|
 |
| Armitage: 'Best debut ever' [AFP] |
The Martin Johnson era got off to a winning and encouraging start as England beat the Pacific Islanders 39-13 at Twickenham in the first match of the former Rugby Union World Cup winning-captain's reign as manager.
Two tries for prolific wing Paul Sackey, further scores for flyhalf Danny Cipriani, debutant lock Nick Kennedy and hooker Lee Mears and a man-of-the-match performance by debutant fullback Delon Armitage were the highlights on Saturday.
Flutey on song
Johnson's new-look side produced plenty of bright moments with the three other debutants, Riki Flutey, Ugo Monye and Kennedy, all delivering confident performances and the halfback partnership of Danny Care and Danny Cipriani also sharp.
Seru Rabeni scored the only try for the Islanders.
The lineout, bossed by new captain Steve Borthwick, was faultless – although the pack struggled to impose themselves at the scrum and there were some problems at the breakdown.
"There are areas where we can be critical but it was a difficult day in difficult conditions against dangerous opposition and we got there in the end and saw five good debuts," Johnson told Sky Sports after Dylan Hartly joined the fray as a late replacement hooker.
"Delon played with real assurance. I don't think I've seen a better debut than that.
"We've got an exciting young team but it's inexperienced."
England face Australia next week before further Twickenham Tests against world champions South Africa and New Zealand.
Gatland angry
 |
| You cheetah: Bryan Habana tears down the wing [GALLO/GETTY] |
Wales coach Warren Gatland criticised his players for throwing away the chance of a rare victory over world champions South Africa.
The Six Nations champions lost 20-15, their third defeat by the Springboks this year, to extend their dismal overall record to one win in 23 matches despite a wealth of possession.
"It's a painful experience we went through because good teams handle pressure and they convert situations into points and we've got to learn from that," Gatland said.
"But I'm really proud of the performance and we know we're not too far away. I've had a real go at the players in the changing rooms and said that if we want to be where we think we can be, good teams nail big moments."
Hook sinks kicks
Wales trailed 20-3 before four penalties from flyhalf James Hook brought them back into a hard-fought contest at the Millennium Stadium.
South Africa scored the only two tries of the game through Adrian Jacobs and Jean de Villiers.
"Our scrum, lineout and kicking could have been better but when you get the opportunities, you've got to take it," Gatland said.
"We should be furious with that because we had a chance to beat the world champions and we let ourselves down. We've got to be more clinical."
Wales now face Canada next Friday while Peter de Villiers's side travel north to play Scotland in Edinburgh next Saturday.
"We saw the passion of the Welsh and they came out all guns blazing but that's what Test rugby is all about. It's tough but we can build on this," de Villiers said.
Cooper barrels over
Debutant Quade Cooper scored a late try to help an unimpressive Australia side to a face-saving 30-20 victory over Italy.
The twice world champions were tied 20-20 against the dogged Italians with eight minutes to go when substitute back Cooper danced through a muddle of players to put them in charge.
Wing Lachie Turner scored the Wallabies' only other try, with Matt Giteau notching up 17 points with the boot and captain Stirling Mortlock also getting on the scoreboard with a penalty.
Winger Mirco Bergamasco crossed the line for the Azzurri.
Flyhalf Andrea Marcato and his replacement Luciano Orquera kicked the rest of Italy's points.
"There a bit of a bitter taste because we came close," Italy flanker Mauro Bergamasco told La7 television.
 |
| Richard Brown wins a lineout for Australia [GALLO/GETTY] |
"We made mistakes. But we showed that we can go forward, that we can play good
rugby.
"We scored a beautiful first-phase try. It's the sort of thing great teams often do against us and that we have proved we are capable of when we play at 120 per cent."
Easy for NZ
New Zealand came through the first Test of their Grand Slam tour with a 32-6 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield despite fielding an experimental team containing several new caps.
Scotland's hopes of securing their first win over the All Blacks were shattered by a side that ran in four tries from Anthony Tuitavake, Piri Weepu, Richard Kahui and Anthony Boric.
The home side's best chances came from forward driving close to the line but despite New Zealand frequently collapsing the scrum referee Wayne Barnes took no decisive action.
New Zealand also scored with two penalties and two conversions by Stephen Donald and a conversion by Dan Carter, who came on as a substitute.
Scotland's points came from Chris Paterson's two penalty goals.
Kidney boys full of beans
Ireland beat Canada 55-0 to ensure new coach Declan Kidney began his tenure with a resounding victory.
The home team ran in five tries in the first half and three in the second, with veteran fly-half Ronan O'Gara delivering a flawless kicking performance that brought him 13 points in difficult, rainy conditions in Limerick.
Canada struggled in the wet and never looked like scoring.
Ireland gave a debut to Munster fullback Keith Earls and the speedy 21-year-old made an ideal start to his international career by bursting through for the opening try after two minutes.
Winger Robert Kearney crossed the line twice, while fellow winger Tommy Bowe and back row forward Jamie Heaslip scored tries that took Ireland to the break 38-0 in front.
Kidney had made seven changes by the 55th minute, taking off captain Brian O'Driscoll and O'Gara as he looked ahead to next week's more challenging match against New Zealand.
"We got 22 guys on the pitch to stake a claim (for next week)," Kidney said.
|