Sunday 9 October 2011

New Zealand survive scare but South Africa go out

New Zealand’s rugby team survived a bad first half to beat Argentina but South Africa crashed out thanks to a loss against Australia.

The Springboks, clear favourites with New Zealand, dominated possession however couldn’t turn territory into points, and Australia led 8-3 at half-time. South Africa thought they had levelled things shortly after the break, but the pass was said to be forward.

However that didn’t matter as Morne Steyn kicked six points to put them reigning champions into a 9-8 lead. But O’Connor, for the Aussies, kicked a well-taken penalty to give them the win. 9-11 to Australia, and South Africa were out.

New Zealand’s opponents, Argentina, were expected to be a pushover but in fact gave the Kiwis a tough match. NZ led 12-7 at half-time, but Argentina had scored the only try, but Weepu kicked 4 penalties to help new Zealand lead. Marcelo Bosch kicked a penalty to scare New Zealand even more, but Weepu replied with a good hit. Without their no.1 kicker, Dan Carter, the normally brilliant Kiwis nearly lost out to fantastic Argentina. Luckily for New Zealand, however, they scored 2 tries to win 33-10.

Semi-final 2

Australia v New Zealand

Wales through, but England and Ireland crash out in the quarters of the RWC

Wales’ Rugby Union team got through to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, but England and Ireland crashed out.

Wales and Ireland faced each other in what everyone knew would be a close game.

But Wales took the advantage very early on as Shane Williams scored only his second ever try against Ireland and Rhys Priestland converted. Ireland, kept getting penalty after penalty, but they always kicked into touch to get a line-out, but Wales’ defence held out. Finally, Ronan O’Gara kicked the points easily, right in front of the posts. Wales then scored a superb penalty from Leigh Halfpenny, then it was half-time. 10-3 Wales.

Shortly after the second period had started, Keith Earls went over the line and O’Gara got the kick. 10 all. This is when Wales put on the gas. Two tries, from Jonathan Davies and Mike Phillips, and a second conversion from Priestland shattered Ireland’s hopes of reaching the Semi-Finals. For Wales, however, the dream is well and truly alive.

But for England it was a different story. Two first half tries and a couple of penalties meant France went into the break at 16-0 up. England tried in the second half, but despite two tries, from Foden and Cueto, they lost 19-12.

So now the semi-final is France v Wales. England fans feel like they’ve been robbed, but in truth France played well. Well done to Wales as well.

Semi-Final 1

France v Wales