| Final markers laid down ahead of World Cup |
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| Written by Ramaz Mitaishvili | |
| Tuesday, 28 August 2007 | |
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France continued their preparations for Rugby World Cup 2007 with a third win in as many weeks, this time a 34-7 triumph against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in a Test that saw Welsh captain Gareth Thomas stretchered off near the end.
Tries from second row Jérôme Thion and scum half Pierre Mignoni – the latter after Imanol Harinordoquy had charged down Dwayne Peel’s kick a metre from the Welsh line – gave France a 17-0 advantage after Lionel Beauxis’ early penalty. Wales struggled to break down the resolute French defence, only finding a way through on the stroke of half time when Martyn Williams sent James Hook through a gap, the fly half wriggling over the line and then converting his own try. However, conceding their first try in the August Tests merely gave France a renewed vigour and tries from Aurélien Rougerie and replacement hooker Sébastien Bruno saw the World Cup hosts to another morale boosting victory. South Africa were another side to enjoy a victory in their final Test before Rugby World Cup 2007 with three tries in the space of seven first half minutes setting the 1995 champions on the way to a 27-3 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield. Chris Paterson’s penalty had given Scotland an early lead but tries from wing Bryan Habana on his return from injury, centre Jaque Fourie and scrum half Fourie du Preez gave the Springboks a 24-3 lead after only 28 minutes. However, the Springboks only managed another penalty from Percy Montgomery in the rest of the match, while Scotland number 8 Dave Callam is to see a facial surgeon on Monday after suffering blurred vision from a blow above his right eye in an accidental clash of heads. Ireland escape with victory Ireland will also go into Rugby World Cup 2007 on the back of a victory, but only after the television match official awarded a last minute try to Ronan O’Gara to deny Italy the victory their performance at Ravenhill had deserved on Friday night. The home side had trailed 20-16 after Matteo Pratichetti scored a breakaway try following a knock on by Andrew Trimble in the Italian 22 to leave Ireland staring defeat in the face before O’Gara was adjudged to have grounded the ball. Italy had played with passion and endeavour throughout and if they can take the same performances into the World Cup, a first quarterfinal appearance could be the reward for Pierre Berbizier’s improving side, whose other try came through Alessandro Troncon. Elsewhere Japan ran out 15-13 winners over Portugal in a practice match in Venice on Saturday, but at a cost with Eiji Ando injuring his knee and star wing Daisuke Ohata, the world’s record try scorer, suffering another Achilles tendon injury. In Brussels tries from José María Núñez Piossek, Martín Schusterman, Horacio Agulla, Manual Contepomi and Hernan Senillosa gave Argentina a 36-8 win against a Belgium XV on Saturday with fullback Alan Williams scoring the hosts’ only points. The Pumas fielded far from their strongest line up that will turn out against Pool D rivals France and Ireland at Rugby World Cup 2007 next month, while the Belgium XV contained a number of veteran French players for the friendly. Canada also enjoyed a comfortable victory over Newfoundland Rock in St John’s, although only after four tries turned a slender 12-10 half time advantage into a 40-10 victory as their superior fitness and conditioning ultimately told. Mixed success in friendly matches Adam Kleeberger, Nick Trenkel, Kevin Tkachuk, Mike Pletch, Mike Burak and Ander Monro scored Canada’s tries with fly half Monro converting five of his side’s six tries in a match that coach Ric Suggitt said had seen his side “tested”. The weekend also saw a hat-trick of victories for the Pacific island nations with Tonga easing to a 26-14 defeat of Scottish side Edinburgh, Samoa overcoming former English Premiership champions Sale Sharks 26-7 and Fiji beating French Top 14 side Albi 47-24. Tries from centre Sukanaivalu Huafanga, Vungakoto Lilo, wing Tevita Tu’ifua and replacement Lisiate Fa’aoso saw Tonga to victory, while Alesana Tuilagi scored two tries and created a third for Samoa in their third match against English clubs in the last week. “It was very important for us to have these couple of games before the RWC, it gives the boys confidence and us coaches a fair idea of the different combinations and options we have,” Tonga coach Fielea Quddus said Fiji meanwhile bounced back from a 29-20 defeat by Auch on Wednesday to beat Albi with Akapusi Qera, Vilimoni Delasau (2), Kameli Ratuvou, Seru Rabeni, Sisa Koyamaibole and Jone Daunivucu scoring the tries in St Affrique. There was to be no victory, though, for the USA Eagles in their friendly against Munster on Sunday, the Irish province recovering from 6-0 after two Mike Hercus penalties to win 10-6 before a crowd of 8,000. The teams now head back to their respective camps to iron out any issues thrown up by their last Tests or friendly matches before converging on France for the sixth Rugby World Cup, which kicks off in only 11 days time at the Stade de France in Paris. |
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