Boks outmuscle Scots at Murrayfield
International Rugby Review:Ireland will remain seventh in the IRB world rankings after Scotland failed to get a result against South Africa in Edinburgh this afternoon. The homeside would have relegated Declan Kidney’s side to eighth had they beaten their guests but the Springboks won 21-10 at Murrayfield.
Ireland moved up one place to seventh last night when Samoa won 26-19 in Cardiff to push the Welsh back to eighth from sixth. Scotland were the only team that could reverse Ireland’s progress today, but it wasn’t to be as South Africa followed up their 16-12 win at the Aviva Stadium last week with a slightly improved performance today.
Scotland waited 50 minutes to find their attacking game but a bout of sustained pressure could not overturn an Adrian Strauss double.
The Scots could not cope with the physical approach of their opponents in the first half and Strauss went over after a maul as the Springboks took a 14-3 lead into the break.
The hooker intercepted Mike Blair’s to extend the lead early in the second half but a Henry Pyrgos try lifted Scotland, who missed a series of chances to add to their tally.
“We’ve got a lot to learn,” Scotland coach Andy Robinsonsaid on BBC1. “A lot to learn in improving defence and also in attack, particularly physically. I felt they bullied us a little in the first half.”
Robinson now wants to see a reaction to the result, and last week’s more punishing loss to New Zealand.
“Next week against Tonga we need a performance there to put together the lessons they’ve learned from the first two games. There’s a lot for us to look at. The disappointing thing from our side is we allowed a side to get a lead again and that’s something you can’t afford to do.”
Two tries from Vincent Clerc in the space of four minutes in the first half helped put Franceon the road to a 39-22 victory over Argentinain Lille.
The little left winger in the 17th and 21st minute to wipe out Marcelo Bosch’s opening try for Argentina after just four minutes. It brings his international tally to 34 tries and in to second place behind the great Serge Blanco.
France led 24-13 at the break and pushed out their advantage in the second half as outhalf Frederic Michalak made Argentina pay for some poor discipline by landing four penalties and a drop goal for a personal tally of 21 points.
Ahead of next Saturday's game against Ireland, Argentina also suffered another blow when winger Horacio Agulla left the pitch on a stretcher after suffering a neck injury when attempting a tackle.
