Shaun Goosen looks back at this past weekend's rugby results in what was a mixed bag for the Northern Hemisphere.
Ireland trump Boks in Aviva showdown
Ireland fronted up well to the Springboks’ physicality to come away with a 19-16 win at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday. The World No 1-ranked side were solid in defence and took their chances when they presented themselves, while the Boks were left to lament some missed kicks at goal and a lack of accuracy at crucial moments. The Irish totally stifled the Boks’ rolling maul while Damian Willemse had a day to forget at flyhalf, botching several chances; particularly off the boot.
Not for the first time this season, the world champs were unable to find a way to beat an opponent that could match them physically. It won’t get any easier for them when they take on the might of the French this weekend. Meanwhile, Ireland host Fiji.
Los Pumas pip England at Twickenham in busy weekend of international rugby
An inspired performance from Argentina lifted them to a 30-29 victory over England at Twickenham on Sunday. Edinburgh winger Emiliano Boffelli, a strong contender for World Rugby Player of the Year, contributed a mammoth 25-points as the South Americans claimed a first win over the Roses since 2009; a run that included 10-straight losses. It was also just the second time in history that Argentina have beaten the English at Twickenham.
While Eddie Jones was quick to blame the defeat on a series of “silly mistakes” from his charges and remained positive, the calls for his head have intensified again.
All Blacks outclass Wales in Cardiff
The All Blacks scored eight tries in all to beat Wales 55-23 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The Dragons were in it for much of the contest, and trailed by just 13-22 at the break, but the Kiwis scored four tries in the final quarter to totally take the game away from the hosts. Wayne Pivac’s charges face England slayers Argentina this weekend while New Zealand tackle Scotland at Murrayfield.
In other results, Scotland held off Fiji 28-12 in Edinburgh, France claimed a 30-29 win over a valiant Australia in Paris and Italy were too good for Samoa in Padua, winning 49-17.
