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Last weekend the Rugby World Cup 2015 qualification rounds continued. The first match was in Suva, where Fiji hosted Cook Islands for the right to represent Oceania.
Surprisingly, Cook Islands took an early 6-5 but that soon disappeared as Fiji raced in for try after try.
Fiji scored a total of 17 tries for a final scoreline of 108-6, which would have been even higher had Fiji not dropped so much ball.
Fiji now proceeds to group A for the finals alongside Australia, England and Wales.
The battle for Africa’s place in the World Cup took place in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, between Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia and Zimbabwe. A huge crowd was at the first round, which pitted former Rugby World Cup finalist Namibia against Kenya – a nation which have never been to the finals.
The game emphasised the evenness of the two sides as the scores climbed together. Namibia shot out of the blocks to lead 12-0, but then had a man sin-binned and Kenya scored two tries in this period to level at 12-all. After halftime, Kenya scored again, then Namibia scored and an exchange of penalties meant the scores were level at 19-all, and then 22-all.
With 16 minutes remaining, Kenya scored a converted try to make it 29-22, the final score.
In the other first round match, Zimbabwe, another Rugby World Cup finalist, faced the home team Madagascar. The game was played at a fast pace, both teams forgetting they had forwards and a flurry of backline moves seeing the players hurling themselves at each other.
Zimbabwe had it all in the first 20 minutes and scored three ties to lead 22-0. Then it was Madagascar’s turn and they scored two tries to be behind 22-15 at halftime. Each side scored a converted try after the break for Zimbabwe to lead 29-22.
The Sable’s experience then came to the fore as they took control and went in for another four tries. The final score to Zimbabwe of 57-22 and eight tries to three did not reflect how close the teams were. The Makis of Madagascar were not disgraced.
The next round will be played during the coming week.
Meanwhile, in North America, the final of the NACRA1 championship was held in Marietta. As defending champions and playing at home, it was expected that USA South would retain this division one title. When USA South took a 24-3 lead and then 24-8 lead at half time, this view seemed to be vindicated. But the visitors from Guyana had other ideas as the team lifted itself to claw back to 27-all at the final whistle.
Extra time of 10 minutes each way had to be played. Guyana was the only team to score in those periods and so lifted the trophy for the first time, with a 30-27 victory.
There were two games played in the lower NACRA 2 division. In Mexico City, Mexico smashed Turk and Caicos Islands to the tune of 96-0. How much longer will it be before Mexico is promoted to the top division?
The other game was played in Nassau, where the visitors, Jamaica, beat Bahamas 17-10. The finals are to be held later this month.
In Port Elizabeth, South Africa humbled an inept Scotland 55-6. The Boks dominated everywhere as they scored eight unanswered tries, while the Scots looked weary. There was not much to learn from this game.
As a side note, while returning home last week via Singapore, I picked up a local paper. In it was a photo of the German football team practising in Brazil during the FIFA World Cup. What was surprising was that they were using a rugby ball.
I was sent a video of this session and what they were doing seemed more like netball, throwing the ball forward and into mini football goals to score.
Still, there may be hope the Germans can yet turn to rugby.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.