2007 Rugby World Cup: South Africa, Wales, Scotland and Ireland win
Sunday, September 9, 2007
In the pool stage of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, eight teams played their first matches of the tournament. Wales came from behind to defeat Canada after a first half scare. South Africa comfortably defeated Samoa, while Ireland beat Namibia and Scotland beat world cup debutants Portugal.
September 9, 2007 14:00 (UTC+2) | |||
Wales | 42 – 17 | Canada | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes Referee: Alain Rolland |
Try: S Parker 52' A W Jones 58' S Williams (2) 61', 63' C Charvis 68' Conv: S Jones (4) 53', 59', 64', 69' Pen: J Hook (3) 10', 15', 21' |
Try: J Cudmore 25' C Culpan 36' M Williams 45' Conv: J Pritchard 38' |
In Pool B, Wales took an early lead against Canada with three penalties from James Hook. However Wales struggled throughout the first half, and tries from Canadians Jamie Cudmore, Craig Culpan and Morgan Williams meant that Canada led 17-9 early in the second half.
Wales improved in the last half hour of the match. Tries from Alun Wyn Jones, Colin Charvis and a double from Shane Williams regained the lead for Wales.
September 9, 2007 16:00 (UTC+2) | |||
South Africa | 59 – 7 | Samoa | Parc des Princes, Paris Referee: Paul Honiss |
Try: B Habana (4) 33', 56', 65', 76' P Montgomery (2) 40', 53' J Fourie 47' J P Pietersen 80' Conv: P Montgomery (5) 40', 48', 56', 67', 80' Pen: P Montgomery (3) 3', 10', 15' |
Try: G Williams 18' Conv: G Williams 19' |
In a very physical encounter in Pool A, South Africa comfortably defeated Samoa. The South Africans led 9-0 after fifteen minutes with Percy Montgomery kicking three penalties. Samoa scored their only points of the match soon afterwards when Gavin Williams scored and converted a try.
South Africa led 21-7 at half time after tries from Bryan Habana and Percy Montgomery. They controlled the second half, and tries from Jaque Fourie, J P Pietersen, a second from Percy Montgomery and a second half hat-trick from Bryan Habana completed South Africa's victory.
September 9, 2007 18:00 (UTC+2) | |||
Scotland | 56 – 10 | Portugal | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne Referee: Steve Walsh |
Try: R Lamont (2) 12', 14' S Lawson 23' R Dewey 30' D Parks 57' H Southwell 60' K Brown 68' R Ford 76' Conv: D Parks (5) 13', 15', 24', 31', 58' C Paterson (3) 61', 69', 77' |
Try: P Carvalho 28' Conv: D Cardoso Pinto 29' Pen: D Cardoso Pinto 34' |
Portugal, making their first ever appearance in the world cup, faced Scotland in Pool C. Rory Lamont scored two quick tries for Scotland followed by a try from Scott Lawson to give Scotland a 21-0 lead. Pedro Carvalho scored Portugal's first world cup try, and Duarte Cardoso Pinto converted as well as scoring a penalty. However Scotland were too strong and Rob Dewey, Kelly Brown, Dan Parks, Hugo Southwell and Ross Ford all scored tries for Scotland. Dan Parks scored 15 points from his try and five conversions.
September 9, 2007 20:00 (UTC+2) | |||
Ireland | 32 – 17 | Namibia | Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux Referee: Joël Jutge |
Try: B O'Driscoll 4' A Trimble 19' S Easterby 30' penalty try 49' J Flannery 76' Conv: R O'Gara (2) 5', 49' Pen: R O'Gara 17' |
Try: J Nieuwenhuis 60' P van Zyl 64' Conv: E Wessels (2) 61', 65' Pen: E Wessels 40' |
Pool D saw Ireland take on Namibia. Despite a messy performance from Ireland, they led at half time thanks to tries from Brian O'Driscoll, Andrew Trimble and Simon Easterby. Early in the second half, Ireland were awarded a penalty try when two scrums collapsed, but Namibia responded with tries from Jacques Nieuwenhuis and Piet van Zyl. Towards the end of the match Jerry Flannery scored Ireland's fifth try to secure the win.
Related news
[edit]- "2007 Rugby World Cup: New Zealand, Australia and England open with wins" — Wikinews, September 8, 2007
- "2007 Rugby World Cup: Argentina shock France in tournament opener" — Wikinews, September 7, 2007
Sources
[edit]- "Wales 42-17 Canada" — BBC Sport, September 9, 2007
- "'Half a performance' by Wales over Canada" — Rugby World Cup, September 9, 2007
- "South Africa 59-7 Samoa" — BBC Sport, September 9, 2007
- "South Africa off to winning start" — Rugby World Cup, September 9, 2007
- "Scotland 56-10 Portugal" — BBC Sport, September 9, 2007
- "Scotland beat new boys Portugal" — Rugby World Cup, September 9, 2007
- "Ireland 32-17 Namibia" — BBC Sport, September 9, 2007
- "Namibia turn on style in fightback" — Rugby World Cup, September 9, 2007