Reflections on RWC23 Week 2
Fourteen games were played between Saturday, September 16 and the 24th, confirming some teams’ progress toward the quarter-finals and dashing the hopes of others.
Four teams have a perfect 3-win record so far: hosts France; Ireland (following a key win against South Africa); Wales; and England.
New Zealand and South Africa each have a loss but are expected to make the quarters.
Teams who are flirting with disaster but may still pull the cat out of the bag include Australia (1W - 2L); Scotland (1 - 1); and Argentina (1-1).
Teams who are in the hunt but need some luck from pool team results PLUS good performances include: Italy (2 - 0); Fiji (1 - 1); and Samoa (1 - 1).
Biggest surprises of the period came from the severe injury to France #9 Antoine Dupont, who sustained a facial fracture in the win over Namibia, and Australia’s miserable World Cup thus far.
Latest results:
Pool A: Italy 38 - Uruguay 17; France 96 - Namibia 0;
Pool B: Ireland 59 - Tonga 16; South Africa 76 - Romania 0; South Africa 8 - Ireland 13; Scotland 45 - Tonga 17
Pool C: Wales 28 - Portugal 8; Australia 15 - Fiji 22; Georgia 18 - Portugal 18; Wales 40 - Australia 6
Pool D: Samoa 43 - Chile 10; England 34 - Japan 12; England 71 - Chile 0: