Who’s hot and who’s not!

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It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons over the past week.

THEY’RE ON FIRE!

Australia v Wales: It was an outstanding game in Tokyo on Sunday as Australia and Wales fought tooth and nail to claim a victory that would all but secure them top spot in Pool D. It was a game of two halves as Wales raced out the blocks before the Wallabies somehow clawed themselves back into the contest in the second period. As we stated in our five takeaways, it was a great advert for the game and followed up the below very nicely indeed.

Japan: Yes, this was pretty special also as the Brave Blossoms shocked Ireland in a triumph that has given the tournament a huge shot in the arm in the host nation. What made this victory all the more impressive was that Japan fully deserved it. There was no luck involved as the Irish simply could not live with their opponent’s style in the 80 minutes. Michael Leitch came on and guided Japan to glory as they give their knockout hopes a boost.

Uruguay: An unbelievable performance as Rugby World Cup 2019 had its first shock on Wednesday as the South Americans stunned Fiji. They won 30-27 and, while Felipe Berchesi and Juan Manuel Cat stood out, credit must be paid to the entire squad as they made it a memorable day for everyone associated with the side. While they could not back the win up against Georgia, to do so just four days after exerting so much energy both physically and emotionally was never really on the cards. However, take nothing away from a remarkable week for the side.

Jake Polledri: The Azzurri on the whole impressed us a great deal on Thursday and suddenly Pool B is not quite so straightforward in terms of the second qualification place. If Italy can replicate this showing against South Africa at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa this Friday then we’ll have quite a game on show. While Polledri didn’t cross the whitewash in their 48-7 win over Canada, he was outstanding with ball in hand and combined brilliantly with try-scoring back-row colleagues Braam Steyn and Sebastian Negri as the Italians made it 10 points out of 10.

Julian Montoya: The hooker enjoyed a rare start for Argentina and made full use of his chance as he crossed for a hat-trick in his side’s 28-12 victory over Tonga in Higashiosaka on Saturday. What made the his achievement so remarkable is that all his tries were scored in the first half and it means he becomes the first hooker to score a hat-trick at a Rugby World Cup since 1999, with Ireland legend Keith Wood – who actually grabbed four tries in a game – being the last number two to achieve that feat in a one-sided victory over the USA at that tournament.

COLD AS ICE!

Ireland: They actually played really well in the opening quarter and deservedly went 12-3 up, but lost their way after that. A lot of that was down to Japan’s brilliance, as they managed the game wonderfully for the final hour, but you have to question the Irish tactics. In the first quarter, they were creative and smart, regularly opening up the opposition rearguard, but they then became a bit too predictable. With the pressure on, they started to overplay, which created mistakes and that was perfect for Japan, before Ireland went to their power game late on. That was where they began to make some yards but Japan defended very well and, by that point, it was too late.

Fiji: There was plenty of optimism in their ranks ahead of the World Cup, as they impressed in the build-up to the global event, but they simply haven’t delivered the goods in Japan. Despite a fine start in their tournament opener against the Wallabies, they went off the boil during the latter stages of that game and eventually suffered a 39-21 defeat. A better performance was expected in their next match against Uruguay but Fiji seemed to underestimate their opposition and came off second best again in a 30-27 loss. They’ll be hoping for a much-improved display when they take on Georgia in Higashiosaka on Thursday as their disappointing start to the pool has already led to calls for John McKee to step down. Two losses from two makes for sorry reading.

The non-call on Tomas Lavanini: We don’t want to talk about it but unfortunately it has to be said. Following the card that wasn’t forthcoming for England’s Piers Francis against the USA and the incident which took Peceli Yato out of Fiji’s opening game against Australia, there was another controversial moment, this time when Tonga faced Argentina. The Pacific Islanders had been outplayed in the opening half-hour but hit back through Telusa Veainu and then created space out wide for David Halaifonua to charge down the left. He looked set to score, only for Lavanini to come across and take the wing into touch. Referee Jaco Peyper deemed that the second-row wrapped his arms, but to us it looked like a clear shoulder charge. The right arm did move across the Tongan’s stomach but only after the lock had led with his left shoulder. A penalty try and yellow card should have been awarded and, with the score 28-14 at the break, who knows what would have happened in the second period.

John Quill: One on-field decision which wasn’t controversial was the red card issued to the USA flank following an awful shoulder charge on Owen Farrell. It was needless, particularly when the England playmaker had just knocked on close to his own line. Quill had time to pull out but still went through with it, which suggests that it was more than just ‘reckless’ – as it was put in the judgement. The only thing you could query was the three-week ban, given that it appeared to be worse than Reece Hodge’s, yet both received the same punishment.

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