Springboks cruise but minnows find World Cup teeth
PARIS: South Africa hammered home its World Cup credentials on Sunday with a 59-7 win against Samoa but little Canada and Namibia showed determination not to be mauled by the sport's fatcats without a fight.
Canada gave Wales an almighty scare by taking a 17-9 lead, on the back of three tries, before running out of steam in a 42-17 defeat while Namibia only lost 32-17 to Six Nations Triple Crown winners Ireland.
Debutants Portugal proved awkward for Scotland before succumbing in a 56-10 loss.
They were timely reminders to the International Rugby Board (IRB), frustrated by a history of embarrassingly one-sided results in previous tournaments, who are considering reducing the teams at the 2011 World Cup from 20 to 16.
"The naysayers who talk of segregation in rugby can go stuff themselves," thundered Canada coach Rick Suggitt.
At the Parc des Princes, Springboks full-back Percy Montgomery made up for missing the 2003 World Cup through suspension by scoring two tries amongst his 29-point contribution.
Star winger Bryan Habana grabbed four tries with Jaque Fourie and JP Pietersen grabbing one apiece.
It was an impressive way to warm-up for Friday's crunch Pool A match against reigning champions England, who was unimpressive in a 28-10 victory over the United States on Satudfay.
Samoa's highlight in a physical encounter came with a first-half try from Gavin Williams and the appearance in a record fifth World Cup for Brian Lima, on as a replacement.
Sadly that lasted all of four minutes before he exited after a typical no-holds barred tackle.
"It was tough," said South Africa coach Jake White.
"It didn't go as we expected, it was a really physical performance from Samoa. At one stage, when it was 14-7, I was worried."
The only low point for the Springboks was a serious biceps injury to centre Jean De Villiers who could miss the rest of the tournament.
In Nantes, Wales trailed in its Pool B match against Canada after Jamie Cudmore, Craig Culpan and Morgan Williams all scored tries.
But the North Americans could not compete with the wealth of experience on the Welsh bench as British Lions Gareth Thomas and Stephen Jones turned the game after coming on as replacements.
Shane Williams scored twice with Sonny Parker, Alun-Wyn Jones and Colin Charvis adding Wales's other tries ahead of its testing encounter against Australia, who beat Japan 91-3 on Saturday, in Cardiff next weekend.
"We simply cannot start the same way against Australia otherwise the game will be over by half-time," said Williams. "There are still a lot of things we are immature about."
In St Etienne, Scotland ran in eight tries to join New Zealand at the top of Pool C.
The Scots scored three early converted tries and powered home late in the game to finish with eight converted tries.
Fullback Rory Lamont claimed a brace with Scott Lawson, Dan Parks, Rob Dewey, Hugo Southwell, Kelly Brown and Ross Ford also scoring.
Winger Pedro Carvalho had the honour of scoring Portugal's first World Cup try and then thought he had added a spectacular second on a 75m breakaway.
Ireland picked up a crucial Pool D bonus point after scoring five tries against Namibia to leapfrog Argentina at the top of a section which also includes France.
AFP
(China Daily 09/11/2007 page24)
