England 30 - 24 Fiji
Dominate the breakdown and good things will happen. England owned the breaks in this one from start to finish. Fiji drew close and had their chances but errors and stout England counter-rucking (and a fine drop goal!) sealed it. English fly half Owen Farrell kicked 20 of the English points.
Entertaining game if not too technical. The Fijians found success with their broken play madness while the English forwards dominated. England face South Africa in the semi.
South Africa 29 - 28 France
The hosts felt hard done by the refereeing in this one, which otherwise was a hammering affair of skilled rugby. With France threatening their second try, the Boks' giant number 4, Eben Etzbeth (all 6' 9" of him) appeared to commit a deliberate knock on, only for the officials to rule the ball went backwards. It sure didn't look like it on TV. South Africa converted the try in three phases, gutting the French. The Boks scored again just 6 minutes later while their defense looked like a fortress. France led by 3 at the half. Three tries apiece for France and South Africa. Proper rugby.
The Springboks came out like a wall of muscle, hammering the French ruck. France scored a couple of penalties and then on came the South African substitutes. An embarrassing attempt at a penalty kick went backwards on the French, pinning them behind their 22. The South African scrum then began to assert itself. France subbed off their props but the Boks were too stout. Big man Etzbeth powers over for a try, the Boks hit a 50 meter penalty, and the French are down with minutes to play. Another non-call by the officials, this time on a head-to-head contact left the French miffed.
Trailing by 1 with the clock nearing red, the French were pinned deep. They seemed to lose their form in desperation for a penalty, but the Boks held, the French knocked one on, and the hosts exited the tournament.
Dominate the breakdown and good things will happen. England owned the breaks in this one from start to finish. Fiji drew close and had their chances but errors and stout England counter-rucking (and a fine drop goal!) sealed it. English fly half Owen Farrell kicked 20 of the English points.
Entertaining game if not too technical. The Fijians found success with their broken play madness while the English forwards dominated. England face South Africa in the semi.
South Africa 29 - 28 France
The hosts felt hard done by the refereeing in this one, which otherwise was a hammering affair of skilled rugby. With France threatening their second try, the Boks' giant number 4, Eben Etzbeth (all 6' 9" of him) appeared to commit a deliberate knock on, only for the officials to rule the ball went backwards. It sure didn't look like it on TV. South Africa converted the try in three phases, gutting the French. The Boks scored again just 6 minutes later while their defense looked like a fortress. France led by 3 at the half. Three tries apiece for France and South Africa. Proper rugby.
The Springboks came out like a wall of muscle, hammering the French ruck. France scored a couple of penalties and then on came the South African substitutes. An embarrassing attempt at a penalty kick went backwards on the French, pinning them behind their 22. The South African scrum then began to assert itself. France subbed off their props but the Boks were too stout. Big man Etzbeth powers over for a try, the Boks hit a 50 meter penalty, and the French are down with minutes to play. Another non-call by the officials, this time on a head-to-head contact left the French miffed.
Trailing by 1 with the clock nearing red, the French were pinned deep. They seemed to lose their form in desperation for a penalty, but the Boks held, the French knocked one on, and the hosts exited the tournament.
