Scotland vs Samoa was quite a game, it must be said - 82 points and 11 tries in total! With Scotland scoring a try in the first 3-4 minutes, you could have been inclined to believe it was going to be a one-sided contest, which couldn't have been further from the truth.
End to end stuff with some huge hits going in - there'll certainly be some sore bodies this morning! It seemed every time Scotland appeared to get the upper hand (at least on the scoreboard), Samoa would hit back. Two outstanding players for me were the two Fly-halves Nanai-Williams and Finn Russell with a special mention (as per the norm) for Scottish Full-back Stuart Hogg.
I don't think the Scottish Defense Coach is going to be a happy bunny this morning, but that's not taking anything away from Samoa who'll be rueing a missed opportunity.
Wales vs Australia: - As a Welshman, obviously disappointed with the result, but there were a fair few positives that came out of an exciting game. Wales had selected a new look and fairly inexperienced team partly due to several injuries and partly looking forward towards the Rugby World Cup and tactical/playing options. Overall, the "newbies" played well and Owen Williams looks to be a good and valid option at Inside Center. Steff Evans on the Left Wing was also a positive, seemingly beating the first tackle every time - unfortunately not making the meters at this level as he has been doing all season for the Scarlets..... Also had the ball ripped from him by (the cheating b@rsteward) Kurtley Beale for his non-try (
).Key Points/Moments IMHO: -
Some very poor defense by Wales at times, highlighted by the ease at which Australia scored with the driving maul. Australia on the other hand had a great defense.
Poor games from two of the "senior players" - Gareth Davies who (as DM quite rightly says) had a 'mare of a game and was completely outplayed by "Man of the Match" Will Genia, and Taulupe Faletau who for once wasn't the stand-out player. Several handling errors proving costly and certainly a quiet day for him at the breakdown by his standards - a bad day at the office overall.
The final pass not going to hand for Wales on several occasions - trying too hard at times (for the miracle pass) I think, where it wasn't needed.
Australia's try in added time at the end of the first half seemed to be a bit of a killer blow, although Wales did come back in the second half.
That was until Beale's "non-try"
. I say "non-try" as he did lose control of the ball and knock on when he went to ground, before re-gathering and running half the length of the field to score under the posts. It was frustrating that it wasn't picked up by the officials, but at the end of the day (aside from the knock-on ) it was a moment of brilliance from Beale and many tries have been (and will be) given despite (missed) infringements. Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives and we just need to cut out the silly errors and be a little more patient in general game-play IMO.
England vs Argentina: - Very difficult to comment from the little I saw of the game, but judging by some of the comments I have heard/Read, it was a very patchy display by England in a very "forgettable" game. A noticeable exception apparently was Bath's Sam Underhill. I follow Bath Rugby closely and have to say Underhill has been very impressive at the breakdown and in contact - he's certainly pushing hard to make the No. 7 shirt his own.
Here's to the next round - although I don't think I'm going to get to see much in Iran (a pity as I was looking forward to England vs Australia)!!
Pete 
....... I only wish Wales could have replicated the ball handling skills yesterday against Australia!! 
Pete 
