England start with scrappy win
SAPPORO: England got their World Cup campaign off to a scrappy start in Sapporo yesterday with a 35-3 Pool C victory over Tonga as Manu Tuilagi scored two tries while skipper Owen Farrell added 15 points with the boot.
Four years on from their first-round exit on home soil, England were keen to put on a commanding, clinical performance against the Pacific islanders, particularly after the All Blacks had thrashed them 92-7 in a World Cup warm-up earlier this month.
But the Tongans, led by big-hitting loose forwards Sione Kalamafoni and Zane Kapeli, proved difficult to break down at the Sapporo Dome and it was only rampaging centre Tuilagi’s tries that gave England an 18-3 advantage at half-time.
With a combination of basic errors and indiscipline robbing England of momentum, England had to wait until the 56th minute for their third try as hooker Jamie George went over off the back of a driving maul.
England somehow failed to claim their fourth try when Henry Slade failed to connect with Elliot Daly with the line at their mercy but replacement Luke Cowan-Dickie claimed the bonus point try after being sent clear by Jonathan Joseph.
England next face the United States in Pool C on Thursday while Tonga take on Argentina on Saturday.
ITALY DEFEAT NAMIBIA
Italy defeated Namibia 47-22 in wet and wild conditions in Higashiosaka yesterday, keeping alive their hopes of advancing from a tough Pool B.
Playing in windy and humid weather, Italy started slow and were error-prone throughout but managed to score seven tries to Namibia’s three at Hanazono Rugby Stadium near Osaka.
Despite the win, Italy coach Conor O’Shea said his side will need to pull themselves together as they wasted several chances due to handling errors and indiscipline.
They conceded five penalties and gave up 16 turnovers against the Tier-2 team.
“We just didn’t get the pace into the game that we wanted. It was difficult out there and [give] credit to Namibia... but we’ll take five points and we’ll move on quickly,” O’Shea said “We need to play better in the remaining matches.”
Italy aim to reach the knockout stage for the first time but will have a tough road ahead in a pool with South Africa and New Zealand. They will face Canada on Thursday.