England start their World Cup campaign

-

After nearly 3 days of action-packed Rugby, it's time for England. England has George Ford at fly-half while captain Owen Farrell at inside centre. Also, Billy Vinupola starts for England while brother Mako misses out, also Manu Tualiagi who had two bad World Cups playing alongside Farrell. The game is held in Saporrro where England's football team took on Argentina in the 2002 Football World Cup. Meanwhile, Tonga has 7 English based players in the team including the captain Saile Piutau.
Farrell making 6 of 7 kicks

Before the game, Tonga did their version of the Haka, the Sipitau, while the England fans that travelled sung Swing Low Sweet Chariot. The opening minutes were a battle as Tonga and England played a physical match. After an advantage on an offside penalty failed to materialise England decided to give Farrells boot a go at the posts. Farrell sent the ball straight down the middle and gave England a 3-0 lead after 10 minutes. Tonga got a penalty kick 3 minutes later which Tane Takulua converted to make it 3-3. England thought they had a try in the 22nd minute but the replays showed the ball was held off the ground and England were given a scrum. Then England got the ball across the line then went back to TMO and the referee decided to give the try to Manu Tuilagi. Farrell's conversion sailed wide right. This made it 8-3 England.
Itoje scoring his 2nd try

After an error on the kickoff, Tonga was given a penalty but the kick sailed wide right. England then played like they did in the 6 nations fast passes then finished off with another Tuilagi try. The kick by Farrell went through the posts to make it 15-3 England half an hour into the match. Then England was given a penalty which Farrell made to make it 18-3. There was a contentious issue on Maro Itoje being tackled high but it was said not high and started around the chest area.

England started the second half with a penalty kick. England had an opportunity for a try but handling errors gave the ball back to Tonga. England made a Sub as Jonny May went off for Henry Slade. England scored their 3rd try by Jamie George after charging from a lineout. Farrell kicked the conversion to make it 28-3 England. It was George's final action as he went off for Luke Cowan-Dickie. England scored their final try by the substitute. Tonga kept on trying to get a consolation try but in the 5th minute of added time, Tonga knocked the ball on which ended the game at 35-3 England.
Owen Farrel(right) celebrating the win

Manu Tuilagi won the man of the match and England top the group because of the bonus point. The next game for England is the USA in Kobe on Thursday morning. Tonga meanwhile plays Argentina on Saturday in Higashiosoka.

Back with more soon.

KRO Mark

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Miracle of Istanbul". Move over for a modern classic

-
Image
A happy Klopp Tuesday night provided one of the greatest nights of football madness. Liverpool and Barcelona were going into the game with Barcelona looking at a comfortable 3-0 advantage courtesy of the magician named Lionel Messi. Barcelona also had another advantage in that two of Liverpool's main strike force Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah due to injuries. That forced manager Jurgen Klopp to put Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaquiri into the lineup. There were returns for James Milner and Joel Matip. Barcelona put out the same team believing they can hang on to the lead. Messi with a sprinkling of magic at the Camp Nou However, for Barcelona, there was always one thing that never plays in anyone's hands. Anfield. The fans always seem to provide something extra especially on European nights like this one. That was made clear 5 minutes before kickoff as Anfield went into full-on You'll Never Walk Alone. Some in the media were thinking of this could be the Miracle of I...
Read more

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

-
Image
What a week in Europe first off Liverpool coming from 3-0 down to win 4-3 last night and then Spurs pulling off an Istanbul. Spurs had a disadvantage in that they had to go to Amsterdam to play, which was a bad sign for them as they didn't have the home support like Liverpool. Spurs had to go out without Harry Kane but luckily had Jan Vertonghen back after coming off concussion symptoms. Also, Pochettino put Victor Wanyama for Eric Dier. Meanwhile, Ajax who had been creating headlines by defeating former champions Real Madrid and Juventus were looking to add to their trophy collection after they won the Dutch Cup at the weekend. Spurs had the advantage of away goals if needed. Captain de Ligt scores for Ajax The first half didn't go Spurs way. Dusan Tadic formerly of Southampton fired a shot 18 yards from the edge of the box which was deflected by Kieran Trippier but brilliantly handled by Hugo Lloris. On the ensuing corner, the Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt got free of...
Read more

Rugby World Cup kicked off in Tokyo

-
Image
After a busy summer in which England's cricket team were dominating the headlines with their World Cup and Ashes, and England's women's football team got to the semi-final of the Women's World Cup, now its the turn of the Rugby squad to take the headlines. Though they don't play until Sunday morning in the Sapporo Dome,  against Tonga. That completes a breakfast of rugby after Ireland face Scotland and Wales take on Georgia on Monday. It's the first-ever Rugby World Cup tournament in Asia. Japan team getting their names announced Japan is hosting the first match against Russia and is looking to build on their shocking victory of South Africa in 2015. Meanwhile, Russia only qualified after Spain, Belgium and Romania were disqualified after fielding ineligible players during their qualification matches. Russia's players only play in the Russian league while two of them play outside the country in Valery Mozov who plays for Sale in the Premiership and ...
Read more