A roundup of the weekend's action from the final week of the June window where Samoa kept their status as top Pacific Island, Japan took a Tier 1 scalp and USA ended a long losing streak.
Fiji (5) 13
Samoa (15) 18
Samoa have been comfortably the top of the 3 Pacific Islands over recent years, however with a drop off in form and a sub par performance against Tonga whilst Fiji have been a lot better over the past 12 months their position was in a bit of question.
The Samoans though have rebounded robustly from that disappointing game against Tonga though, last week they bullied about Italy up front to record a dominant 15-0 win. And this week they countered Fiji far more effectively than either Tonga or Italy did over the past couple of weeks.
Unlike Italy who squandered their massive advantage at the set piece for foolishly spreading the ball wide and ending up losing it, or Tonga who just made far too many errors. Samoa played efficient, low risk rugby keeping the error count low and producing points through mauls, scrums and good work at the breakdown.
When Fiji were in possession, unlike the Italians or Tongans the Samoans managed to stay better organised. Flanker Jack Lam had a terrific game at the breakdown, and Fiji rarely got much opportunity of turnovers against a ragged defence. Although one of the times they did, they were as ever dangerous as Nemani Nadolo again scored his 7th try in 7 consecutive matches.
Although Metuisela Talebula and Nikola Matawalu also helped create a second try for Napolioni Nalaga, generally for most of the match Samoa were controlling the pace of the game and containing the Fijians.
Samoa themselves weren't particularly threatening in attack either, and their last 36 points in international rugby have come from the boot of Tusi Pisi with it being two games in a row won just on penalties. However that lack of tries shouldn't be of over concern for now, as both games were solid enough performances to get back on a winning run after a few losses.
For Fiji they have a rather obvious flaw at the scrum. Whilst possessing an immense amount of strike runners and finishers in the backline may help make up for it against Romania and Italy, teams like England and Wales at the World Cup will be far stronger and Fiji may simply barely get any quality possession against them without a functioning set piece. The Fijian scrum if anything has got worse under the new engagement sequence.
Fiji: 15 M Talebula; 14 N Nalaga, 13 A Tikoirotuma, 12 N Nadolo, 11 S Bobo (W Votu 58); 10 J Ralulu, 9 N Matawalu; 1 C Ma'afu (J Yanuyanutawa 65), 2 T Talemaitoga, 3 M Saulo; 4 A Ratuniyarawa (W Lewaravu 65), 5 L Nakarawa; 6 D Waqaniburotu, 7 A Qera (c), 8 N Nagusa (M Ravulo 76).
Tries (2): Nadolo (11), Nalaga (42) Penalty (1): Nadolo (45) Sin Bin: Nakarawa (59)
The Samoans though have rebounded robustly from that disappointing game against Tonga though, last week they bullied about Italy up front to record a dominant 15-0 win. And this week they countered Fiji far more effectively than either Tonga or Italy did over the past couple of weeks.
Unlike Italy who squandered their massive advantage at the set piece for foolishly spreading the ball wide and ending up losing it, or Tonga who just made far too many errors. Samoa played efficient, low risk rugby keeping the error count low and producing points through mauls, scrums and good work at the breakdown.
When Fiji were in possession, unlike the Italians or Tongans the Samoans managed to stay better organised. Flanker Jack Lam had a terrific game at the breakdown, and Fiji rarely got much opportunity of turnovers against a ragged defence. Although one of the times they did, they were as ever dangerous as Nemani Nadolo again scored his 7th try in 7 consecutive matches.
Although Metuisela Talebula and Nikola Matawalu also helped create a second try for Napolioni Nalaga, generally for most of the match Samoa were controlling the pace of the game and containing the Fijians.
Samoa themselves weren't particularly threatening in attack either, and their last 36 points in international rugby have come from the boot of Tusi Pisi with it being two games in a row won just on penalties. However that lack of tries shouldn't be of over concern for now, as both games were solid enough performances to get back on a winning run after a few losses.
For Fiji they have a rather obvious flaw at the scrum. Whilst possessing an immense amount of strike runners and finishers in the backline may help make up for it against Romania and Italy, teams like England and Wales at the World Cup will be far stronger and Fiji may simply barely get any quality possession against them without a functioning set piece. The Fijian scrum if anything has got worse under the new engagement sequence.
Fiji: 15 M Talebula; 14 N Nalaga, 13 A Tikoirotuma, 12 N Nadolo, 11 S Bobo (W Votu 58); 10 J Ralulu, 9 N Matawalu; 1 C Ma'afu (J Yanuyanutawa 65), 2 T Talemaitoga, 3 M Saulo; 4 A Ratuniyarawa (W Lewaravu 65), 5 L Nakarawa; 6 D Waqaniburotu, 7 A Qera (c), 8 N Nagusa (M Ravulo 76).
Tries (2): Nadolo (11), Nalaga (42) Penalty (1): Nadolo (45) Sin Bin: Nakarawa (59)
Samoa: 15 F Autagavaia; 14 F Otto (J Leota 71), 13 G Pisi, 12 J Leota, 11 D Lemi (c); 10 T Pisi, 9 K Fotuali'i (V Afemai 71); 1 L Mulipola, 2 T Paulo (O Avei 53), 3 J Johnston (C Johnston 50); 4 F Paulo (J Tekori 55), 5 D Leo; 6 M Fa'asavalu, 7 J Lam, 8 T Tuifu'a (P Fa'asalele 73).
Penalties (6): T Pisi (2, 16, 25, 28, 40, 64) Sin Bin: Otto (51), Lemi (73)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France) | Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka | Attendance: 7,350
Penalties (6): T Pisi (2, 16, 25, 28, 40, 64) Sin Bin: Otto (51), Lemi (73)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France) | Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka | Attendance: 7,350
Japan (13) 26
Italy (13) 23
This game was in many ways set up for Japan to take a Tier 1 scalp. The Cherry Blossoms were coming into the game off the back of a 9 game winning run and back to back away wins in North America, Italy were coming into it off an 8 game losing streak, had just won 1 of their last 13, and are notorious bad travellers having won just 3 of their last 34 away games.
In addition to this, Japan also had considerably better half backs and a scrum that unlike the North Americans can now hold its own at this level meaning Italy wouldn't be digging themselves out a hole in the way that they could against Canada 2 years ago, or Japan 3 years ago.
Japan took the lead early after a Ryu Holani break set up a try for Akihito Yamada to put them 7-0 up, and from there the Cherry Blossoms controlled the majority of the match.
However Japan's control and dominance didn't really get properly told on the scoreboard. Often they spent minutes patiently attacking and getting a hard earned 3 points, and turned down penalties on a couple of occasions to quick tap and up the pace only for it to result in another bunch of phases leading to a penalty. Italy were getting penalised most time Japan had a prolonged time in their half, but equally not a rate that led to many sin bins with only Gionvanbattista Venditti copping a team yellow early in the second half.
Italy meanwhile despite clearly being the second best got their points a bit quicker. Japan botched a lineout close to their own line for an early jump and with the defence then disorganised, Italy spread the ball wide and Akihito Yamada to get himself sin binned and concede a penalty try for a deliberate knock on. It was unfortunate for Japan, as it was about the only minute that Italy looked like really threatening to score a try in the first 60 minutes.
Italy's backs were, to be frank, just dreadful. We saw exactly the same thing happen over and over during the Fiji match as well. Italy pass the ball down the line and either a) someone drops it or b) they run in to touch. There was not one Italian back that Japan would be really envious of in this game, apart from maybe Venditti who although made some errors was busy and bustling and in the end created a try for Robert Barbieri which stemmed from a poor missed touch by Yu Tamura after a late Italian rally.
However by the time of that late rally, Italy were already 10 points behind thanks to a Male Sa'u try following a long period of pressure in their 22. To their credit Italy's defence hasn't been utterly porous this June and crack like it did against Samoa a year ago, but when their attack keep fumbling and knocking on then there's only so much pressure it can take against the strike runners of Fiji or the phase play of Japan. Italy were rarely going many phases, but Japan were making metres over dozens of phases and their handling was far better.
The result was pretty much finished when Japan went 10 points ahead as it was pretty clear the Italian attack was not going to have enough to come back from over a converted try down. When they did eventually peg the margin back to 3 points, they didn't get back into Japan's half again as the clock got wound down with a series of scrums. Japan were getting resets, free kicks, penalties which all just resulted in another scrum until the final whistle when a penalty (although kickable) was kicked out to secure the win.
This victory may not have been Japan's easiest on the eye performance and the margin wasn't the most flattering, but it was a very solid win nevertheless and the first ever over Italy after losing 52-6 in this fixture 8 years ago. A year ago Japan would have probably lost this, dragged down by a lack of belief and Italy reeling them back in with scrums and mauls like they did in the 2011 game where Japan lost by 7 points.
The progression this year of the Japan without a doubt hinges on the scrum. That area of the game is so crucial that you are severely handicapping yourselves if it isn't functioning. Not just with the penalties you gain or concede, but with the platform of possession it creates. The scrum improved in 2013, but this year it has got up another level. At one point it shunted the Italians back 10 metres in the first half, who would have thought that 2 years ago?
In addition to this, Japan also had considerably better half backs and a scrum that unlike the North Americans can now hold its own at this level meaning Italy wouldn't be digging themselves out a hole in the way that they could against Canada 2 years ago, or Japan 3 years ago.
Japan took the lead early after a Ryu Holani break set up a try for Akihito Yamada to put them 7-0 up, and from there the Cherry Blossoms controlled the majority of the match.
However Japan's control and dominance didn't really get properly told on the scoreboard. Often they spent minutes patiently attacking and getting a hard earned 3 points, and turned down penalties on a couple of occasions to quick tap and up the pace only for it to result in another bunch of phases leading to a penalty. Italy were getting penalised most time Japan had a prolonged time in their half, but equally not a rate that led to many sin bins with only Gionvanbattista Venditti copping a team yellow early in the second half.
Italy meanwhile despite clearly being the second best got their points a bit quicker. Japan botched a lineout close to their own line for an early jump and with the defence then disorganised, Italy spread the ball wide and Akihito Yamada to get himself sin binned and concede a penalty try for a deliberate knock on. It was unfortunate for Japan, as it was about the only minute that Italy looked like really threatening to score a try in the first 60 minutes.
Italy's backs were, to be frank, just dreadful. We saw exactly the same thing happen over and over during the Fiji match as well. Italy pass the ball down the line and either a) someone drops it or b) they run in to touch. There was not one Italian back that Japan would be really envious of in this game, apart from maybe Venditti who although made some errors was busy and bustling and in the end created a try for Robert Barbieri which stemmed from a poor missed touch by Yu Tamura after a late Italian rally.
However by the time of that late rally, Italy were already 10 points behind thanks to a Male Sa'u try following a long period of pressure in their 22. To their credit Italy's defence hasn't been utterly porous this June and crack like it did against Samoa a year ago, but when their attack keep fumbling and knocking on then there's only so much pressure it can take against the strike runners of Fiji or the phase play of Japan. Italy were rarely going many phases, but Japan were making metres over dozens of phases and their handling was far better.
The result was pretty much finished when Japan went 10 points ahead as it was pretty clear the Italian attack was not going to have enough to come back from over a converted try down. When they did eventually peg the margin back to 3 points, they didn't get back into Japan's half again as the clock got wound down with a series of scrums. Japan were getting resets, free kicks, penalties which all just resulted in another scrum until the final whistle when a penalty (although kickable) was kicked out to secure the win.
This victory may not have been Japan's easiest on the eye performance and the margin wasn't the most flattering, but it was a very solid win nevertheless and the first ever over Italy after losing 52-6 in this fixture 8 years ago. A year ago Japan would have probably lost this, dragged down by a lack of belief and Italy reeling them back in with scrums and mauls like they did in the 2011 game where Japan lost by 7 points.
The progression this year of the Japan without a doubt hinges on the scrum. That area of the game is so crucial that you are severely handicapping yourselves if it isn't functioning. Not just with the penalties you gain or concede, but with the platform of possession it creates. The scrum improved in 2013, but this year it has got up another level. At one point it shunted the Italians back 10 metres in the first half, who would have thought that 2 years ago?
Japan: 15 A Goromaru; 14 A Yamada, 13 M Sa'u, 12 Y Tamura, 11 K Fukuoka; 10 H Tatekawa, 9 F Tanaka (A Hiwasa 64); 1 M Mikami (H Hirashima 63), 2 S Horie, 3 K Hatakeyama (H Yamashita 74); 4 S Ito (H Ono 64), 5 L Thompson (S Makabe 74); 6 J Ives, 7 M Leitch (c), 8 R Holani (S Makabe 59-64, H Tui 74).
Tries (2): Yamada (4), Sa'u (59) Conversions (2): Goromaru (5, 60) Penalties (4): Goromaru (13, 22, 42, 48) Sin Bin: Yamada (17)
Italy: 15 L McLean; 14 L Sarto (T Iannone 74), 13 M Campagnaro, 12 G García, 11 G Venditti; 10 L Orquera (T Allan 74), 9 T Tebaldi (G Palazzani 64); 1 Al de Marchi (An de Marchi 59), 2 L Ghiraldini (A Manici 67), 3 L Cittadini (D Chistolini 59); 4 Q Geldenhuys (c), 5 M Bortolami (M Fuser 68); 6 J Furno, 7 M Bergamasco (M Vosawai 60), 8 R Barbieri.
Tries (2): Penalty Try (17), Barbieri (74) Conversions (2): Orquera (17), Allan (75) Penalties (3): Orquera (7, 35, 52) Sin Bin: Venditti (42)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) | Venue: Chichibunomiya Stadium, Tokyo | Attendance: 13,816
USA (18) 38
Canada (28) 35
The USA finally ended a 14 match losing streak against PNC opposition and a 7 match losing streak against their North American rivals Canada in a high scoring game in the heat of Sacramento.
The game was a topsy turvy affair, but ultimately ended up being the same old story for Canada. The USA took an early lead, but a 4 minute Canadian rush put them 28-18 ahead going into the break and Ciaran Hearn then scored right from the off in the second half to bring the Canucks 35-18 ahead.
After seemingly having sorted the second half problems with a strong last 40 against Scotland, Canada yet again wilted like they did again Japan conceding 20 unanswered points as the Eagles sneaked the win. Crowley used 5 of this bench by half time which actually suggests he was using this game to have a test of certain players, as opposed to winning first and foremost. There is no way that Jeff Hassler would be taken off at half time for a rusty Nathan Hirayama making his return from injury in a must win game.
The high temperatures and dry pitch made it ideal conditions for the American loose forwards to thrive, with Samu Manoa, Todd Clever and Danny Barrett all bringing big carrying games to the park. The 24 year old Barrett has looked an interesting prospect, a raw talent with some rough edges, he is a player who could certainly benefit from a move to a professional club.
Those USA loose forwards were a large part of the reason for the win, with Blaine Scully also turning out to join Chris Wyles as a very consistent member of the back three. This time last year Scully was not a first choice, but since his move to Leicester he has gone from strength to strength and now and is one of the first names on the teamsheet, his 2 tries here was his 5th in 2 games.
Pressure on USA coach Mike Tolkin will have eased a little for this win, and it's hard to see him not reaching the World Cup from this point now. So in some ways this win may be a mixed blessing for Eagles fans. This was the best performance of 2014 so far, but they still have a lot of work to do. With Canada who aren't the strongest scrummagers either fielding their second choice props, the Eagles managed to get away with their scrum not being decimated as it has been in every other game this year.
For Canada, coach Kieran Crowley has some issues to address following a disappointing month. There were some positives for him and it wasn't entirely all doom and gloom, but it was still 3 losses from 3 and in all it is 5 straight losses against World Cup sides and Tyler Ardron still hasn't yet won a game as captain. November's tour may be an important few games for Crowley to build some momentum approaching the World Cup where his side enters an all European pool.
USA: 15 C Wyles (L Hume 75); 14 B Scully, 13 S Kelly, 12 T Palamo (F Niua 44), 11 B Thompson; 10 S Suniula, 9 M Petri; 1 N Wallace (E Fry 71), 2 P Thiel (T Coolican 47), 3 O Kilifi (T Lamositele 48); 4 S Manoa, 5 H Smith (L Stanfill 63); 6 T Clever (c), 7 S LaValla, 8 D Barrett.
Tries (4): Scully (26, 60), Wyles (31), Thompson (70) Conversions (3): Wyles (32, 61, 71) Penalties (4): Wyles (5, 11, 52, 68) Sin Bin: S LaValla (80)
Canada: 15 J Pritchard; 14 J Hassler (N Hirayama 40), 13 C Hearn, 12 C Braid, 11 DTH van der Merwe; 10 H Jones, 9 P Mack (G McRorie 34); 1 A Tiedemann (H Buydens 40), 2 A Carpenter (R Barkwill 62), 3 J Ilnicki (J Marshall 40); 4 J Cudmore, 5 T Hotson (K Gilmour 40); 6 J Sinclair, 7 J Moonlight, 8 T Ardron (c, J Phelan 56).
Tries (5): Jones (22, 43), Carpenter (36), Pritchard (39), Hearn (40) Conversions (5): Pritchard (24, 36, 39, 40, 40) Sin Bin: Mack (9), Sinclair (52)
The game was a topsy turvy affair, but ultimately ended up being the same old story for Canada. The USA took an early lead, but a 4 minute Canadian rush put them 28-18 ahead going into the break and Ciaran Hearn then scored right from the off in the second half to bring the Canucks 35-18 ahead.
After seemingly having sorted the second half problems with a strong last 40 against Scotland, Canada yet again wilted like they did again Japan conceding 20 unanswered points as the Eagles sneaked the win. Crowley used 5 of this bench by half time which actually suggests he was using this game to have a test of certain players, as opposed to winning first and foremost. There is no way that Jeff Hassler would be taken off at half time for a rusty Nathan Hirayama making his return from injury in a must win game.
The high temperatures and dry pitch made it ideal conditions for the American loose forwards to thrive, with Samu Manoa, Todd Clever and Danny Barrett all bringing big carrying games to the park. The 24 year old Barrett has looked an interesting prospect, a raw talent with some rough edges, he is a player who could certainly benefit from a move to a professional club.
Those USA loose forwards were a large part of the reason for the win, with Blaine Scully also turning out to join Chris Wyles as a very consistent member of the back three. This time last year Scully was not a first choice, but since his move to Leicester he has gone from strength to strength and now and is one of the first names on the teamsheet, his 2 tries here was his 5th in 2 games.
Pressure on USA coach Mike Tolkin will have eased a little for this win, and it's hard to see him not reaching the World Cup from this point now. So in some ways this win may be a mixed blessing for Eagles fans. This was the best performance of 2014 so far, but they still have a lot of work to do. With Canada who aren't the strongest scrummagers either fielding their second choice props, the Eagles managed to get away with their scrum not being decimated as it has been in every other game this year.
For Canada, coach Kieran Crowley has some issues to address following a disappointing month. There were some positives for him and it wasn't entirely all doom and gloom, but it was still 3 losses from 3 and in all it is 5 straight losses against World Cup sides and Tyler Ardron still hasn't yet won a game as captain. November's tour may be an important few games for Crowley to build some momentum approaching the World Cup where his side enters an all European pool.
USA: 15 C Wyles (L Hume 75); 14 B Scully, 13 S Kelly, 12 T Palamo (F Niua 44), 11 B Thompson; 10 S Suniula, 9 M Petri; 1 N Wallace (E Fry 71), 2 P Thiel (T Coolican 47), 3 O Kilifi (T Lamositele 48); 4 S Manoa, 5 H Smith (L Stanfill 63); 6 T Clever (c), 7 S LaValla, 8 D Barrett.
Tries (4): Scully (26, 60), Wyles (31), Thompson (70) Conversions (3): Wyles (32, 61, 71) Penalties (4): Wyles (5, 11, 52, 68) Sin Bin: S LaValla (80)
Canada: 15 J Pritchard; 14 J Hassler (N Hirayama 40), 13 C Hearn, 12 C Braid, 11 DTH van der Merwe; 10 H Jones, 9 P Mack (G McRorie 34); 1 A Tiedemann (H Buydens 40), 2 A Carpenter (R Barkwill 62), 3 J Ilnicki (J Marshall 40); 4 J Cudmore, 5 T Hotson (K Gilmour 40); 6 J Sinclair, 7 J Moonlight, 8 T Ardron (c, J Phelan 56).
Tries (5): Jones (22, 43), Carpenter (36), Pritchard (39), Hearn (40) Conversions (5): Pritchard (24, 36, 39, 40, 40) Sin Bin: Mack (9), Sinclair (52)
Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa) | Venue: Bonney Field, Sacramento | Attendance: 7,804
Pacific Barbarians (7) 14
Tonga (24) 36There was one final game as Tonga rounded of their June matches with a 36-14 win in a non test game against the Pacific Barbarians in Auckland.
The Pacific Barbarians side was a mostly young Pacific Islanders from New Zealand, and was captained by 40 year old Justin Marshall who despite his age continues to pop up in these type of matches after last year he played against the full Fiji side for a game for the Classic All Blacks. Another interesting member of the squad was the bench scrum half Taniela Moa, who was oddly absent from the Tonga squad this month. Ex All Black Sione Lauaki also made a comeback from the bench after retiring 2 years ago due to health problems.
It must be noted that the Pacific Barbarians organisers completely lied about the make up of the side. They claimed Digby Ioane, Tim Nanai-Williams, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Rene Ranger, Robbie Fruean, Jerry Collins, George Stowers, Radike Samo, Joe Tekori, Mahonri Schwalger and Rodney "Rodzilla" Blake would all be playing and none of them were involved.
Tonga would have probably preferred a higher profile workout, they were the only PNC side not to get a match against a 6 Nations side this June and haven't played a test in Nuku'alofa for over 5 years now. It is unclear the precise reasons behind that, but it is possibly due to something going on behind the scenes with the Tongan Rugby Union and the IRB.
Pacific Barbarians: 15 N Nu'u; 14 D Smith, 13 V Fili, 12 P Hala, 11 M Nemani; 10 H Jones, 9 J Marshall (c); 1 G Dewes, 2 S Penilatu, 3 P Taula; 4 H Mataele, 5 M Faleafa; 6 W Moetu, 7 F Lokotui, 8 J Tune.
Tries (2): Lokotui, Tupe Conversions (2)
Tonga: 15 O Katoa; 14 S Piutau, 13 A Taufa, 12 V Hakalo, 11 W Helu; 10 L Fosita, 9 S Fisilau; 1 K Sakalia, 2 P Ngauamo, 3 E Aholelei; 4 O Fonua, 5 L Fa'aoso; 6 S Mafi, 7 V Fihaki, 8 V Ma'afu (c).
Tries (6): Fihaki, Ma'afu, Fisilau, Katoa, Apikotoa Conversions (3)
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand) | Venue: Mount Smart Stadium, AucklandTries (2): Lokotui, Tupe Conversions (2)
Tonga: 15 O Katoa; 14 S Piutau, 13 A Taufa, 12 V Hakalo, 11 W Helu; 10 L Fosita, 9 S Fisilau; 1 K Sakalia, 2 P Ngauamo, 3 E Aholelei; 4 O Fonua, 5 L Fa'aoso; 6 S Mafi, 7 V Fihaki, 8 V Ma'afu (c).
Tries (6): Fihaki, Ma'afu, Fisilau, Katoa, Apikotoa Conversions (3)
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