HOUSTON, TX: The USA v Ireland was the match of the weekend for most fans of rugby living in the US. However leading up to that game globally there was some great rugby available early Saturday morning til the USA v Ireland and through til Sunday night. Let’s do like we always do and recap all the action for you.
USA v France: Lost in all the hoopla about the Men’s match with Ireland was the start of the Womens team’s 3 match series with France. The US lost a two match series 2-0 in France in November, this time it was the US’s turn to host. The US were rude host as they played great defense and were accurate enough with the boot to secure a narrow victory. Final Result:
USA 13 – 10 France
USA v Ireland: BBVA Compass Stadium holds 22,039 so it was a near full house of 20,000 fans that saw the USA v Ireland match. It was painful to come so close to a major upset and fall short. Maybe Cody Kuxman can weigh in on the mindset of the referee, because the rest of us had no idea what he was thinking during the game. The US could ahve improved on a few things including handling and attacking outwide but what was clear was, that it was not Ireland playing down to the competition, but rather a full strength US side is a very dangerous proposition. Final Result:
USA 12 – 15 Ireland
Lions v Reds: The Queensland Reds Super 15 team achieved its main goal and gave the British & Irish Lions, their toughest test of the tour, to date and maybe overall. The Reds, who were missing 8 first choice players, 7 called up to the Wallabies and 1 to injury were expected to lose. Injury played a factor for Lions as they lost a couple of players due to injury but still managed to show enough class. Final Result:
Queensland Reds 12 – 22 B & I Lions.
Pacific Nations Cup: Tonga lost to a team on 3 days rest because they got 1 red and two yellow cardss in a 25 min span of the game. The Tonga coach later commented that he felt there was a prejudice against his side based on the alleged physical reputation. From most neutral accounts it seems that he maybe crying wolf as the cards seemed well-deserved. Final Result:
Canada 36 – 27 Tonga
Summer Tours : In the South Africa 4 team mini-tournament, Samoa showed that their impressive form in November was no fluke as they took down a Scotland while host South Africa took roughed up Italy. Wales second string side did just enough against Japan. France began a 3 match series against New Zealand with a disappointing loss. Final Results:
New Zealand 23 – 13 France
South Africa 44 – 10 Italy
Scotland 17 – 27 Samoa
Argentina 3 – 32 England
Japan 18 – 22 Wales
Junior World Cup: The JWC is the yearly World Cup held for U-20 teams of the top tier rugby playing nations. The USA is in it this year after winning the Junior World Trophy, the second tier competition. The US played decently against tourney host, France, but the gulf in class was to big. Final results:
New Zealand 14 – 10 Australia
Ireland 46 – 3 Fiji
France 45 – 3 USA
Wales 26 – 21 Scotland
South Africa 31 – 24 England
Argentina 28 – 16 Samoa
Junior World Trophy: Italy defeated Canada in a thrilling final to win the JWT. Canada looked much better than last year in the tourney. Tonga and Japan look good for next year too despite host Chile upsetting Japan in a final rankings match. Final results:
Italy 45 – 23 Canada
Chile 38 – 35 Japan
Portugal 7 – 27 Tonga
Namibia 29 – 40 Uruguay
ASIA 5 Nations: The fight between the A5N tier 2 nations for promotion to tier 1 continues with Qatar leading the pack. Final results:
India 13 – 30 Iran
China 13 – 37 Indonesia
Qatar 13 – 7 Guam
Singapore 20 – 17 Malaysia
Nations Cup: A longstanding IRB Cup contest to help develop Tier 2 rugby and provide more matches. Final results:
Romania 30 – 20 Russia
Jaguars 6 – 26 Emerging Italy
ASIA 5 Nations: The IRB investment in Tier 2 rugby continues with this inaugural cup contest. Final results:
Georgia 15 – 20 Emerging Ireland
Uruguay 9 – 37 South Africa President’s XV
That is it for now, feel free to comment below, look for and “Like” our Facebook Rugby Wrap Up Page and follow us on Twitter @RugbyWrapUp, @JunoirBlaber, @Declan Yeats, @Mathew Drew Turner and @Ebstide52, respectively. And until the next time… stay low and keep pumping those legs.
