, which ensured the win, and had a solid performance otherwise also.
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Stats courtesy of Opta Sports and NZ Herald
