Southern Hemisphere dominate again

With four matches today featuring Southern Hemisphere playing Northern hemisphere teams there were hopes that the Northern sides might improve on last weekends dire results. England were first to try playing New Zealand, but despite taking an early lead it soon went wrong and the Kiwis ran out far easier winners than the 37-20 scoreline would suggest. Possibly the only England player to look back with any form of enjoyment would be Topsy Ojo with two tries on his debut.

Ireland were next in line playing Australia and despite going behind on five minutes hit back to lead 7-5. After that it went away from them and they were 15-7 behind at half time and a further three points down two minutes into the second half. Despite Brian O'Driscoll scoring in the 62nd minute the Irish could get no closer and lost 18-12.

Wales were looking to improve on their dismal performance against South Africa last week and like England went ahead early on with a penalty. However by 17 minutes the Springboks had scored two converted tries to move 14-3 ahead, but Wales hit back immediately with a converted try and then went ahead with an outstanding Shane Williams try only for Butch James to give SA a one point lead at half time with a successful penalty attempt. After an exchange of penalties which left the score poised at 23-21 South Africa finally got their act together with a further two converted tries to run out 37-21 winners.

This left the honour of the Northern Hemisphere up to Scotland who had the added incentive of needing to win by 15 points to improve their world ranking and thus their group option for the next world cup and this against a side that they hadn't beaten since 1990.
Much to everyone's amazement the Scots went in 16-0 up at half time and were a further three points ahead after 12 minutes of the second half. However Argentina scored a converted try after 61 minutes to reduce the Scots lead to only twelve points. Amazingly with just 9 minutes left the Scots scored an interception try which was converted to restore the 19 point lead. It must have been mixed feelings for them at the end of the match when Argentina scored a last minute converted try to reduce the gap back to twelve points and therefore leave the Scots ranking as 10 in the world. It was however a famous victory.