Rugby World Cup 2011: Day 5 and 6 recaps
One match each was played on the fifth and sixth day of Rugby World Cup 2011 and arch rivals, Russia and United States, stood head-to-head in the first competition played on September 15. The much anticipated match was played in a slow tone as both sides
looked careful at their back lines.
Russia was off the mark in the match very quickly as their fly-half Yuri Kushnarev kicked a lovely penalty in the second minute of the match. There was huge deadlock for the Russians afterwards as the failed to add anything to their total in the remaining
time of the first half. Meanwhile, United States kept of ticking away with their score and took a healthy lead of 10-3 just in the 19th minute of the match. United States won the match by 13-6 after a patience testing time for the spectators.
United States led the match by 10-3 at the end of first half with the help of Chris Wyles and Mike Petri. Petri scored the only try of the match whereas Wyles guided the ball into Russian posts on penalty and conversion goals on one each time.
The second part of the game also went on at snails’ pace as both sides managed to score one three pointer each. It was Chris Wyles once again who earned a few points for US Eagles. On the other hand, Russian centre Konstantin Rachkov broke the long silence
for his side in the 77th minute of the match. United States clinched first victory of the Rugby World Cup in their second outing of the tournament in New Plymouth.
The sole match of September 16 was held between the hosts All Blacks and Asian champs Japan, in Hamilton. The world number 1, All Blacks thumped the Japanese by a monstrous difference 83-7. It was a big match for Keven Mealamu, who led the side in the absence
of their regular skipper, Richie McCaw. Their first choice fly-half Dan Carter was also not available for this particular match.
All Blacks scored 13 tries in the match which remained the most by any team in the RWC 2011. They played equally well in the both halves and never gave their opponents an opportunity to bounce back in the match. Conard Smith scored the opening try for All
Blacks and later on they were simply uncontrollable.
New Zealand enhanced their lad to 38-0 until the interval with the help of fine work from Richard Kauhi, Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu and Colin Slade. Sonny Bill Williams, who joined the party in the second half, as he was given bench role, boosted his team
with two well executed tries. Andrew h**e and Ma’a Nonu elevated their team with one each tries in the 60th and 61st minute respectively.
In the end the Japanese proved a piece of cake for the rampant All Blacks, who sealed their second consecutive victory of the tournament by huge difference.
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