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There was some scintillating rugby on show around the world this weekend. Despite a lack of tries in the Lions v Crusaders Game, England, Argentina, Ireland & Scotland all made up for it with some stunning running rugby. Full game and condensed highlights below, and here are some of the best tries:
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Argentina vs England
A debate is raging in the northern hemisphere over whether ‘rugby chaos’ is an acceptable thing. Journalistic elders – for whom Carwen Jones is more than a name from rugby history – refuse to permit such a sacrilegious phrase. Their words are lore for their junior acolytes, who pump up the anti-chaos rhetoric. But games like this bonkers eight-try turnover-fest in San Juan strongly suggest they could be wrong – from Emiliano Boffelli’s first-touch try to Denny Solomona’s insane 15-minute debut. It’s only anecdotal evidence, of course, but if it really does exist, this surely was rugby chaos in action.
Italy vs Scotland
Any concern that new Scotland coach Gregor Townsend would take the joie de rugby that previous coach Vern Cotter had instilled in his charges was comprehensively dispelled in a four-tries-in-10-minutes destruction of an inexperienced Italian side out in Singapore. It was thrilling, thoroughly entertaining stuff – and Townsend has already insisted that there’s much more to come, which will be music to the ears of Scottish rugby fans.
South Africa vs France
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A look at the final score suggests this was a walk in the Loftus Versfeld for the hosts. But the scoreline was pretty tight until French fullback Brice Dulin was sin-binned in the 59th minute for holding back Courtnall Skosan with the tryline beckoning. It’s safe to say the Springboks took full advantage of the power play, and they did not let up until the final whistle. The tourists had fielded a weakened side, but they really could and should have done better.
USA vs Ireland
James Ryan is destined to become the answer to the future rugby quiz question, ‘which Ireland player made his try-scoring international debut before he had played for his province’s senior side?’. At the weekend, the Leinster lock went one better than Brian O’Driscoll, who played for Ireland against Australia in June 1999 before he pulled on the famous blue jersey of Leinster, but who did not score. Ryan’s touchdown, less than 60 seconds after he had replaced Quinn Roux, was one of 12 tries in the match – and nine for the Irish as they romped to victory at the Red Bull Arena.
Crusaders vs British and Irish Lions
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Warren Gatland’s Lions came into this match on a tsunami of intense criticism following a midweek defeat against the Blues. If they failed to win against the least successful New Zealand team in Super Rugby, the doom-mongers warned, their next opponents – the best team in Super Rugby, undefeated this season – would make whatever comes seven levels up from mincemeat of them. This is what happened next. The French referee has copped flak for his handling of the game – but decide for yourselves how much his decisions affected the result.
