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| Anthony Watson of England makes a tackle on Gareth Davies of Wales |
Darry Worthington takes a look at the major Rugby World Cup 2019 news that has come out this past week.
With the Rugby World Cup just a few weeks away and warm-up games coming thick and fast, it’s getting to the point where injuries and the form of key players could derail a sides campaigns.
Below, we take a look at the latest World Cup news for the week of the 12th of August.
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All Blacks Lose Top Spot
It finally happened! New Zealand lost their number 1 world ranking – albeit for a day – after a harrowing 47-26 defeat to Australia in Perth. They didn’t have to wait long to claim it back though as Wales’s loss to England at Twickenham on Sunday saw the All Blacks reclaim their lofty perch.
Springboks Looking Good
The Springboks are hitting their straps at just the right time with their mammoth 13-46 victory over Argentina seeing them claim a maiden Rugby Championship title. While this is a great achievement for the rainbow nation, coach Rassie Erasmus will probably be more pleased with the enormous amount of depth he has found with a number of squad players putting their hands up during the Rugby Championship.
Host Nation Continue Winning Streak
Japan made a clean sweep of the Pacific Nations Cup as their 34-20 victory over the United States in Suva saw them claim Pacific bragging honours for the year.
This was the Rugby World Cup host nations’ third successive victory and followed big wins over Fiji and Tonga. And while their opponents haven’t been of the highest calibre, Japan have sent a statement to their World Cup pool rivals with these wins; Do not underestimate us.
European Sides Underway
Ireland, Italy, England and Wales all got their World Cup warm-up fixtures underway this past weekend with a weakened Irish side seeing off the Italians 29-10 and a far from full strength English side beating Wales 33-19.
France and Scotland will join in on the action next weekend as the Six Nations duo go head-to-head on the Riviera, while Russia enters the fray with a clash against Italy.
Injury Worries
England and Wales failed to come through their scrap without any injuries as Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe and England flanker Tom Curry were both forced to leave the field. The former looks more likely to have trouble being fit for the start of the World Cup after sustaining a knee injury that saw him leave Twickenham on crutches.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
