While there aren’t many, there are still some. Although the international window officially closed a week ago with France’s victory over Japan, there were still tests to be played this Saturday. Not only did England host world champions South Africa when Wales hosted Australia.
Solid springbox
South Africa ended their Northern Hemisphere tour with a 27-13 win at Twickenham. The Springboks scored two tries from Kurt-Lee Arendse (33) and Eben Etzebeth (50) and England’s Henry Slade (72). However, results for the departing world champions remain mixed after two opening defeats in Ireland (19-16). in France (30-26)With two wins, Italy (63-21) and therefore England.
Rose’s Fifteen disappointed again on Saturday. Australian coach Eddie Jones’ side have won just one of their last six home matches. His collegiate record includes two defeats against Argentina (30-29), two defeats against South Africa, a comfortable win over Japan (52-13) and a draw in the last ten minutes against New Zealand (25-25) at Twickenham last Saturday.
The brilliant South African winger Kurt-Lee Arendse scored the game’s first try in the 33rd minute: opener Damien Willemse took the candle from Marcus Smith and passed Willy Le Roux, who came to lend him a hand, sending Arendse into the trail. Scrum-half Faf de Klerk missed the conversion and Jacques Nienaber’s side took a deserved eleven-point lead (14-3) into the break. In the 50th minute the Springboks went a little further with a powerful effort from the second row and former Toulon player Eben Etzebeth under the posts after center Damien de Allende’s percussion. An essay adapted by de Klerk.
The box was then reduced to fourteen after hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie (61st) charged Thomas du Toit very judiciously. The English seized the opportunity to regain their colors and score their only try with opener Henry Slade, converted by Owen Farrell (72nd), who was always uninspired with his kicks, especially an uncharacteristic 22m miss to the posts.
Amazing Wallabies
Australia sealed a stunning 34-39 win over Wales after leading 34-13 in Cardiff on Saturday. The Australians end their stay in Europe on a high note as they remain on a three-match losing streak France (30-29), Italy (first in history) And Ireland last week.
For the Welsh side, the defeat adds to the pressure on coach Wayne Pivac, whose men have won just three of their twelve matches in 2022 and suffered an embarrassing setback against Georgia last weekend.
Wales took the lead at the break (20-13) thanks to two tries from third row Jack Morgan and flanker Taulupe Faleto for his 100th cap against Australia (Folau Fainga’a). Things got serious for the Wallabies when winger Rio Dyer (34-13, 52) returned from the locker room after two fresh tries from Morgan.
It was young winger Mark Novak who sparked the Australian riots twice in ten minutes (58 and 68). Two yellow cards for Tipuric (67) – for tripping the Australian, who was spinning alone after a tackle – later led to Ryan Elias’ (74) Welsh collapse. The Australians capitalized on their numerical advantage to score two further tries, one from a penalty after a pack movement and a last two-minute hooker Lachlan Lonergan to grab the winner.
This allows Australia to advance two places in the world rankings and reach sixth place in 2022. The Springboks are fourth, well clear of Ireland (1st) and France (2nd).
Tv fanatic. Amateur food maven. Devoted webaholic. Travel lover. Entrepreneur. Evil writer. Beer guru.
