RWC – Round 3, the parting of the ways

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Here are the results of the Sunday matches:

Japan 29 Spain 21
New Zealand 40 Ireland 0
Italy 64 Brazil 3
France 57 South Africa 10

There was only one tight finish, the Sakura overcoming Las Leonas in a dramatic tussle. But even there the losers couldn’t get close enough to gain a bonus point.

For the rest, France and Italy took the chance to spread their wings. Les Bleues were back close to their scintillating best, led of course by Pauline Bourdon-Sansus, who seems able to read a game three phases ahead, rather like a chess master.

For once the great forward power of the Boks proved inadequate. It is a pity that they go on attempting to follow the style of Rassie Erasmus, even to the extent of sending on a host of forward replacements all at once, accompanied by supporters’ cries of ‘Bomb Squad!’

The higher they reach in their playing standards, the less effective this approach will prove. They have outstanding backs in their ranks, led by Nadine Roos at 9. They need to see much more of the ball.

They are the one surprise addition to the quarter-finalists, and the nation rejoices. When we think of the proud record of Springbok rugby, we may ask: what took them so long? The answer lies in the SARU’s abject neglect of them for so long.

In the second of the two dead rubbers the Azzurre too were able to play with full freedom. But As Yaras of Brazil scored for the third time in three (two penalties against South Africa and THAT try by Bianca Silva v France.

They may well be the team leaving England early with the fewest regrets. They have won friends everywhere, and with luck will have accelerated the progress of 15s rugby across the nation.

The results leave the quarter-finals looking like this:

Saturday 13 September
New Zealand v South Africa KO 13.00, Sandy Park
Canada v Australia KO 16.00, Ashton Gate

Sunday 14 September
France v Ireland KO 13.00, Sandy Park
England v Scotland KO 16.00, Ashton Gate