A MAGNIFICENT DEFENSIVE display and a stirling performance from James Hook saw Wales overcome neighbours England 19-9 in Cardiff on Saturday afternoon.
The home side were hammered in the possession stakes and at set pieces almost throughout but went into the break level at 6-6 as Martin Johnson’s men failed to break through a resilient Welsh defensive line. In a very ordinary game of rugby, England were well beaten at the breakdown and failed to create anything out wide.
The turning point came well into the second half when Toby Faletau and captain for the day Sam Warburton set Shane Williams away and when the ball eventually reached the hands of James Hook, wearing the number 15 shirt, he was able to break a couple of poor tackles to get the game’s only try.
Hook added a conversation and two more penalties, including a long-range effort from distance right on the final whistle, to seal the win – sending the tens of thousands of supporters in red away happy.
South Africa’s miserable build up to the tournament in New Zealand continues. The World Champions were beaten 9-14 on home soil by Australia – though there were at least a couple of positives for coach Jean de Villiers to reflect on.
The Boks lead 6-0 at the break but a try from centre Pat McCabe got the Wallabies comeback underway early in the second half and powerful running from their back line provided to be the difference between the two sides as Butch James and James O’Connor traded penalties until the final whistle.
The result will be just the tonic for Australia, who bounce straight back from their defeat to New Zealand last weekend.
South Africa, however, are bottom of the Tri-Nations table and without a win to their name, though many of their stars did at least get some valuable game time in Durban. It gets no easier for them – New Zealand are in town next Saturday – and they will have to eliminate the many errors from their game if they are to have any hope against the All Blacks.
Ireland are in action against France later this evening – we’ll be covering the game through one of our Liveblogs.