It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the weekend.
THEY’RE ON FIRE!
Lions finally click: That was much better from the British and Irish Lions as they eased past an AUNZ Invitational XV 48-0 in Adelaide on Saturday. While the opposition was hugely disappointing, there were significant improvements from the Lions as they enter their series with the Wallabies with a spring in their step.
Wales end long drought: At long last, Wales break their duck. It had been 18 straight Test defeats for the once powerhouses of the game, but finally they have ended that dire run thanks to a 31-22 victory over Japan. Matt Sherratt’s team fully deserved this win and the relief was plain to see at full-time. What a feeling.
Series joy for England: Speaking of joyous scenes and England celebrated a 2-0 series win over Argentina on the road on Saturday after claiming the second Test 22-17 thanks to a Jack van Poortvliet try. Led by the superb George Ford, this fringe England side has shown Steve Borthwick they are ready for more caps.
Springboks innovations: These innovations are a bit like marmite in terms of how they have been received. Some believe it is against the spirit of the game and they have a point, but sometimes you have to take your hat off to Rassie Erasmus as he once again found a way to play to his team’s strengths. The scrum kick-off move probably should have been penalised but the line-outs in open play was a bold and almost comical option that paid off. He seems to come up with something new every week.
All Blacks bounce back: After a lacklustre narrow victory over a weakened France side in their series opener in Dunedin, this was much more like it from New Zealand as they eased to a 43-17 triumph in Wellington. They scored some stunning tries along the way and will now be eager for a similar result to make it 3-0.
Fiji defeat Scotland: Suva celebrated a memorable 29-14 victory for Fiji over the Scots on Saturday. Despite trailing early on, a quick-fire try double before the break moved the islanders in front. Scotland would reply early in the second period before Jiuta Wainiqolo’s solo score and a penalty try saw them come out on top.
The six Lions call-ups: While it is never an ideal situation that injuries result in a call-up, it still should not take away from what a special moment it is for the player coming in and those close to them. Jamie Osborne, Jamie George and Thomas Clarkson were the first to be added this past week before Darcy Graham, Rory Sutherland and Ewan Ashman were called in with one eye on next Tuesday’s fixtures with the First Nations & Pasifika XV. Congratulations to all six players for getting the Lions nod.
Willie le Roux feat: Erasmus had always intended to do his best to take the Springboks full-back into triple figures on the cap front and he stayed true to his word as Le Roux reached 99 and then 100 games against Italy in their recent Tests. What an achievement for the two-time Rugby World Cup winner as he joins a special group of players to hit a century of caps for South Africa. Le Roux will be 36 next month so it remains to be seen whether more outings are coming but what a career he has had.
COLD AS ICE!
Portugal v Ireland: It’s difficult to see what either team got out of that 106-7 result in Lisbon. Portugal’s side was made up of several semi-professional players as well as some from Pro D2 and were outclassed by a star-studded Ireland team, even with their Lions in Australia. In terms of the scoreline, a new mark was set for the biggest win and points scored in Ireland’s history, beating the 83-3 set in 2000 versus the USA. The 16-try total and 12 conversions also topped previous records from the side.
AUNZ Invitational XV: In a similar vein, there was also disappointment with this match in Adelaide as the British & Irish Lions cruised to a 48-0 victory on Saturday. Described as being “less useful than a Barbarians romp in Easter” by Eddie Jones in his Planet Rugby column, the invitational side looked very much a team that was short on preparation against a Lions outfit that is starting to click. Jones suggested a clash with Australia A would have served the touring team and also the rugby public better.
Eddie Jones believes Lions ‘immeasurably fitter’ than Wallabies who must ‘go big’ in series opener
Jasper Wiese blunder What was he thinking? The Springboks number eight was rightly shown a red card by referee Andrew Brace after just 21 minutes of play in Gqeberha, this after he headbutted Italy prop Danilo Fischetti. Wiese can have no complaints and fortunately for him the ruthless Boks still won at a canter.
France drop-off: That was a significant drop-off in terms of performance from Les Bleus as they fell to a 26-point defeat to the All Blacks, this after impressing in their narrow 31-27 loss in Dunedin. The defeat further shines a light on their understrength squad they sent to New Zealand for this tour and it has since emerged that they didn’t stay on the pitch during the trophy presentation. That has irked some ex-All Blacks who insist they would always remain on the field to applaud a series winner.
Noah Lolesio injury blow: So often the focus is on Lions injuries and the heartbreak for players after missing out on such a special series. However, it’s also cruel for any Wallaby, All Black or Springbok who is denied the chance to face the famous touring side. Lolesio is one such player after the fly-half underwent surgery on his neck after suffering a whiplash injury against Fiji last month. What a shame for the number 10 and the Wallabies too as coach Joe Schmidt has lost his first choice playmaker.