Monday Morning Round Up
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‘Springboks lucky to escape with draw’ - Rassie Erasmus
Rassie Erasmus attributed the Springboks’ nail-biting 16-16 draw against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday evening to a heavy stroke of luck.
Replacement scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies scored the match-saving try on fulltime, which Handré Pollard converted, to tie the game at 16-16 after the All Blacks had managed to break the Springboks’ tight defensive grip in the second half. Full story
Steve Hansen has offered a positive update on Brodie Retallick
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen believes there is a "good possibility" Brodie Retallick will be fit for the Rugby World Cup despite the lock dislocating his shoulder on Saturday.
Retallick came off in the second half of New Zealand's 16-16 draw against South Africa in the Rugby Championship.
It sparked fears Retallick could miss the World Cup, which begins in Japan in September, but Hansen was more optimistic on Sunday. Read more
David Pocock closes in on Wallabies return
Wallabies openside flanker David Pocock will push his case for a return to the Wallabies jersey in a fortnight when they face off against the All Blacks.
The world-class looseforward has been sidelined by a calf injury since March but ran strong on Friday and is a chance of returning for the August 10 clash with the All Blacks according to Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika. Read more
Clinical Japan stun Fiji in Kamaishi
Fiji’s hopes to retain their Pacific Nations Cup title were dealt a potentially fatal blow as they were well beaten by a clinical Japan side by 34-21 in Kamaishi. The newly-constructed Unosumai Stadium proved a wonderful venue with a passionate crowd treated to an entertaining match in a preview of the upcoming World Cup. Full match report
Samoa defeat Tonga in muddy Apia
Samoa recovered from a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Tonga 25-17 in the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup. It was played in deplorable conditions at Apia Park, with standing water and repeat set pieces reducing the field to a bowl of mud and severely limiting attacking rugby.
Kicking for field position dominated the first half and led to the opening try just ten minutes in. Ahsee Tuala couldn’t handle Sami Fisilau’s kick ahead, and the loose ball was hacked ahead by Cooper Vuna. It would come to a rest in-goal with the former Bath winger winning the race for the touchdown. Full match report
Currie Cup log
Freestate Cheetahs - Played 2, Won 2, Draw 0, Lost 0, PD +70, PTS 10
Griquas - P3, W2, D0, L1, PD -22, PTS 10
Golden Lions - P2, W2, D0, L0, PD +3, PTS 9
Western Province - P3, W1, D0, L2, PD +8, PTS 7
Natal Sharks - P2, W1, D0, L1, PD -19, PTS 5
Blue Bulls - P3, W1, D0, L2, PD -23, PTS 5
Pumas - P3, W0, D0, L3, PD -17, PTS 3
Upcoming PNC matches
Saturday 3
USA vs Samoa
Fiji vs Canada
Tonga vs Japan
Friday 9
Tonga vs Canada
Saturday 10
USA vs Japan
Fiji vs Samoa
Rugby Championship results
New Zealand 16 - 16 South Africa
Australia 16 - 10 Argentina
TRY OF THE WEEK | 2019 Rugby Championship Rd 2
Rugby Championship Team of Round Two
Round two of the Rugby Championship saw the Springboks score a late try to draw with the All Blacks while the Wallabies' pack powered through Argentina to claim a 16-10 victory in a dull affair.
Find our team of the week from the second round of the Championship here
Will Genia became the 23rd Wallaby to register 50 Test wins on the weekend
Will Genia became the 23rd Wallaby to register 50 Test wins on the weekend and joining a star-studded list.
Top 5 to register 50 Test wins
1. George Gregan (139 games, 93 wins)
2. Stephen Moore (129 games, 73 wins)
3. Nathan Sharpe (116 games, 70 wins)
4. Stephen Larkham (102 games, 68 wins)
5. David Campese (101 games, 67 wins)
Will Genia slides in at 23 on the list after 102 games.
