The long awaited World Cup has finally started. The wait has finally come to an end for all rugby fans who will have the opportunity to enjoy extremely interesting matches that will write the history of rugby during almost two months.
France proved to be a superb host. During two months, numerous fans will have the opportunity to visit and enjoy the host cities, both for the tournament and the World Cup itself. Apart from going to the matches themselves, there are so many accompanying rugby events that you won’t be able to catch a break. When you add all the tourist attractions that France has to offer, even 20 days will not be enough. That’s why people often travel with a camper and live rugby for two or three months.
Spectacular opening of the World Cup
The World Rugby Federation, together with the French Federation, made quite an effort to create a very interesting and meaningful opening ceremony where you could see numerous interesting facts about France. Anyway, take a look for yourself.
Intonation of hymns and children's choirs
We understand the need to do something new and interesting. However, in rugby, special attention is always paid to chanting anthems that create emotional charges before the start of the game. To be honest, we couldn’t recognize some anthems, and it was especially interesting to see the expressions on the faces of the players while they listened to the children’s choirs. We have nothing against children’s choirs, but we hope that we will not see them singing hymns again.
France won big derby in opener
The derby match opened the World Cup. It could happen very easily that we will see the duel between France and New Zealand again in the final. The match was not of high quality, many mistakes were seen on both sides. But a huge struggle was also seen. New Zealand got off to a great start where they are in 2nd minute Beauden Barrett with precise kick found Mark Teleo who scored try. The French managed to secure a 9-8 advantage at halftime with three penalties.
The second part of the match started similarly to the first. The ball came to Telea who scored a try to give the New Zealanders a 13-8 lead. Then in 53rd minute saw the move of the game when Richie Mo’unga started on Damian Penaud and saved a try on the tryline. However, it was not enough to stop the French, who scored a new goal through Penauld. Ramos was fantastic in the kicks as he eventually successfully scored a penalty and a conversion. The essay by Jamine was seen until the end, which put an end to the game.
It is interesting that this is New Zealand’s first defeat in the group stage ever. The incredible streak has ended. However, this is not the most worrying thing about the All Blacks’ game, but the great inertness and slow patterns. We didn’t get a chance to see their signature game in transition, fast tempo and good flow of the ball. However, it is only the beginning of the World Cup, so there is plenty of time to adjust all the team’s lines before the decisive games.
Italy routinely against a very good Namibia
Anything but a convincing victory for the Italians would be a real sensation. Those who watched the match had the opportunity to see a very focused and balanced game by Namibia, especially in the first part of the match, where they managed to keep the nervous Italians at 17-8. They even scared Azzuri so much at the beginning that they first scored from a penalty through Tomaso Allen. The Italians made a lot of mistakes and entered the match very tense.
However, after winning the fourth essay and winning the bonus point, the Italians relaxed a little more and started to play as they know and how they can. In the second part of the match, they were a much better rival and eventually won 52-8.
Group A table after the first round:
| Поз (Pos) | Екипа (Team) | У(GP) | П(W) | И(L) | Н(D) | ПФ(PF) | ПА(PA) | ПД(PD) | БП(BP) | Б(Pts) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Француска | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 210 | 32 | 178 | 8 | 18 |
| 2 |  Нови Зеланд | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 253 | 47 | 206 | 3 | 15 |
| 3 |  Италија | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 114 | 181 | -67 | 2 | 10 |
| 4 |  Уругвај | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 65 | 164 | -99 | 1 | 5 |
| 5 |  Намибија | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 37 | 255 | -218 | 0 | 0 |
In the next round, they meet:
France – Uruguay, Thursday 14th of september, kickoff 21h.
New Zealand – Namibia, Friday 15th of september, kickoff 21h.
Italy is bye.
Ireland convincing against Romania
The Romanians started the match very strongly and to the general surprise of everyone, including themselves, they scored the first points of the match through Gabriel Rupanu, who took advantage of Ireland’s poor shot and executed a murderous counterattack. The Romanians fought as hard as they could, but they still didn’t have a solution for the central line led by Bandi Aki.
In the second part of the match, they experienced a real sweat, where the Irish shone in attack. In the end the score was 82-8 for the favored Irish. The Romanians did not have much space against the first favorite to win the World Cup title. Their consolation is that they scored 8 points and at least showed their teeth at the very beginning.
South Africa Defensive Clinic
The beginning of the match, as well as the entire first part, was extremely tough, where the defenders prevailed. The match had a huge importance, because if you lose, you have to redeem yourself against Ireland, and the chances of that are very minimal. South Africa realized two penalties through the excellent Manie Libbok, while Scotland realized one through Finn Russell.
And in the second part, the absolute defensive clinic of South Africa’s third line is playing. Jasper Wise, captain Siya Kolisi and Peter Steph de Toit were superb in the breakdown. They didn’t let the Scots breathe. In 47th minute after an excellent scrum, De Toit scores a try. And then a minute later, South Africa wins the ball in the middle of the field, which comes to Libock, who with a great shot employs Kurt Lee Arendse who scores a try. Faf de Klerk successfully converts for 18-3. Neither team scored until the end of the match.
Group B table after the first round:
| Поз (Pos) | Екипа (Team) | У(GP) | П(W) | И(L) | Н(D) | ПФ(PF) | ПА(PA) | ПД(PD) | БП(BP) | Б(Pts) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ирска | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 190 | 46 | 144 | 3 | 19 |
| 2 |  Јужна Африка | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 151 | 34 | 117 | 3 | 15 |
| 3 |  Шкотска | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 146 | 71 | 75 | 2 | 10 |
| 4 |  Тонга | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 96 | 177 | -81 | 1 | 5 |
| 5 |  Румунија | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 32 | 287 | -255 | 0 | 0 |
In the next round, they meet:
Ireland – Tonga, Saturday 16th of september, kickoff at 21h.
South Africa v Romania, Sunday 17th of september, kickoff at 15:00h.
Scotland bye.
The Aussies justified their role as favourites
Australia has an extremely young, promising and very talented team, which Eddie Jones is preparing for the next World Cup. When you add up all the caps of Australia’s players in the first match, you would not collect more than 45. From the very beginning, the Australians started extremely aggressively, leading 12-3 after only 10 minutes. By the end of the half, they played an excellent game and eventually went to the break with a score of 21-3.
Georgia managed to reduce seriously the backlog of TIR 1 nations. When we attach the proof that Australia won the second part of the match 14-12, then we come to a very interesting analysis, which is that Georgia is there, slowly entering the very top of world rugby. As if they need a few more strong matches a year. At the end of the match, the score was 35-15.
Fiji and Wales played best game of tournament so far
The best match so far was definitely the match between Wales and Fiji. Interesting from the first to the last minute. Wales started much better, with a try from the excellent Josh Adams and a penalty from a very focused Dan Biggar. The Fijians responded with two tries to turn the score to 14-8. By the end of the half, the Welsh scored a try and a penalty to make it 18-4.
And then in the second half, everything on the field started to explode. An incredible physical match with a huge number of takedowns and good moves. Wales were extremely disciplined, slowly building their lead and not allowing Fiji to impose their game. We thought we would get another match without suspense. And then the Fijians kicked into fifth gear. Tries by Tuisova and Doga reduced the score to 32-26. And then in the last attack the ball falls out to Radradari who was in a likely position to score. As soon as the referee played the final whistle, the players didn’t have much strength either to rejoice or to grieve. Very high tempo of the match.
Group C table after the first round:
| Поз (Pos) | Екипа (Team) | У(GP) | П(W) | И(L) | Н(D) | ПФ(PF) | ПА(PA) | ПД(PD) | БП(BP) | Б(Pts) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Велс | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 59 | 84 | 3 | 19 |
| 2 |  Фиџи | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 88 | 83 | 5 | 3 | 11 |
| 3 |  Аустралија | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 90 | 91 | -1 | 3 | 11 |
| 4 |  Португалија | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 64 | 103 | -39 | 0 | 6 |
| 5 |  Грузија | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 64 | 113 | -49 | 1 | 3 |
Group C table after the first round:
In the next round, they meet:
Wales-Portugal, Saturday 16th of september, kickoff at 17:45h.
Australia v Fiji, Sunday 17th of december, kickoff at 17:45h.
Georgia is bye.
Borthwick's lesson in defensive rugby
England completely disarmed Argentina in a very boring, tiring and frustrating game and ended up winning 27-10. It didn’t get off to a promising start for England as Tom Curry was sent off in the 18th minute . After that, the English were brilliant in defensive positioning and in breaking down. George Ford gave a public lesson in field goal shooting, eventually scoring all 27 points for his team.
Argentinians did not look like themselves. They were completely thrown out of the game. They had the initiative, they had the ball, but they made too many mistakes. In the end, it was not even possible to notice that they had more players, as if the situation was reversed. However, near the end of the match, they scored an essay through Bruni. If the Pumas continue to play like this, they cannot hope to advance to the quarter finals.
Unconvincing Japan celebrated against Chile
The impression is that Japan had to beat debutant Chile more convincingly. Somehow 42-12 seems too small a margin. The Japanese don’t look good, on the contrary. Chile is definitely not a team that can match the best teams in the tournament. However, they were up to the task, scored two essays and fought heroically.
Japan did win a bonus point, but it is definitely not an upgrade from the previous World Cup. But we will wait for the matches against the other teams in the group, so we will be able to say more about it. However, the main impression is not positive.
Group D table after the first round:
| Поз (Pos) | Екипа (Team) | У(GP) | П(W) | И(L) | Н(D) | ПФ(PF) | ПА(PA) | ПД(PD) | БП(BP) | Б(Pts) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Енглеска | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 150 | 39 | 111 | 2 | 18 |
| 2 |  Аргентина | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 127 | 69 | 58 | 2 | 14 |
| 3 |  Јапан | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 109 | 107 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 |  Самоа | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 92 | 75 | 17 | 3 | 7 |
| 5 |  Чиле | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 27 | 215 | -188 | 0 | 0 |
In the next round, they meet:
Tonga – Chile, Saturday 16th of september, kickoff at 15:00h.
England v Japan, Sunday 17th of september, kickoff at 21:00h.
Argentina is bye.
