South Africa have got the defence of their title off to an impressive start with a second-half surge allowing them to overpower a toothless Scotland 18-3 and move into a strong position in the World Cup’s “group of death”.
Two tries in three second-half minutes from flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and wing Kurt-Lee Arendse pulled the Springboks clear in Sunday’s (Monday AEST) clash and Scotland were unable to find a way back into the contest, barely threatening the South African tryline all game.
The game featured a bigtalking point with Springbok Jesse Kriel escaping any sanction when his head clashed with the head of ball carrying Jack Dempsey in the opening minutes. It came after Tom Curry of England was red carded for a similar, and a yellow card was dished out in the Japan vs Chile game.
The three similar clashes – leading to three different results – has fans up in arms over the inconsistencies at play. Referee and TMO intrepretations were always going to be the elephant in the room and it didn’t take long for it to become an issue.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has been asked directly about the Jesse Kriel tackle on Jack Dempsey which went unpunished.
“I saw it about two screens away,” he said. “It looked like a head-on-head collision and I was expecting the TMO to come in.
“Who knows? [If it would have changed the game]. A red card last night didn’t change the match too much in terms of Argentina.
“We had a promising attacking position outside the 22 and the TMO came in for a body check [by Finn Russell]. I didn’t know how that ended up being a penalty. So yes there are still inconsistencies. when there has been a head contact.
“We’re frustrated at that but we’re more frustrated at our own performance.”
Scotland now face a difficult road to qualify from Pool B for the quarter-finals and will likely have to beat Ireland when the teams meet in their final group game in Paris on October 7 to stand a chance.
Scotland, with former Wallaby Dempsey and another Australian Sione Tuipolotu in their ranks, matched South Africa’s power in the opening 40 minutes and trailed 6-3 at the break, still in the contest without creating many scoring opportunities.
Once the Boks’ powerful forwards came off the bench in the second period, there was another shift in momentum and they were able to comfortably keep the Scots at bay.
That being said, the best chance of the first half fell to the northern hemisphere side as wing Darcy Graham created a three-on-one opportunity but held onto the ball when he needed to release a teammate to canter over the Bok line.
South Africa lost lock Eben Etzebeth after 26 minutes, replaced by RG Snyman, and that changed the dynamic of a scrum battle they had been winning to that point.
Scotland forced a penalty from the set-piece in their own 22, and then shortly afterwards another in range for Finn Russell to secure three points and halve the deficit on the stroke of halftime.
South Africa came out with renewed intensity in the second period, smashing their opponents backwards at the scrum to earn a penalty that put them in Scotland’s 22.
From there they moved the ball through phases, gaining a few metres at a time, before Du Toit crashed over from close range.
One try became two three minutes later as Libbok spotted Arendse in acres of space on the right wing and his cross-kick was perfect for the diminutive back to score in the corner.
It was poor defending and a sucker-punch for the Scots.
“I think it could have been a slippery one. Scotland are a good side; they are not number five in the world for nothing,” said Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber.
“They pushed things a long way in the game. I thought we had a little bit of dominance in the first-half but we had to grind the win out.
“Rugby is not a very complicated sport. If you get a good platform from your forwards, they can create momentum that can create some space, and then you have some backs who can make some magic.
“We could not build scoreboard pressure so we need to have a look at that and make sure we turn up with the right mentality against Romania.”
South Africa play their second pool game against Romania in Bordeaux next Sunday (Monday AEST), while Scotland have to wait two weeks before they take on Tonga in Nice on September 24.
Earlier, Japan had to withstand a ferocious physical challenge from debutants Chile in their bonus-point 42-12 Rugby World Cup win in Toulouse as coach Jamie Joseph saluted their courageous opponents for tackling “like demons” in the searing heat.
Japan scored six tries in what looks a comfortable win on the scoreboard but was anything but in reality for the 2019 World Cup quarter-finalists on Sunday against a fired-up, emotional South American side, many of who were in tears at the anthems.
“Chile came with a really spirited performance, really hearty, tackled like demons, turned our ball over, really put us under pressure. We had to deal with that without losing confidence,” Joseph said.
“The support for their team was amazing. They cheered for everything, as the Japanese do, so you really feel they had a whole bunch of people behind them.”
Japan captain Yutaka Nagare conceded they struggled with the physicality of the newcomers at times.
“We struggled a little bit physically, but we executed our game plan, which was great for us,” he said.
After opening the scoring through an early try from Rodrigo Fernandez, Chile, the lowest-ranked team at this World Cup, added another from Alfonso Escobar with Santiago Vila slotting over the conversion.
But Japan made the most of Chile’s two yellow cards to prevail with a brace by Amato Fakatava and other tries from Jone Naikabula, Michael Leitch, Ryoto Nakamura and Warner Dearns, all six being converted by Rikiya Matsuda.
A rousing rendition of the Chilean national anthem was followed by a spirited start from the first World Cup debutants since Russia in 2011, and then a dream try in the sixth minute, manufactured with Latin flair and finished off with a dollop of good fortune.
Fullback Inaki Ayarza broke through two tackles to set up the opportunity, but captain Martin Sigren looked to have spoilt it when the ball was knocked out of his hand in the tackle.
But it went backwards and quick-thinking five-eighth Fernandez pounced on the loose ball, dribbling it forward and then diving on it to dot down.
Chilean euphoria lasted less than 120 seconds as they dropped the ball from the kick-off, allowing Japan to score as lock Fakatava showed a fleetness of foot to burst through and sprint away from the defenders for a quick reply.
Basic errors betrayed Chile’s naivety and a late tackle from Matias Dittus on fellow prop Koo Ji-won meant a 10-minute spell in the sin bin, during which time Japan went in the lead on the half-hour mark as winger Naikabula stretched over for their second try.
Sigren was also binned after head contact in a tackle on Kotaro Matsushima and with the numerical advantage Japan were able to maul over on the stroke of halftime as Fakatava claimed his second try and stretched the lead to 21-7.
But the rookies continued to resist as Escobar burst over for a 48th minute try to fire up the crowd and cut Japan’s lead to nine points.
That was as good as it got for the gutsy Chileans, with Leitch scoring Japan’s fourth try in the 53rd minute, centre Nakamura the next 10 minutes from time and 21-year-old Dearns used all of his two-metre frame to stretch over and score at the end of the game.
scrum
Roar Rookie
WR has issued a statement- its on a NZ website “ Stuff” There is an explanation of the decisions. The framework was followed
scrum
Roar Rookie
Well the difference between your opinion and mine is if you choose to come into the tackle upright when there is time to adjust your height it is not an accident, the head clash occurs because you have made a deliberate decision to remain upright. And these are the tackles red carded. The Match Officials have an obligation to make these decisions. As you know they have changed the process allowing for the decisions to be made by the TMO while the game proceeds. As for litigation Rugby is already being sued in England by ex players and the NFL has paid out huge sums in compensation. There can be no putting your head in the sand pretending this is not an issue, the game must take measures to reduce head contact. Teams also play short when players are carded for other offences. Even League which did not card anyone for 10 years have adopted Rugbys approach here. And teams can win playing short as England did . Several years ago the Wallabies defeated Wales with only 13 on the field. And “ malicious intent” how do you judge that in a tackle. Lawyers would have a field day at Judiciary absolving players of suspension.
Bobby D
Roar Rookie
Scrum, your passion for the game is commendable. There will always be the die-hards who like to dress up in their countries colours and be satisfied with what's dished up to them. 20 minutes of football in a 85 minute period is not my idea of enjoyment. All I'm saying is that the entertainment value has been severely reduced over the last couple of years through, for whatever reason, the overzealousness of officialdom. The whole process of match officials watching a big screen for minutes, and often in slow motion, and then the following TMO involvement has been embarrassing. Pending decisions become like lotteries. Litigation is always possible whether head injuries are reduced or not but of course, the less the better in any form of competition. Poor tackling technique without malicious intent generally should not lead to dismissal IMO. The best defender in the world won't always get it right. Why leave teams playing short when accidents happen? Almost every game I notice post-match teams are playing short. That in itself is not healthy. Keep 15 on against 15 and may the best team win.
Bobby D
Roar Rookie
Of course it should.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Rugby will be played in those dig blow up balls the players will climb into. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
scrum
Roar Rookie
Never said that at all. Head contact will not be eliminated, this is all about reducing the number of incidents. Your argument is like saying we should not have road rules because there are still injuries and deaths. Road rules and fines are there to change drivers behaviour and reduce bad outcomes. This is the same principle, head contact will not be eliminated but the aim is to reduce the number.
scrum
Roar Rookie
For a starter every RWC match is pretty much sold out so that puts you and your friends in the minority. I seem to keep repeating myself, most of the cards are when the tackler does not drop height. There is mitigation if there is a late drop in height or change in direction by the ball carrier. Why do tacklers come in high- to stop offloads and to slow down the recycling of the ball, in other words to slow down the game. Lower tackle height increase the ability to off load thus speeding up the game and making a more enjoyable contest. With the efficiency of the defence in the modern game off loading in contact is a great counter. WR has no option but to bring in measures to reduce head contact or they will be litigated against and will be defenceless if they cannot demonstrate they have introduced measures to reduce brain injuries. And I know the tackler also gets head injuries- some from head to head and some from lower body contact to the tacklers head. A lot of the latter is caused by poor head placement and technique. To my horror I heard that players are being coached to put their head in front of the ball carrier when tackling low because that is more effective. If that is true coaches need to be totally ashamed of themselves. And I repeat the contact is not “ accidental “ if the tackler chooses to stay upright when he has time to adjust, that contact is a result of the tacklers decision to stay upright.
Bobby D
Roar Rookie
Concur with you Jacko but fighting a losing battle with Scrum. He seems to think that one day, when we change every players style and behaviour, we will have games whereby no one gets hit in the head, no accidental head-knocks occur and no cards are issued for other than cynical fouls. Good luck with that.
Bobby D
Roar Rookie
Scrum, I respect your opinion but cannot agree with you. How do you want this game to progress? There is controversy every match in this WC, mainly about accidental head-knocks, not thuggery or realistic foul play. Do you want all up-right tacklers sent from the field if a head collision occurs? You seem to think it's simple to lower yourself before every tackle. It's not. It's often unsafe to the tackler to do so. Often, the tackler cannot control the height of the attacker coming at him. It can change in an instant. Keep the players ON the field when accidents happen. Dismissal is a radical action which causes all this ridiculous commentary. Authorities have blind-folds on if they think that R/C's are the answer. Paranoia has set in I'm afraid and I think I know where this game is heading. I cannot watch it anymore, neither can most of my friends - and that's a shame
scrum
Roar Rookie
Well you said they were turning it into a game of touch
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yeah I know they are ruining the game, making stuff up now scrum.
scrum
Roar Rookie
No but players who come in upright rather than dropping their tackle height increase the possibility of head contact.. And Jacko dropping the tackle height would favour the ABs. The reason players tackle high is to reduce the possibility of off loads and to slow down recycling of the ball. More offloads and quick ruck speed would speed up the game and favour those teams like the ABs who like to play at pace and disadvantage those teams like the Bok who prefer to slow the ball.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
All good scrum you enjoy players being sent off for standing upright.
scrum
Roar Rookie
Fortunately those running the game have a difference approach to you. Yeah I know they are ruining the game, that’s probably why every RWC match is pretty much sold out.
scrum
Roar Rookie
Try a logical argument Jacko instead of taking the p#$$
scrum
Roar Rookie
That is a ridiculous take on my statement. It’s about tacklers dropping their height when tackling. The fact that this is achieved in the vast majority of tackles disproves your rather ludicrous post.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Perhaps you were too busy running with your head down at your chest level to actually see how others played Scrum. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Because that is what ball carriers have done forever. As has the tackler Scrum. I think you are deliberately being obtuse. You want to start quoting how injuries occur you might start with the fact most injuries occur to the tackler. What if the poor runner gets tackled and his head hits the ground? Ban tackling? Lets play 15 a side touch footy and see how long that sport lasts eh.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Spot on Bobby, Looks like international touch 15s rugby coming up.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Well thats just silly. So a rugby player cant run upright on the field anymore just in case a ball runner runs in to him and contacts his head. There is going to be a lot of very silly looking rugby players all running with their heads up their dates just in case. Just ban tackling. 100% disagree. Lucky we can do that Scrum.