Road to the World Cup: Japan survive Tonga scare as Uruguay, Chile play out thriller

Tue, Aug 1, 2023, 12:29 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
All the news from the opening Rugby World Cup warm up games. Photo: Getty Images
All the news from the opening Rugby World Cup warm up games. Photo: Getty Images

The Rugby World Cup is fast approaching with the opening game just over a month away.

All 20 teams have started their preparations towards France as they look to finalise their campaigns, beginning with a series of warm-up games.

Catch every game of the Rugby World Cup LIVE on Stan Sport. Start watching Stan Sport now.

In a new series, 'Road to the World Cup' looks at how the nations are faring in the build-up for September's event.

Australia 7 def by New Zealand 38

The All Blacks secured the Bledisloe Cup with a 38-7 win over the Wallabies at the MCG.

They built their lead with two tries before the half and added three in the space of seven minutes to claim the bonus point win and the Rugby Championship.

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South Africa 22 def Argentina 21

The Springboks edged out Argentina 22-21 in an entertaining fixture at Ellis Park.

The hosts controlled the scoreboard before two late tries to the Pumas tightened it up towards the end

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Scotland 25 def Italy 13

Darcy Graham has returned to Test action with two tries as Scotland beat Italy 25-13 in their Rugby World Cup warm-up match at Murrayfield.

Graham, who missed the Six Nations with a knee injury, proved the difference as he scored a nice try in their first meet-up since March's Six Nations finale.

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Fiji 33 def Samoa 19

Fiji continued their promising build-up to the World Cup with a 33-19 win over Samoa in Suva.

Hooker Tevita Ikanivere opened the scoring and finished with a double as they cruised home despite a late Samoa fightback

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Japan 21 def Tonga 16

Japan have rebounded from their defeat to Samoa with a 21-16 win over Tonga.

Both sides traded tries, however it was the hosts that finished the half with a burst when Amato Fakatava found the line after a nice offload from opening try-scorer Jone Naikabula.

William Havili reduced the margin with a pair of penalties, only for the Japanese to kick clear with a try to Semisi Masirewa.

Samuela Moli gave the Tongans some late hope when his try set up a grandstand finish.

Rikiya Matsuda's late penalty gave the Japanese some breathing room, hanging on for the crucial win

Uruguay 26 def Chile 25

Uruguay survived a late scare to take a 26-25 win over South American rivals Chile in Montevideo.

Chile opened the scoring via a penalty goal, however, it was the hosts that made a real impact shortly afterwards after earning themselves a penalty try, leading to Ignacio Silva's yellow carding

Chile all of a sudden found themselves down to 13 when fullback Iñaki Ayarza joined him, allowing Uruguay to run away with the game.

They built a 19-6 lead at the break before 'Los Cóndores' hit back through Raimundo Martínez.

Ayarza scored with eight minutes to go to reduce the margin to one, only for Tomás Inciarte's 75th minute try to seal the win.

Argentina XV 34 def Namibia 27

Namibia has gone down to an Argentina XV 34-27 in Montevideo.

Argentina controlled the first half as they took a 19-3 lead after just 21 minutes.

Federico Lavanini's late try increases their lead to 26-8 at the break, which kicked the Namibians into life.

Hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld crossed for a hat-trick as they shot into the lead heading into the final quarter.

In the end, the depth of Argentina was too much as Joaquin de la Vega Mendia's penalty restored their lead, before Clermont star Bautista Delguy sealed the win with seven minutes to go.

This week's fixtures (all times AEST)

Saturday, August 5

Samoa v Tonga, Apia Park, Samoa - 11:50 am (LIVE on Stan Sport)

New Zealand v Australia, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin - 12:30 pm (LIVE on Stan Sport)

Japan v Fiji, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo - 8:15 pm

Sunday, August 6

Scotland v France, Murrayfield, Edinburgh - 12:05 am (LIVE on Stan Sport)

Wales v England, Principality Stadium, Cardiff - 2:20 am (LIVE on Stan Sport)

Romania v USA, Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest - 3:00 am

Uruguay v Namibia, Esatio Charrua, Montevideo - 4:00 am

Ireland v Italy, Aviva Stadium, Dublin - 5:00 am (LIVE on Stan Sport)

Argentina v South Africa, José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires - 5:10 am (LIVE on Stan Sport)

Chile v Argentina XV, Estadio Regional Calvo y Bascuñan de Antofagasta, Antofagasta - 7:00 am

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