Monday 16 June 2014

Roundup: June Internationals Week 2

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A roundup of the weekend's action from the second week of June, where Samoa dominate Italy, Canada lost out in controversially whilst there were two other high scoring PNC matches.


 Samoa (9) 15
Italy Italy (0) 0

Samoa dominated Italy in wet, soggy conditions at Apia Park. The scoreline barely reflected the Samoans dominance. It was the Samoans who created the chances, it was the Samoans who dominated territory and possession and were in general control of the match throughout. Italy again scarcely threatened the Samoan defence.

If there were dry conditions, then it's probable that Samoa may have made the win more of a crowd pleaser. As it happens, they helped enormously by the biggest surprise factor of the game that was the scrum. Italy had just destroyed Fiji in that area scoring 2 penalty tries last week, this week Logovi'i Mulipola and James Johnston tore them apart and they were going backwards at a rate of knots. The penalties that resulted from this gave Samoa 6 points and created territory for more.

Given the disappointing sluggish performance against Tonga, Samoa will be pleased with the win which is now their fifth against Tier 1 opposition since 2011. This decade so far is already shaping up far better than the previous 2000-09 decade and the most successful group of Samoan players since the 1990's.

Stephen Betham's team now travel to Fiji for a big match against their Pacific Island rivals Fiji, who also dispatched Italy last week. With the Fijians and their talented outside backs stacked with firepower and showing good form against Tonga, Samoa's crown as the top Pacific Islander they have held for the last few years is not so assured. Their first meeting for 2 years is unpredictable and promises to be a cracker.

Samoa: 15 F Autagavaia; 14 F Otto (J Leota 71), 13 G Pisi, 12 A Leiua, 11 D Lemi (c); 10 T Pisi, 9 K Fotuali'i (V Afemai 71); 1 L Mulipola (S Taulafo 71), 2 T Paulo (O Avei 55), 3 J Johnston (C Johnston 55); 4 F Lemalu (P Fa'asalele 63), 5 D Leo; 6 O Treviranus, 7 J Lam, 8 K Thompson (M Fa'asavalu 55).
Penalties (5): T Pisi (10, 24, 30, 47, 69)

Italy: 15 L McLean; 14 A Esposito13 A Masi, 12 G García (T Iannone 77), 11 G Venditti10 T Allan (L Orquera 68), 9 T Tebaldi (G Palazzani 72); 1 A de Marchi (M Aguëro 53), 2 L Ghiraldini (A Manici 61), 3 L Cittadini (D Chistolini 53); 4 Q Geldenhuys (c), 5 G Biagi (M Bortolami 71); 6 J Furno, 7 M Bergamasco, 8 R Barbieri (M Vosawai 68).
Sin Bin: Bergamasco

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland) | Venue: Apia Park | Attendance: 7,000

 Fiji (24) 45
 Tonga (3) 17

This was another classically bizarre game that Fiji were involved in. At about 25 minutes, Tonga had 81% territory yet were 17-3 down and about to go 24-3 down. The Flying Fijians tries were long distance classics, the type that Fiji are famous for. But it was not particularly a classic match, with a lot of it quite disjointed.

Tonga fought hard away in Samoa, but this match as a contest was over quite quickly with Fiji getting a sizeable lead relatively early on. Coach John McKee had made several adjustments to his backline from last week against Italy, and yet again the backline from 11-15 was entirely made up of wingers, along with a winger playing scrum half in Matawalu. But the depth of talented strike running wingers that Fiji have is incredible.

Two of the Top 14's most potent try scorers in Napolioni Nalaga and Metuisela Talebula were left out of the starting lineup for this game, but in their place Watisoni Votu and the 38 year Sireli Bobo were just as effective and dangerous finishers. Bobo in particular thrived just as he did last year, and it isn't implausible he could have played himself into a starting spot next week.

Most of Fiji's attack as ever came from turnovers. Tonga despite having plenty of possession were sloppy, and we all know from a turnover and disorganised defence Fiji can strike from anywhere.

They opened their account with a nice chip kick by Jonetani Ralulu to set up Watisoni Votu, the turnover came from a poor pass by Siale Piutau. The second try by Nemani Nadolo stemmed from a slightly loose kick by David Halaifonua. The third try was the highlight of the match, Tonga attacking 5 metres out, Fiji turnover ball and Sireli Bobo finishes a 95 metre try.

After the fourth try just after 50 minutes from Watisoni Votu, set up with a lovely one two with Nikola Matawalu led to the game being done and dusted at 31-3. Fiji relaxed a bit from here and Tongan back rower Viliami Fihaki went over for a couple of consolation tries, but with their depleted side tiring and really starting to fall off tackles towards the end of the game Fiji put some extra gloss on the score with late tries for Bobo and Akapusi Qera.

With Samoa putting in a good forwards performance, and Fiji running in some trademark exhilarating 95 metre Fiji style tries, next week's game in Suva looks set to be very interesting. Tonga meanwhile finish their internationals and travel to New Zealand to face a Pacific Barbarians side in Auckland.

Fiji: 15 T Nagusa (M Talebula 49); 14 W Votu, 13 A Delai (W Nayacalevu 75), 12 N Nadolo, 11 S Bobo; 10 J Ralulu, 9 N Matawalu (N Kenatale 80); 1 C Ma'afu (J Yanuyanutawa 49), 2 T Talemaitoga (V Veikoso 74), 3 M Saulo (I Colati 49, M Saulo 70); 4 A Ratuniyarawa (A Naikatini 68), 5 L Nakarawa; 6 D Waqaniburotu, 7 M Ravulo (N Nagusa 40), 8 A Qera.
Tries (6): Votu (7, 52), Nadolo (13), Bobo (31, 79), Qera (81) Conversions (6): Nadolo (8, 14, 32, 53, 80, 81) Penalty (1): Nadolo (4) Sin Bin: Votu (63)

Tonga: 15 D Halaifonua; 14 F Vainikolo (W Helu 15), 13 S Piutau, 12 F Anderson, 11 A Taufa; 10 F Apikotoa (L Fosita 56), 9 S Fisilau (S Takalua 66); 1 T Mailau (O Fainga'anuku 48), 2 S Taufalele (P Ngauamo 48), 3 S Puafisi (E Aholelei 54); 4 J Afu, 5 D Faleafa (V Fihaki 63); 6 P Mapakaitolo (S Mafi 45), 7 N Latu (c), 8 V Ma'afu.
Tries (2): Fihaki (64, 69) Conversions (2): Fosita (65, 70) Penalty (1): Apikotoa (22) Sin Bins: Taufa (79)

Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia) | Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka | Attendance: 5,850


 Canada (8) 17
Scotland Scotland (13) 19

Canada's last outing against Scotland was possibly an all time low point for the side, a 41-0 loss in Aberdeen to round off an utterly wretched November tour of Europe. Back then achieving the scalp of a Tier 1 nation, their last of which was Scotland back in 2002, seemed a long way off. But they nearly pulled off the upset here and will be bitterly disappointed and may feel a bit robbed in controversial circumstances.

The game got off to an unwanted start for the Canadians. Dropping the restart and then conceding 3 points from the following scrum. However it was clear after that the Canucks were well motivated and willing to channel the old toughness from vintage Canada sides of the 1990's. Immediately after the scrum penalty, captain Tyler Ardron set the tone by clobbering Peter Horne after a beautifully weighted restart by Hearn.

Canada showed strong resolve, and the defence that leaked 3 second half tries last week against Japan was more than willing to soak up Scottish pressure without giving in. It was actually Canada who were making the more clean breaks and runs of the two sides, with 7's starts Hearn, Jones and Mack along with a much improved Taylor Paris looking penetrative.

Mack had a try disallowed, but then Hearn who has been on impressive form this month at 13 wonderfully created a try for his wing Jeff Hassler. The centre has now has a try and 2 assists so far this June.

Canada did crack once in the first half where Scotland got turnover ball to get 5 metres out and Grant Gilchrist running at Harry Jones from close range who failed to prevent him going over. Despite competing will in many facets, the set piece was also again messy for Canada.

Although the scrum was not going backwards anywhere near anything like last week where Canada were shunted all over the park, when the scrum flopped the referee tended to give Scotland the benefit of the doubt and this resulted in leaking 6 points. Those points proved crucial by the end of the match.

The first half was a pretty even affair with Scotland up 13-8, but in the second half Canada must have been fired up and determined not to see a repeat of last week's second half and had a good team talk from coach Kieran Crowley as the came out firing.

They made a few mistakes, but the desire, effort and determination was clear to see. Unfortunately for them certain things didn't go their way. Whilst Stuart Hogg nailed a kick from well over 50 metres, James Pritchard hit the post with an attempt.

At 14-16 down with about 12 minutes to go, the crowd really started to create an atmosphere and roared on their side which appeared to help the Canadians as they pounded pressure on the Scots in creating a penalty to retake the lead with 10 minutes to go. A lead that was hastily undone by a mishit kick by Scottish scrum half Gordon McRorie which led to an offside. A very soft way for the Scots to get back in front.

Canada came firing back and created another very kickable penalty but then came the controversy. A few phases earlier hard working flanker Jebb Sinclair had bashed over Ruaridh Jackson, and the referee went to the TMO to check if he had led into the tackle with his elbow. It seemed from the moment he called it back that referee Mike Fraser had almost made up his mind about the decision, it was to be red.

The penalty chance was lost, Sinclair was pissed off as were the Canadian fans who were minutes away from their first Tier 1 scalp for 12 years. After the match the general view appeared to be that Fraser had made a big error, the red was ridiculous and the penalty was extremely harsh. That Sinclair has been let off free by the disciplinary committee appears to lend added weight to these views. This was Fraser's second controversial finish to a game in his past three internationals, after Georgia got burgled against the USA last November.

Despite the loss, Canada won admirers from neutrals and fans from Scotland who helped create one of the best atmospheres the country has had for a rugby game. Hopefully this result will help lead to a gradual boost in interest for rugby in the country.

Canada: 15 J Pritchard; 14 J Hassler, 13 C Hearn, 12 N Blevins (C Braid 63), 11 T Paris (DTH van der Merwe 43); 10 H Jones, 9 P Mack (G McRorie 70); 1 H Buydens (A Tiedemann 54), 2 A Carpenter (R Barkwill 58), 3 J Marshall (J Ilnicki 77); 4 T Hotson, 5 J Cudmore; 6 J Sinclair, 7 J Moonlight, 8 T Ardron (c).
Try (1): Hassler (22) Penalties (4): Pritchard (20, 43, 51, 70) Red Card: Sinclair (75)

Scotland: 15 S Hogg; 14 S Maitland, 13 S Lamont, 12 P Horne, 11 T Visser (M Evans 73); 10 F Russell (R Jackson 61, G Hart 75), 9 G Laidlaw (c); 1 G Reid, 2 S Lawson, 3 M Low (G Cross 47); 4 R Gray, 5 G Gilchrist; 6 A Strokosch (B Cowan 30), 7 K Brown (K Low 47), 8 J Beattie (K Bryce 59).
Try (1): Gilchrist (27) Conversion (1): Laidlaw (28) Penalties (4): Laidlaw (2, 38, 71), Hogg (60)

Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand) | Venue: BMO Field, Toronto | Attendance: 18,788


 USA (17) 29
 Japan (17) 37

Japan were again involved in yet another great game for the neutral, as they extended their winning streak 9 games.

The USA were a bit a disappointing and flat against Scotland and confidence in their coaching team in leading their progression has been dwindling, a bad defeat here at home would have been awful for Eagles fans to endure.Fortunately they managed 4 tries and looked a little better perhaps but still were simply not good enough and ultimately the never really looked they were going to win. After Japan regained a lead there was no doubt they were the better side, and the final scoreline in the end possibly flattered the USA a bit.

As expected the old problem area of the scrum came up again as Japan created 2 pushover tries for number 8 Ryu Holani and dominated winning penalties. Also the traditional Eagles strength at the lineout had a bit of an off day, with Justin Ives and Michael Leitch pinching balls of their throw. Also although they scored 4 tries, they are not going to be up against a winger having a complete defensive horror show every week, so that's not a question fully answered either.

Like the USA, Japan also have both positives and negatives from the game. The Cherry Blossoms fronted up physically and hit the physical USA runners on the gainline well, the set piece was functioning well and there was a nice finish by Akihito Yamada for his first try against a top 20 nation.

However the fact they conceded 4 tries is a bit of a concern. Last year we saw New Zealand's final total look a little bit flattering with some gifts of tries, and a guilty part that day Ryu Holani threw a loopy intercept for the first try against the run of play. However Holani had a pretty good game besides that.

Unfortunately one other player didn't have a decent game, and I'm afraid he will need to be singled out. Young Kenki Fukuoka, the exciting 21 year old speed merchant on the wing in his first game back after 6 months out with injury, simply put had a complete and utter disaster of a game. It is not inaccurate to say that it was thanks to the young speedster that the game wasn't the comprehensive win that some had forseen.

Fukuoka's first howler was getting the ball punched out of his grasp by Folau Niua after going over the tryline. Following that he simply was completely at sea defensively, all of Blaine Scully's entire hat trick stemmed from his missed tackles. Overall, Fukuoka's defence conceded 19 points, plus the botched 7 points for the try, so in all he probably cost 26 points to Japan. He is still very young at just 21, has undoubted talent and ought to bounce back, but that must rank as one of the worst games of his life.

It will be interesting to see whether Eddie Jones backs Fukuoka for the big game next week after that, or goes for a safer option. If either Yoshikazu Fujita or Kotaro Matsushima were fit, you would assume the answer would be a no.

Overall Japan will be very happy to have won back to back away matches in North America, to follow on from their back to back to wins in Eastern Europe in 2012, now Eddie Jones' team just needs some wins in the Pacific Islands on his CV and there is an impressive travelling record. Next week's game against Italy promises to be a fascinating clash of styles as Japan go in search of another Tier 1 scalp with some momentum behind them.

USA: 15 C Wyles; 14 B Scully, 13 F Niua, 12 S Kelly, 11 T Maupin; 10 S Suniula, 9 M Petri; 1 N Wallace (E Fry 55), 2 P Thiel (T Coolican 59), 3 O Kilifi (T Lamositele 55); 4 S Manoa, 5 S LaValla; 6 D Barrett, 7 T Clever (K Sumsion 65), 8 C Dolan (L Stanfill 50).
Tries (4): Dolan (9), Scully (32, 61, 68) Conversions (3): Wyles (10, 33, 62) Penalty (1): Wyles (23)

Japan: 15 A Goromaru14 A Yamada13 M Sa'u12 Y Tamura11 K Fukuoka10 H Tatekawa9 F Tanaka (A Hiwasa 64)1 M Mikami (H Hirashima 55)2 S Horie3 K Hatakeyama4 S Ito (H Ono 58)5 L Thompson (S Makabe 70)6 J Ives7 M Leitch (c)8 R Holani (H Tui 58).
Tries (4): Tanaka (13), Yamada (27), Holani (43, 54) Conversions (4): Goromaru (14, 29, 44, 55) Penalties (3): Goromaru (20, 50, 75)

Referee: Greg Garner (England) | Venue: StubHub Center, Carson | Attendance: 6,382

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