The Rugby World Cup 2023 is proving to be an absolute thrill ride, and the second weekend of action was no exception. From Irish records to Fiji’s historic win over Australia, and some mind-boggling hat-tricks, there’s been no shortage of excitement. Let’s dive into the seven standout moments that have the world buzzing.
1. Marler’s Head-Scratcher
In a match that had fans on the edge of their seats, England found themselves in a tight battle with Japan. With the score at 13-12 in favor of England after 56 minutes, they needed something extraordinary. And that’s when prop forward Joe Marler provided it, quite literally using his head.
George Ford’s pass took an unexpected detour, bouncing off Will Stuart’s back and landing squarely on Marler’s cranium. As everyone paused, expecting a knock-on call, England’s captain Courtney Lawes had other ideas. He scooped up the ball and crossed the try line unopposed.
The try was awarded, and England seized the moment, ultimately winning 34-12. As Lawes put it, “I saw it ricochet off Joe’s head, so I went to score the try just in case.” Sometimes, you’ve got to use your head – in more ways than one!
2. Fiji Shocks Australia
Sunday gave us a jaw-dropping result as Fiji pulled off a historic win against Australia, marking only their third victory against the Wallabies and the first in 69 years. This win blew Pool C wide open, and the Fijian team’s jubilation was palpable.
Simione Kuruvoli’s precise kicking and a crucial second-half try from Josua Tuisova were the keys to their 22-15 victory. Temo Mayanavanua summed it up perfectly: “It is the biggest moment in Fiji sport and Fiji as a whole.” It’s moments like these that remind us why we love sports – the underdogs triumphing against the odds.
3. Cobus Reinach’s Hat-Trick Extravaganza
South Africa’s Cobus Reinach put on a hat-trick clinic, scoring three tries in just 25 minutes during their game against Romania in Pool B. This wasn’t Reinach’s first rodeo, as he already held the record for the fastest hat-trick in World Cup history, achieved in a mind-boggling 20 minutes against Canada four years ago.
But Reinach wasn’t the only one in on the hat-trick action; Makazole Mapimpi also secured his own trio of tries, though he took a bit longer – 67 minutes to be precise. South Africa’s ruthlessness in their 76-0 victory was a statement of intent, setting up an exciting clash with Ireland.
Oh, and did we mention that Reinach was one of four scrum-halves on the field for South Africa during this one-sided affair? Talk about rotation!
4. Johnny Sexton’s Record-Breaking Night
Ireland continued their winning streak in the World Cup with a resounding victory over Tonga. However, the icing on the cake was Johnny Sexton’s remarkable achievement. The 38-year-old fly-half became Ireland’s all-time leading points scorer, surpassing Ronan O’Gara’s record.
Sexton notched up 1,090 points from 115 international appearances, a monumental feat. His 38th-minute try was the pivotal moment when he surpassed O’Gara’s tally. As he aptly put it, “It’s something when you retire you can look back on and be very proud.” We’re sure his little boy is already bragging to his friends about his record-breaking dad!
5. Portugal’s Inspiring Return
After a 16-year hiatus from the World Cup, Portugal made a triumphant return and captured hearts with their attacking flair against Wales. Despite not having a squad full of professionals, they managed to score a brilliant try in their 28-8 loss.
Captain Tomas Appleton summed up the moment perfectly: “We don’t play rugby professionally, so it’s such a big moment to stand here in front of so many fans.” This is what sports is all about – inspiring the next generation and showing that dreams can come true, even against the odds.
6. Samoa’s Blitz
Samoa didn’t get to kick off their World Cup campaign until the second weekend, but when they did, they made it count. Frustrated for much of the first half against Chile, Samoa unleashed a 10-minute blitz after the break, scoring three times on their way to a 43-10 bonus-point win.
This victory temporarily propelled them to the top of Pool D, and they’re eyeing their first quarter-final appearance since 1995. Samoa’s resurgence is a reminder that in rugby, and in life, never underestimate the power of a strong comeback.
The Rugby World Cup 2023 continues to deliver unforgettable moments and thrilling matches. With more action ahead, who knows what other surprises and spectacular plays are in store for us? One thing’s for sure: we can’t wait to find out!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rugby World Cup 2023
What were the standout moments from the second weekend of the Rugby World Cup 2023?
The second weekend of the Rugby World Cup 2023 featured several standout moments. England’s Joe Marler made an unconventional assist with his head, Fiji’s historic victory over Australia took center stage, South Africa’s Cobus Reinach scored a rapid hat-trick, Johnny Sexton became Ireland’s record points scorer, Portugal made an inspiring return, and Samoa staged a remarkable comeback with a 10-minute blitz. These moments added excitement and drama to the tournament.
Who provided the unexpected assist for England in their match against Japan?
In the match against Japan, England received an unexpected assist from their prop forward, Joe Marler. A pass from George Ford deflected off another player and landed on Marler’s head, resulting in a bizarre but legal assist that led to a crucial try for England.
How significant was Fiji’s win over Australia?
Fiji’s victory over Australia was highly significant as it marked their third win against the Wallabies and their first in 69 years. This unexpected triumph not only shook up Pool C but also became a historic moment for Fijian sports and the entire country. It showcased the power of determination and resilience in the face of historical odds.
What record did Johnny Sexton achieve during the World Cup?
During the World Cup, Johnny Sexton achieved the remarkable feat of becoming Ireland’s all-time leading points scorer. He surpassed the previous record held by Ronan O’Gara, amassing a total of 1,090 points from his 115 international appearances. Sexton’s record-breaking moment was punctuated by a try that solidified his place in Irish rugby history.
How did Portugal make an impression in their return to the World Cup?
Portugal made a strong impression in their return to the World Cup after a 16-year absence. Despite not having a squad filled with professional players, they showcased their attacking flair and managed to score a brilliant try in their match against Wales. Their inspiring performance aimed to motivate the younger generation to take up rugby in Portugal.
What was Samoa’s performance like in their opening World Cup match?
In their opening World Cup match, Samoa had a mixed performance. They struggled in the first half against Chile, falling behind twice against the debutants. However, in a remarkable turnaround, they unleashed a 10-minute blitz after halftime, scoring three times and securing a bonus-point win. This victory temporarily placed them at the top of Pool D and rekindled hopes of reaching their first quarter-final since 1995.
More about Rugby World Cup 2023
- Rugby World Cup 2023 Official Website: The official source for news, updates, and information about the Rugby World Cup 2023.
- BBC Sport Rugby: BBC Sport’s dedicated rugby section, offering in-depth coverage and analysis of Rugby World Cup matches.
- Joe Marler’s Unconventional Assist: Read more about Joe Marler’s unconventional assist during the England vs. Japan match.
- Fiji’s Historic Win Over Australia: ESPN’s coverage of Fiji’s historic victory against Australia in the Rugby World Cup.
- Cobus Reinach’s Hat-Trick: Details on Cobus Reinach’s hat-trick and South Africa’s performance in the World Cup.
- Johnny Sexton’s Record-Breaking Moment: Learn more about Johnny Sexton’s record-breaking achievement during the World Cup.
- Portugal’s Return to the World Cup: BBC’s coverage of Portugal’s return to the Rugby World Cup after a 16-year absence.
- Samoa’s Comeback Against Chile: Details on Samoa’s comeback win against Chile in the World Cup.
5 comments
samoa’s comback was insan, they rly showed their strenght!
wow, what a crazy weekend for rugbuy, Fiji beat Aus, joe Marler’s head thing, and Johnny Sexton breaking recrds!
Wish there was more tech stuff in rugby, tho, gadgets and all, but still a gr8 read!
Marler’s head-pass was hilarious, but Fiji’s win was amzing, and Sexton’s a legnd, right?
love the article, it captures the excitemnt of the weekend perfectly, gr8 job!