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Wallaby winger James O’Connor has been ruled out of Australia’s Rugby World Cup match against the USA with a strained hamstring.
Fiji backrower Dominiko Waqaniburotu will almost certainly miss the rest of the Rugby World Cup after being suspended for three weeks.
Italy (38) 53 / Russia (7) 17 (Final Score)
Italy and Russia did battle in Nelson at 09:30 SA Time (19:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Italy scored 9 tries to 3 by Russia.
It was good rugby though, nice running and full-on dominance by Italy in the scrums.
In an official press release the Blue Bulls Company Pty (Ltd), have announced the signing from DHL Western Province of promising youngster and flyhalf, Lionel Cronje.
Western Province No 8 Duane Vermeulen has confirmed he won’t be available for selection for the remainder of the 2011 season.
South Africa are focusing on their upcoming Rugby World Cup match against Namibia even though they are now on track to face Australia in the quarter finals.
All Black Captain Richie McCaw and key players Dan Carter, Mils Muliaina and Israel Dagg all look set top play in New Zealand’s crunch Rugby World Cup pool A match against France in Auckland on Saturday.
The match is set to decide the runner up of the pool and therefore who will face the winner of Pool B which includes England, Argentina and Scotland.
A simulated rugby field at Loftus Versfeld was filled to capacity with bags of clothing and bedding collected by Clothing4Children from Pretoria Schools. Vodacom Blue Bulls, DHL Western Province and Sharks players in the under 19, under 21 and senior teams, fans, sponsors and suite owners in the Pretoria region also collected for the Clothing4Children Campaign. Prior to Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup clash between the Vodacom Blue Bulls and DHL Western Province, all the players walked on to the field with their bags to show their support for the inspiring campaign, started by Burger brothers Schalk and Wim.
All Blacks wing Zac Guildford admitted he had an alcohol problem on Monday and publicly apologised for breaking an agreement with management by drinking “excessively” after a game last month.
The Free State Cheetahs sent out a strong warning that even though they are lingering in fourth position on the Currie Cup log, they have what it takes to run with the front runners.And the Blue Bulls showed that they are not to be written off, yet.
France (19) 46 / Canada (10) 19 (Final Score)
France and Canada did battle in Napier at 10:30 SA Time (20:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Brave Canada gave France a torrent time till the 70th minute, then the French machine clicked into gear with a few quick tries, earning France the bonus point for tries after full time.
England (17) 41 / Georgia (10) 10 (Final Score)
England and Georgia did battle in Dunedin at 08:00 SA Time (18:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Despite a 31-point winning margin and 6 tries, England will not feel at all happy about this match and you can bet your bottom dollar that Martin Johnson must be secretly fuming at the ill-dicipline and overall incompetance of the England side.
If Georgia had a kicker who could slot the penalties, the score would have been very different.
That said, it’s 5 Log points in the bag for England.
Wales (6) 17 / Samoa (10) 10 (Final Score)
Wales and Samoa did battle in Hamilton at 05:30 SA Time (15:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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It was a brutal match, Samoa not relenting and Wales had to fight hard and right to the end to ensure their win.
One loss to Wales in Pool D, one loss to Samoa…. now the Springboks do not want to lose against Samoa, because it would mean one loss to them then as well, leaving the Pool wide open, and somebody will go Home!
Wallabies (6) 6 / Ireland (6) 15 (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies did battle against Ireland at Eden Park, Auckland at 10:30 SA Time (20:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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In the first real upset in Rugby World Cup 2011, Ireland upset the apple cart and beat the Australian Wallabies.
No tries in the match, just hard, uncompromising rugby!
Springboks (21) 49 / Fiji (3) 3 (Final Score)
The Springboks and Fiji did battle in POOL D in Wellington at 08:00 SA Time (18:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & 4, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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A very well balanced Springbok performance!
The Springboks scored 6 tries, 5 of them converted, plus 3 penalties to a lone Fiji penalty.
Job done, mission accomplished, 5 points in the bag!
Argentina (26) 43 / Romania (8) 8 (Final Score)
Argentina did battle with Romania in Invercargill at 05:30 SA Time (15:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Consumate performance by Argentina, 6 tries to 1.
Argentina was just too strong from the word go.
Leopards (9) 23 / Lions (21) 43 (Final Score)
The Platinum Leopards hosted the MTN Lions at Profert Olen Park, Potchefstroom at 19:10 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Mission accomplished for the Lions, 6 tries to 2. Full haul of 5 Log points for the MTN fellas.
All Blacks (38) 83 / Japan (0) 7 (Final Score)
The New Zealand All Blacks hosted Japan in Hamilton at 10:00 SA Time (20:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & 4, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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The All Blacks scored 13 tries to 1 and ran riot!
Russia (3) 6 / USA (10) 13 (Final Score)
Russia and USA did battle in New Plymouth at 09:30 SA Time (19:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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USA was in control of most of the match, holding on to the ball well, but struggling to break resolute Russian defences.
The Springboks made four changes to their starting line-up and two more on the bench when they named the team to meet Fiji in their Pool D World Cup 2011 match in Wellington on Saturday.
France fly-half David Skrela will miss the rest of the World Cup after sustaining a bad shoulder injury in the opener against Japan, coach Marc Lievremont announced on Wednesday. Continue reading 
Springbok wing Bryan Habana has been ruled out of South Africa’s Rugby World Cup match against Fiji because of a knee injury and lock Johann Muller is in doubt. Continue reading 
England Prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup due to injury and will return home to England. Continue reading 
Scotland (9) 15 / Georgia (3) 6 (Final Score)
Scotland did battle with Georgia in Invercargill at 09:30 SA Time (19:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & 4, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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A Tryless match!
Scotland were mostly in control of the match, but they were blunt on attack against a gutsy Georgian side who defended like trojans.
Tonga (7) 20 Canada (10) 25 (Final Score)
Tonga did battle with Canada in Whangarei at 07:00 SA Time (17:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Canada gutsed out a 5-point win, with gritty and hard work… and with 3 tries to 2.
Three Rugby World Cup matches take place on 14 September 2011.
The 3 matches have already been scheduled as Live Game Articles and will be covered here on Rugby-Talk.
England’s Courtney Lawes has been suspended for two Rugby World Cup matches after being found guilty of recklessly striking an opponent with his knee.
Leading South African referee Mark Lawrence has announced his retirement from international match officiating to concentrate on a new role as a coach and mentor to emerging refereeing talent.
A parade of topless, motorcycle-riding strippers scheduled to take place in Auckland this month has been cancelled to preserve the Rugby World Cup’s family atmosphere, organisers said Monday.
Rugby player Bees Roux, convicted of culpable homicide last week, should know this week if his suspension from the Blue Bulls would be lifted, according to a report on Monday.
Despite the most optimistic faces on the Springbok team at the moment, there is no doubt the Boks will be privately fuming with themselves at the way they allowed Wales to steal momentum in their 17-16 victory in Wellington on Sunday.
South Africa on Monday played down injury concerns in the camp, despite confirmation that veteran lock Bakkies Botha is not responding to treatment for his Achilles problem.
A stack of injuries in the opening weekend’s action at the World Cup has underlined how important squad strength will be in deciding which teams will go deep into the marathon, six-week tournament.
Injured All Black Kieran Read has declared that he will be fit to start the Rugby World Cup and play against Canada in New Zealand’s final Pool game. Continue reading
Springbok vice-captain Victor Matfield and centre Jean de Villiers have been ruled out of South Africa’s match against Fiji due to injury.