The 'other' June tests

[nzzp]

<p>Heating up into the overtime - Georgia pressing on the line for a game winning try</p>

[nzzp]

<p>...and calling for a scrum after the hooter looking for scrum dominance</p>

[Stargazer]

<p>Tongan player stretchered off the field with what looks like a neck injury. Didn't look good at all. </p>

[Stargazer]

<p>Tongan players sent to the bin for repeated offending at the goal line. It's still not over.</p>

[Stargazer]

<p>Try Georgia in extra time.</p>

[nzzp]

<p>Georgia wins!  Great finish, never gave up, dominated scrums and attacked under advantage.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Today is yet another great day for fat hairy blokes dominating up front.  Love it!</p>

[Stargazer]

<p>And it's full time (finally). Georgia wins 23 to 20.</p>

[Stargazer]

<p>We may need this link to watch next weekend's game between Georgia and Fiji. Sky only seems to broadcast the PNC games, not the Georgian games.</p>

[Stargazer]

<p>Okay, that was my second game of the day. 15 minute break and then it's time for Fiji v Samoa.</p>

[nzzp]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="589129" data-time="1466218018">
<div>
<p>Okay, that was my second game of the day. 15 minute break and then it's time for Fiji v Samoa.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Same here - a fine display from the Under 8s this morning, good committed tackling, cleanout and running.  It almost looked like proper rugby for a while!</p>

[Stargazer]

<p>Reasonably entertaining game thus far. Samoa looking much fitter than Fiji though; is it just me, or are a lot of the Fijian players look slow?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>16-13 to Samoa a few minutes into the second half.</p>

[Stargazer]

<p>Fiji beats Samoa 26-16 and wins the Pacific Nations Cup (only three games this year). This is an important victory towards qualification for the 2019 RWC.</p>

[African Monkey]

<p>Hopeless 2nd half from Samoa. Couldn't catch a thing out there.</p>

[Stargazer]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="589140" data-time="1466226432">
<div>
<p>Hopeless 2nd half from Samoa. Couldn't catch a thing out there.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Agree! Fiji wasn't going to give up and Samoa totally wasted their opportunities. They could have won with a bit more focus. Fiji wasn't playing that well and conceding a lot of turn-overs, but Samoa didn't do anything with it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Next week's game, Samoa v Tonga is still going to be important for RWC qualification. The numbers 1 and 2 of the 2016 and 2017 PNC combined will qualify directly for the 2019 RWC; the number 3 can still qualify via <span style="color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">home and away play-off matches against </span><span style="color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;"> the second best Rugby Europe Championship team.</span></p>

[Stargazer]

<p>Ten minutes into the second half and Italy leads 14-13 against the USA.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Magpies flanker Tony Lamborn, who was named on the bench for his USA debut, came on early in the 27th minute.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Only just found a stream, so can't say much about the game.</p>

[Stargazer]

<p>USA with a man in the bin, giving Italy the opportunity to add some points. Watching this game, it's clear these countries are in the "transition zone" between two tiers of rugby. Tier 1 country Italy is better than tier 2 country USA, but the difference isn't very big.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Italy leads 21-13 after 67 minutes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>... and then the livestream goes offline. </p>

[Stargazer]

<p>Wow, just got the livestream back and I see Tony Lamborn score a try on his test debut!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>USA 20 - 21 Italy after 72 minutes</p>

[Stargazer]

<p>Full time: USA 20 - Italy 24</p>

[Stargazer]

<p>Half time: Argentina 17 - 10 France</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Most of the game was played in the Argentinian half, with France having majority of possession, but Argentina's attack more effective, with two good tries scored (Montero, Tuculet).</p>
<p>France is clearly under-strength, with its best players still involved in the Top14 semi-finals. Their goal kicker (Plisson) missed several kicks, but Bonfils scored a very necessary try.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Reasonably entertaining game, but it's a pity that France can't play with its best players.</p>

[Stargazer]

<p>Full time: Argentina 30 - 19 France.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Scrappy second half. Could have been a nice match to watch if ill-discipline - especially from the Argentinians - hadn't spoilt it. Try of the match came from Argie lock Petti, who must have thought he was a back for a minute.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Two yellow cards, one for each team, but what the officials missed was - what looked like - Creevy kicking a French player who was lying on the ground. Camera picked it up, so now wondering whether World Rugby is going to have a look at it. They should. We'll know if he gets cited.</p>