The second round of matches at the 2011 Rugby World Cup gave us some improved performances from some of the bigger teams, a couple of interesting encounters between the tier two nations and a shock for a pre tournament favourite.
During the week, the teams who had not played over the weekend finally got their tournament underway. Samoa ran in five tries, three from Leicester’s Alesana Tuilagi, to beat the lowest ranked team at the tournament Namibia. Scotland put in their second unconvincing performance against a tier two opponent narrowly beating Georgia 15-6 without scoring a try, Canada put in a huge effort to beat Tonga and the USA renewed cold war rivalries beating Russia.
New Zealand recorded a convincing win over Japan on Friday night in from of a packed Hamilton crowd. The All Blacks ran in 13 tries, 9 of which were converted by back up fly half Colin Slade, with 11 different men crossing the whitewash. Japan can look at this as an improvement as the ’95 All Blacks beat them 145-17 in South Africa but they were unable to cope with the pace, power and precision of the New Zealand backs.
Argentina put their defeat to England behind them and recorded their first win in convincing style with a six try 43-8 victory over Romania. The Romanian’s had run Scotland close in their opening game and Argentina will still hope to qualify for the knockout stages in what should be a winner takes all game against the Scots in Wellington on Sunday. Argentina got back to basics with an impressive forward display and tries from fly half Santiago Fernandez further tries from Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Juan Figallo and Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino had the bonus point wrapped up inside half an hour.
South Africa made it two wins from two with a all together more inspiring performance than the one that saw them squeeze past Wales. The Springbok had too much power for Fiji who tried valiantly but never came close to worrying the defending champions, who finally kicked into gear an impressive backline assisted by a sparkling performance by François Steyn who moved from full back to inside centre. 
Never has a game without a try been so captivating. When Ireland held Australia to a 6-6 half-time score line everyone assumed the Wallabies would get things together and turn on the flair in the second period. Ireland had other plans and a massive forward effort strangled the creativity of Australia and Ronan O’Gara came off the bench to kick two penalties to seal victory. It just goes to show that for all the talent of the Australian backline if they are deprived of ball then they are ineffective, half backs Will Genia and Quade Cooper never got the quick ball they thrived on due to a combination of poor performances at the set piece and a tenacity from Ireland that has been missing this year. Australia were without David Pocock and Steven Moore and their tight five couldn’t handle the Irish scrum, especially Cian Healy, and the back row was nullified. Ireland have shown just how to beat the Wallabies, the question is can Australia adapt.
Wales didn’t exactly set the rugby world alight with a 17-10 victory over a Samoa side coming off just four days off rest but they did leave with a win. Shane Williams scored Wales only try to see his side home after Wales had trailed 10-6 at the break and another shock was on the cards. The game was a scrappy affair with handling errors and penalties spoiling any flow that the sides could muster, but Wales will breathe a sigh of relief as this is the first time they have beaten Samoa at the World Cup as the Islanders had beaten them in Cardiff at both the 1991 and 1999 tournaments. Wales are still on course for second in the group and a quarter final show down with Ireland. 
Normally a six try bonus point victory would be meet with scenes of joy and talk of championships but England management and players were far from satisfied. England can thank superior fitness and some well taken tries for victory as the Georgian’s were equal if not better than England in the tight during the first half and caused all sorts of trouble. Fresh off his match winning return against Argentina Ben Youngs was poor and Toby Flood, who fared better, only showed glimpses of his true ability. They will be happy that it was six tries from the backs with Shontayne Hape recording his frist two international scores and Chris Ashton getting back on the score sheet but improvements must be made and Johnson must decide on hi starting XV soon.
Vincent Clerc’s hat trick was enough for France to overcome Canada but they again left it late and failed to dominate an inferior opponent. France certainly have the talent all around the park and a spirited Canada side would have been a tough challenge early on for any team but things just aren’t clicking for Les Blues. In truth the weather didn’t help and France grew in confidence as the game progressed but this isn’t the kind of form they would have wanted to take into next week’s encounter with New Zealand.
Italy kept alive their slim hopes of qualification to the knock out stages with a nine try bonus point victory over Russia. Sergio Parisse, Giulio Toniolatti (2), Tommaso Benvenuti (2), Edoardo Gori, Luke McLean and Alessandro Zanni all touched down with the referee also awarded a penalty try. Italy dominated from the get go but will have to rely on another Australia slip up or an unlikely victory in their final pool game against Ireland if they are to progress.
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