2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in SF

US wing Perry Baker (right) scoring a brace
against Wales, July 20, 2018.

Rugby--though I never played this British invention, despite my high school actually having a team (and a good one), I am a huge fan of the sport, and in the past have posted about the Rugby World Cup, whose next edition arrives in 2019, in Japan. That World Cup will feature the globe's best 15-man rugby teams. (There is an 15-woman squad Rugby World Cup as well, whose next championship will be in 2021). The 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, though, offered a faster, smaller version of the international game, Rugby Sevens, with 7 players and different, streamlined rules from standard 15-person rugby union play. As a result, Rugby Sevens matches are briefer affairs, and often feature far more thrilling runs up and down the field, eliminating some of the slog and stasis of standard rugby, which is not without its charms too.

South African star Siviye Soyizwapi (left)
racing into the end zone for a try, and finishing as
co-top Rugby World Cup Sevens try scorer

I had not realized until C alerted me to it that this year's Rugby World Cup Sevens were underway this past weekend in San Francisco, but he managed to record the final day's key matches, capturing the championship and other key matchups. In this year's Cup, 24 men's teams and 16 women's teams competed at San Francisco's AT&T Park in games that were structured to take place over a three day span. I was a bit amazed when I first saw how tightly scheduled the competition was, especially compared, for example, to recent tournaments like the recent FIFA World Cup in Russia, or the Wimbledon All England Tennis Tournament. In this tournament, the games were pegged and structured that they flew past without any hitches; the women's championship took place on the 21st, followed by the men's on the 22nd, with various lower-placement and bowl matches artfully dovetailed in.

All Blacks Sevens star Joe Ravouvou, diving
for a try, and finishing as co-top Rugby
World Cup Sevens try scorer

The host US's Sevens squad played with panache throughout, though they finished 2-2. Entering the tournament as the 5th seed, having won a 2016-17 tournament in Dubai, they advanced in the Championship round of 16 by defeating past champion Wales 35-0, then lost to England in extra time 24-19. That sent the US to the fifth place bracket semi-finals against Scotland, which it defeated 28-0, before the team lost to Argentina 33-7, finishing in 6th place. In the opening game, center Martin Iosefo, forward Danny Barrett, and young speedster wing Carlin Isles all scored tries, as did star wing Perry Baker, who scored twice. Longtime team captain Madison Hughes made all five conversions. Against England, the US was behind 7-12 yet couldn't close the gap; by game's end, Hughes, scrum-half Folau Niua and Baker scored, but Hughes managed only two of the conversions, the game concluding with a 24-19 loss for the Americans.

The US's Martin Iosefo, in white, during his breakaway
run in the US-Argentina game, July 22, 2018

In the penultimate shut-out match against Scotland, Maka (KK) Unufe, Hughes, Stephin Hughes, and Isles all scored tries, with Hughes converting each. The US dominated and looked like a team that could have gone nearly all the way, but for the loss to England. Against Argentina, however, the US again struggled to score tries, while being dominated by the stronger and faster Argentinian squad. By half time the US was down 0-19. In the second half Iosefo, who entered as a substitute scored for the US, with Stephin Thomasin converting for the extra point, but it was hardly enough to make up for Argentina's two subsequent tries and conversions, and the final score was 7-33, giving the US a 6th place finish.

Fiji's Sevuloni Mocenacagi, after scoring his try
against South Africa in the Bronze final, won by
South Africa, 24-19, July 22, 2018

In the men's final, for the Melrose Cup, powerhouse New Zealand defeated England 33-12, with South Africa finishing third and Olympic champion Fiji finishing 4th. This was the All Blacks Sevens' third win and second straight in World Rugby Cup Sevens, once again making them the only team to have won the tournament more than once, and the only team to have won it three times. Other than South Africa, other teams from that continent did not fare so well; Kenya finished 16th, Uganda finished 19, and Zimbabwe 23, defeating the last place team this time, Jamaica. Several of these countries, Kenya in particular, demonstrated in the Olympics, however, that they have the talent to give any team a challenge, so it will be exciting to see what the 2022 edition brings.

All Blacks Akuila Rokolisoa sprinting towards
the end zone in the Championship game
against England, July 22, 2018 

All Blacks Akuila Rokolisoa after his
try during the Championship game
against England, July 22, 2018 

All Blacks Akuila Rokolisoa celebrating
after his try in the Championship game
against England, July 22, 2018 

The women's final pitted New Zealand against France, with the All Blacks Sevens winning 29-0. Australia's team finished 3rd and the host US squad finished 4th, after 3rd place finishes in the two prior Rugby World Cups of 2009 and 2013. The US, as host, had an automatic draw, and was ranked 5 in the draw, below Australia and Canada, but as they had shown in prior World Cups, played with brio, defeating China 38-7 in the round of 16, then Russia 33-17 in the quarterfinals, before losing to the All Blacks Sevens 26-21 in a close match in the semifinals and Australia 24-14 in the bronze medal match. The US women in fact were the only team that posed any real challenge for New Zealand. In rugby sevens as in 11-person rugby, whether among the women or men, New Zealand's All Blacks remain the team to beat.

New Zealand's Portia Woodman (center),
breaking a tackle by France in the women's
Championship game, July 21, 2018

2015 Rugby World Cup Underway

English and Fijian ruggers vie for the ball

Once upon a time visitors to J's Theater would be likely to encounter regular postings about professional sports, both of the US domestic kind (i.e. baseball in particular, as well as soccer and football) and of the kind played and championed in other parts of the globe (i.e., rugby, the Olympics, etc.). Back in 2005 I even wrote a post some years ago all the sports I like(d) to follow.

At some point, perhaps during one of my very busy autumns half a decade ago or so I ceased posted about baseball, for the most part, and also about all other sports, though I last year did mention soccer's FIFA World Cup in Brazil, with its attendant protests. (It turned out to be a debacle for the Brazilian team and harbinger of a looming political crisis for the country, though the World Cup in general went off without real problems after the first few matches.)

Try is good!

US rugger Andrew Durutalo

Fiji vs. England

Fiji's breakaway run

I haven't posted about rugby union's World Cup since 2011, but I marked my calendar not to miss this year's version, the 8th meeting of this sport's quadrennial global championship, and through the miracle of the Internet, I've been able to catch a few matches and catch up on many more. The UK is serving as host nation for the 2015 World Cup games, which began on September 18, and run through  October 31. The pool matches are taking place across England and Wales. The final will be held in Twickenham Stadium in London.

20 nations, including powerhouses New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and France, as well as the United States, Canada, Italy, and Japan, and Pacific Island nations Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji, are in the competition. 12 of the 20 countries qualified by finishing in the top 3 places in their pools in the prior World Cup, in 2011, and only Uruguay, replacing Russia, did not compete in the prior championship. There are four pools of five teams, with each team in a pool playing a round-robin of 10 games with other pool members to establish which ones will advance to the next round on points and points differentials.

The pools are as follows:

Pool A: Australia, England, Wales, Fiji, Uruguay
Pool B: South Africa, Samoa, Scotland, Japan, United States
Pool C: New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga, Georgia, Namibia
Pool D: France, Ireland, Italy, Canada, Romania

Thus far, there have been expected outcomes, with host England defeated Fiji (though quite badly, which was surprising) 35-11, France walloping Italy 32-10, Ireland wiping Canada 50-7, and Wales defeating Uruguay 54-9, but there also have been upsets, with international powerhouse South Africa falling to Japan 32-34, and Argentina giving the New Zealand All Blacks a stiff challenge before going down 26-16. The US, which is somewhat near the bottom of the pack in global rankings, fell to Samoa 25-16, though they have the skills to win at least one match, if not more, in their pool.

After Fiji's loss to host England

Tonga's succesful try!

US (in dark blue) vs. Samoa

Tonga, and Georgia, during a scrum 

I'll end by noting that whenever I watch rugby I'm reminded of its many similarities to US football. Both involve a group of big men running up a field, with a ball, that they can throw to each other, kick down the field, and try to put over a goal line, or through upright bars, for points. On the other hand, in rugby there are no set yard gain requirements, no padding (except for earguards), and no forward passing.

The sport also involves a scrum, and the fascinating set play where each team hoists a player into the air to catch a sideline pass. (All of these game elements have specific names that I should look up.) When I was in high school, where rugby was played, I thought it was nowhere near as thrilling as football (and I didn't play it, either), but now, watching certain breakaway runs I think it gives football a credible challenge. I'm looking forward to watching more matches, and will aim to post a few more times before the championship is over.

Next matches up, this Wednesday: Scotland vs. Japan, Australia vs. Fiji, and France vs. Romania. Here are a few screen captures from the first few matches. Enjoy!

NZ All Black hooker Kevin Mealamu
throwing in the ball against Uruguay 

All Black back row rugger Victor Vito

New Zealand vs. Uruguay 

Uruguay tackles a New Zealander 

All Black rugger making a run 

New Zealand back Aaron Smith diving
for the goal line and try

Fijian lock Leone Nakarawa

England (in red) and Fiji,
during the match

A Tongan, going for a try (touchdown)

The Tongan player is almost there

South African players,
before their match 

Japan vs. South Africa 

Japan's Ayumu Gomomaru,
attempting a conversion 

Samoan players celebrating a try against US 

Samoan player throwing in
the ball, US vs. Samoa 

US player making a run

US teammates celebrating

US player attempting a goal kick 

Samoan player, after his team's
victory over the US

Quote: Jim Baital

"In the army, Tali did not find life as simple as he had expected. There was very little freedom, and he could not do anything without someone telling him off.

"'All right you lazybones, get up and get a move on', ordered the sergeant. They bounced out of their beds, jumped to their feet, and as birds scatter, starting from one end to the other, so did the soldiers, as the sergeant marched down the corridor. The sound of fluttering clothes, of running feet, and of showers being turned on at full speed continued for about half an hour. Nudity was everywhere, as though God had just created them all from the earth. Some men stood shamelessly naked. Others only exposed their hairy chests and covered their thighs with either a towel or their torn underwear.

"Tali was a bit too shy to expose himself completely. Why should he be so shy, when all around him beamed the same picture by the same artist with the same brush and black-paint. Indeed, an immaculate piece of work! Why should he feel inferior to these men -- these soldiers who were going to do the same things and eat the same food. No. No it's not a question of feeling inferior, he thought to himself. It's just that I have got to get used to things first, and only then can I relate to the situation I find myself. 'Yes, that's it! That is just it!' Tali said aloud as he walked back from the barracks."

--Copyright © Jim Baital (1949-?), from Tali, in Three Short Novels from Papua New Guinea, Edited by Mike Greicus, with Illustrations by Grava Aura, Auckland: Longman Paul, 1976, pp. 125.

Cardinals Advance + Rugby World Cup Update

 Chris Carpenter #29 of the St. Louis Cardinals
after final out (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

They did it again! The St. Louis Cardinals, behind last night's extraordinary 3-hit, 9-inning shutout by ace Chris Carpenter, defeated the Major League Baseball best-record holding Philadelphia Phillies, who'd won 102 games, to advance to the National League Championship Series! The Cardinals managed just six total hits and one run, in the first inning, on center-fielder Skip Schumaker's double that scored shortstop Rafael Furcal, who had tripled off the Phillies' leading pitcher, Roy Halladay, but that was enough. As he had on the regular season's final day, Carpenter returned to the form that won him a Cy Young Award back in 2005, striking out 3 and walking none. His final line was 9.0 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 runs batted in, 3 strikeouts, and 0 home runs. Halladay was nearly as good, allowing 6 hits in 8 innings while striking out 7. He finished the series at 1 win and 1 loss. Reliever Ross Madson did not allow a hit or run, and struck out 2.

One bizarre twist in the game came after the final at bat, when the Phillies lost slugger (and native St. Louisan) Ryan Howard to what appears to be an achilles heel injury. After hiting a weak grounder, he pulled up just feet from home plate, and had to be helped off the field.  The Cardinals will now face the Milwaukee Brewers, their midwestern rivals, whom they defeated in the 1982 World Series when the Brewers still were in the American League.  Matching up in that league's championship series are the Detroit Tigers, who have the best starter in either league, Justin Verlander, and whom the Cardinals faced and vanquished in the 2006 World Series (after having lost to them in the 1968 matchup), and the Texas Rangers, who have never won a World Series. I am hoping it will be the Cardinals vs. Detroit. (And please, DeWitt family, re-sign Albert Pujols!)

+++

The 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand is drawing to a close.  In the first round of match play, the top teams emerging were host New Zealand (4-0-0, W-T-L) and France (2-0-2), which edged Tonga (2-0-2) in Pool A; England (4-0-0) and Argentina (3-0-1) in Pool B; Ireland (4-0-0) and Australia (3-0-1) in Pool C; and South Africa (4-0-0) and Wales (3-0-1) in Pool D. The United States did not finish last in its pool, C, but in the penultimate position, winning 1 match and losing 3.  Some of the play has  resulted in players being banned for a game or two: England's Delon Armitage suffered this penalty because of his tackle in the match against France.

Now at the quarterfinal stage, Wales today defeated Ireland 22-10, and France topped England 22-19, with two more pairings set for tomorrow, South Africa against Australia, and New Zealand against Argentina. The semifinals will pit Wales against France on October 15, and the winner of the second two matches on October 16, with the 3rd place match to occur on October 21, and the championship on October 23.  I tip New Zealand's All Blacks to win it all, but South Africa and Australia are also very strong contenders. Here a few more photos from more recent matches. Enjoy!

France's Dmitri Yachvili tackles England's Manu Tuilagi

Wales' Dan Lydiate attempts to lay out Ireland's Stephen Ferris

Ireland's squad huddle before their match with Wales

South Africa's coach Peter de Villiers at practice

Wallabies stretching during practice

Ma'a Nonu meeting with schoolchildren

Prop Juan Figalio and Argentinian teammates in scrum

Wales' Bradley Davies latches onto Fiji
fullback Iliesa Lomani Rakuka Keresoni

Fiji's team performs the Cibi in front of Wales before their match

New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams slips past Canadians

Georgia's Georgi Chkaidze grapples with Argentina's Felipe Contepomi

Siaule Piutau passes the ball as France's Morgan Parra tackles him