- Awards
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Japan 30-10 Russia: Hosts win opening match at Rugby World Cup
2019 Rugby World Cup: Japan v Russia
Japan: (12) 30
Tries: Matsushima 3, Labuschagne; Pens: Tamura 2 Cons: Tamura, Matsuda
Russia: (7) 10
Tries: Golosnitsky Pens: Kushnarev Cons: Kushnarev
Wing Kotaro Matsushima scored a hat-trick as hosts Japan got their World Cup campaign under way with a 30-10 victory against Russia.
Russia took an early lead through wing Kirill Golosnitskiy, but Matsushima replied for the hosts.
He grabbed his second to put Japan ahead just before half-time and Pieter Labuschagne broke away to add another after the break.
Matsushima then ran through to claim a four-try bonus point for his side.
Japan, in Pool A with Scotland, Ireland and Samoa, are aiming to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
The opening ceremony mixed the traditional with the modern and delighted the fans
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said before the tournament that "rugby mania" was going to captivate the nation and Japan's comeback in front of a vociferous crowd gave the tournament an early boost.
In Shibuya, home to Tokyo's famous crossing, there is only an occasional sign that a World Cup is taking place just an hour away.
But travelling to the stadium, the train filled with more and more Japan shirts while every metro stop and the nearest station to the venue was awash with red and white.
Once inside the near 50,000 capacity venue, supporters watched an opening ceremony like no other in rugby - reflecting the World Cup's first visit to Asia - and cheered it on enthusiastically at every stage.
In 2015, Japan were the first team in history to win three World Cup games and miss out on the quarter-finals and coach Jamie Joseph has made it clear that their objective is to make it out of the pool stages this time around.
But they will be competing with Ireland, Scotland and Samoa for one of the top two spots in Pool A to achieve that goal and there will be no room for any more nervous starts.
The Tokyo Stadium was awash with the red and white hooped shirts of Japan fans
There was no shortage of noise from Japanese fans, but it was an error-ridden first 10 minutes for the Brave Blossoms, some of whom had admitted that the increased media presence at their captain's run on Thursday made them nervous.
Perhaps as a result of these nerves, full-back William Tupou dropped an up and under kick and Russia wing Golosnitskiy scooped it up to score after just five minutes.
The hosts quickly regrouped, though, and centre Timothy Lafaele threw a shrewd backhand pass to Tupou, who sent Matsushima through for a try on the right wing.
Russia repeatedly tested Japan with probing kicks - and it was a test which the hosts frequently failed, something Scotland and Ireland may exploit later on.
Matsushima looked to have lifted Tokyo's spirits as he flipped onto his back and just managed to get the ball down across the tryline before going into touch. The wing did not have control of the ball as it touched the ground and no try was given, but that did not slow him down.
He had no trouble a few minutes later as centre Ryoto Nakamura's pass found him with much more space to run round Russia captain Vasily Artemyev and give his side the lead before half-time.
And Russia's lack of fitness cost them after the break as Japan made use of their speed.
Labuschagne extended Japan's lead early in the second half as Japan's fitness told
Tamura extended Japan's advantage with a penalty before Labuschagne ripped the ball out of Andrei Ostrikov's hands and showed impressive pace by covering half the pitch to score his first international try.
Russia clawed back some points with a Yury Kushnarev penalty, but Japan again responded through Tamura, opting for a greater lead rather than going for a four-try bonus point.
The fourth try soon followed, though, as Vasily Artemyev's clearing kick went wrong and the ball ended up in the arms of Matsushima once again, allowing the wing to speed past Russian defenders for his hat-trick.
Japan's next match will be against Ireland on 28 September, while Russia face Samoa on 24 September.
Player of the match - Matsushima
Matsushima would have had a first half hat-trick of tries but this effort was ruled out
With 102 metres run and seven defenders beaten, pacy wing Matsushima put in a promising player-of-the-match performance with his hat-trick heroics in Tokyo.
'We want to show Japan that we can play - what they said
Japan captain Michael Leitch told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm happy and a win is a win. We knew it was not going to be easy and it took an 80-minute effort. It was exactly how we imagined it would be. We knew they would be passionate, physical and brave and they showed all three.
"We missed the first kick-off and they scored but we regrouped and got ourselves back in the right direction. We are up against Ireland next week and it's going to be another tough match.
"With what we did in 2015, the memory is still strong with the Japanese public. To have a World Cup on home soil is a great opportunity to inspire the public. We will have another full ground next week and we need to take these opportunities to show Japan that we can play."
Russia captain Vasily Artemyev: "You could see throughout the game we stuck to our game plan. A few penalties and a couple of missed opportunities, those are the things that made the difference in the end.
"Everyone could see we were playing at the same intensity as Japan. We were pushing them to the edges and we were getting some dividends.
"It was a huge effort from our players but I congratulate Japan on their performance."
Analysis
2003 World Cup winner Matt Dawson on BBC Radio 5 Live
It has been a great start to the tournament. The opening ceremony went fantastically well. Japan will review the game and could have scored more points but the result was right.
We have seen the strength of the tournament. You over-perform at a World Cup and become superhuman and some of those Russians put their bodies on the line.
Teams
Japan: Tupou; Matsushima, Lafaele, Nakamura, Lemeki; Tamura, Nagare; Inagaki, Horie, Valu; Van der Walt, Moore; Leitch, Labuschagne, Himeno.
Replacements: Sakate, Nakajima, Ji-won, Thompson, Tui, Tanaka, Matsuda, Yamanaka
Russia: Artemyev; Davydov, Ostroushko, Gerasimov, Golosnitskiy; Kushnarev, Dorofeev; Morozov, Selskii, Gotovtsev, Ostrikov, Fedotko, Zhivatov, Gadzhiev, Vavilin
Replacements: Matveev, Polivalov, Bitiev, Garbuzov, Sychev, Perov, Gaisin, Sozonov
Swami
2019 Rugby World Cup: Japan v Russia
Japan: (12) 30
Tries: Matsushima 3, Labuschagne; Pens: Tamura 2 Cons: Tamura, Matsuda
Russia: (7) 10
Tries: Golosnitsky Pens: Kushnarev Cons: Kushnarev
Wing Kotaro Matsushima scored a hat-trick as hosts Japan got their World Cup campaign under way with a 30-10 victory against Russia.
Russia took an early lead through wing Kirill Golosnitskiy, but Matsushima replied for the hosts.
He grabbed his second to put Japan ahead just before half-time and Pieter Labuschagne broke away to add another after the break.
Matsushima then ran through to claim a four-try bonus point for his side.
Japan, in Pool A with Scotland, Ireland and Samoa, are aiming to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
- Relive the match as it happened
- Pick your all-time World Cup XV
- What's it like to play rugby in Japan?
The opening ceremony mixed the traditional with the modern and delighted the fans
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said before the tournament that "rugby mania" was going to captivate the nation and Japan's comeback in front of a vociferous crowd gave the tournament an early boost.
In Shibuya, home to Tokyo's famous crossing, there is only an occasional sign that a World Cup is taking place just an hour away.
But travelling to the stadium, the train filled with more and more Japan shirts while every metro stop and the nearest station to the venue was awash with red and white.
Once inside the near 50,000 capacity venue, supporters watched an opening ceremony like no other in rugby - reflecting the World Cup's first visit to Asia - and cheered it on enthusiastically at every stage.
In 2015, Japan were the first team in history to win three World Cup games and miss out on the quarter-finals and coach Jamie Joseph has made it clear that their objective is to make it out of the pool stages this time around.
But they will be competing with Ireland, Scotland and Samoa for one of the top two spots in Pool A to achieve that goal and there will be no room for any more nervous starts.
The Tokyo Stadium was awash with the red and white hooped shirts of Japan fans
- England in top trio of contenders - Dawson
- Is the All Blacks' dominance coming to an end?
- Fixtures, results and pools
There was no shortage of noise from Japanese fans, but it was an error-ridden first 10 minutes for the Brave Blossoms, some of whom had admitted that the increased media presence at their captain's run on Thursday made them nervous.
Perhaps as a result of these nerves, full-back William Tupou dropped an up and under kick and Russia wing Golosnitskiy scooped it up to score after just five minutes.
The hosts quickly regrouped, though, and centre Timothy Lafaele threw a shrewd backhand pass to Tupou, who sent Matsushima through for a try on the right wing.
Russia repeatedly tested Japan with probing kicks - and it was a test which the hosts frequently failed, something Scotland and Ireland may exploit later on.
Matsushima looked to have lifted Tokyo's spirits as he flipped onto his back and just managed to get the ball down across the tryline before going into touch. The wing did not have control of the ball as it touched the ground and no try was given, but that did not slow him down.
He had no trouble a few minutes later as centre Ryoto Nakamura's pass found him with much more space to run round Russia captain Vasily Artemyev and give his side the lead before half-time.
And Russia's lack of fitness cost them after the break as Japan made use of their speed.
Labuschagne extended Japan's lead early in the second half as Japan's fitness told
Tamura extended Japan's advantage with a penalty before Labuschagne ripped the ball out of Andrei Ostrikov's hands and showed impressive pace by covering half the pitch to score his first international try.
Russia clawed back some points with a Yury Kushnarev penalty, but Japan again responded through Tamura, opting for a greater lead rather than going for a four-try bonus point.
The fourth try soon followed, though, as Vasily Artemyev's clearing kick went wrong and the ball ended up in the arms of Matsushima once again, allowing the wing to speed past Russian defenders for his hat-trick.
Japan's next match will be against Ireland on 28 September, while Russia face Samoa on 24 September.
Player of the match - Matsushima
Matsushima would have had a first half hat-trick of tries but this effort was ruled out
With 102 metres run and seven defenders beaten, pacy wing Matsushima put in a promising player-of-the-match performance with his hat-trick heroics in Tokyo.
'We want to show Japan that we can play - what they said
Japan captain Michael Leitch told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm happy and a win is a win. We knew it was not going to be easy and it took an 80-minute effort. It was exactly how we imagined it would be. We knew they would be passionate, physical and brave and they showed all three.
"We missed the first kick-off and they scored but we regrouped and got ourselves back in the right direction. We are up against Ireland next week and it's going to be another tough match.
"With what we did in 2015, the memory is still strong with the Japanese public. To have a World Cup on home soil is a great opportunity to inspire the public. We will have another full ground next week and we need to take these opportunities to show Japan that we can play."
Russia captain Vasily Artemyev: "You could see throughout the game we stuck to our game plan. A few penalties and a couple of missed opportunities, those are the things that made the difference in the end.
"Everyone could see we were playing at the same intensity as Japan. We were pushing them to the edges and we were getting some dividends.
"It was a huge effort from our players but I congratulate Japan on their performance."
Analysis
2003 World Cup winner Matt Dawson on BBC Radio 5 Live
It has been a great start to the tournament. The opening ceremony went fantastically well. Japan will review the game and could have scored more points but the result was right.
We have seen the strength of the tournament. You over-perform at a World Cup and become superhuman and some of those Russians put their bodies on the line.
Teams
Japan: Tupou; Matsushima, Lafaele, Nakamura, Lemeki; Tamura, Nagare; Inagaki, Horie, Valu; Van der Walt, Moore; Leitch, Labuschagne, Himeno.
Replacements: Sakate, Nakajima, Ji-won, Thompson, Tui, Tanaka, Matsuda, Yamanaka
Russia: Artemyev; Davydov, Ostroushko, Gerasimov, Golosnitskiy; Kushnarev, Dorofeev; Morozov, Selskii, Gotovtsev, Ostrikov, Fedotko, Zhivatov, Gadzhiev, Vavilin
Replacements: Matveev, Polivalov, Bitiev, Garbuzov, Sychev, Perov, Gaisin, Sozonov
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Australia 39-21 Fiji: Wallabies fight back to win opening World Cup match
By Tim Oscroft
Silatolu Latu, on the ground, scored his first tries in his 16th Test
2019 Rugby World Cup: Australia v Fiji
Australia: (12) 39
Tries: Hooper, Hodge, Latu (2), Kerevi, Koroibete Pens: Hodge Cons: Lealiifano, Tommua (2)
Fiji: (14) 21
Tries: Yato, Nayacalevu Pens: Volavola (3) Cons: Volavola
Australia ran in four second-half tries as they fought back to beat Fiji in their opening 2019 World Cup match.
The 2015 finalists were trailing until halfway into the second half before hooker Silatolu Latu went over for two tries inside five minutes.
Peceli Yato's try gave Fiji an early 8-0 lead, and a shock looked possible when Waisea Nayacalevu scored under the posts early in the second half.
But Australia roared back to end fears of a first loss to Fiji since 1954.
The Wallabies' next outing in Group D is on Sunday, 29 September, when they face Wales in Tokyo.
Yato was outstanding, but was forced off after only 25 minutes with a head injury following a collision with Australia winger Reece Hodge.
Australia had looked to be finding their feet when Michael Hooper crossed for a try following Yato's opener, and after Hodge scored in the corner the teams went into half-time with Fiji leading 14-12.
But when Nayacalevu latched onto a loose pass on the halfway line to sprint home just three minutes into the second half, a shock Fiji win was a distinct possibility.
However, Latu's first international tries, both scored from line-outs, settled Australia nerves before Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete put the two-time World Cup winners comfortably clear.
With many under the roof at the Sapporo Dome supporting Australia, the atmosphere was subdued for much of the match. England will open their World Cup campaign just over a day later at the same venue when they face Tonga on a pitch that is rolled into the stadium.
Australia were loose at times during the frenetic opening phase, when Fiji were also able to take advantage of Australia's mistakes through the boot of Ben Volavola, who landed three first-half penalties.
And that sloppiness as Australia tried to attack led to Nayacalevu's breakaway score, but the Wallabies regrouped impressively and two controlled drives from line-outs allowed Latu to put his side ahead.
Australia took a firm grip on the rest of the match, but Wales, who open their campaign against Georgia on Monday, will have seen plenty to interest them before the match in Tokyo.
Fiji can have hope for future
Having led 21-12 early in the second half, Fiji are certain to look back on this as an opportunity missed.
They started furiously, but ran out of steam and could not find an answer following Latu's one-two punch.
They were also hampered by the loss of Yato, and will be hoping the Clermont forward will be available again in the tournament.
It's only a short turnaround until they face Uruguay on Wednesday and then Georgia on 3 October but Fiji have the talent to win those matches and set up a potential quarter-final showdown against Wales in their last Group D game six days later.
Man of the match - Marika Koroibete (Australia)
A threat throughout, left wing Koroibete covered 128 metres with the ball in hand and played in key role in helping his side overturn the deficit.
'You can't win Tests with a good 60 minutes' - what they said
Australia coach Michael Cheika: "We're not looking for perfection, It never happens in this game. We got tested.
"I think they got us a bit on the hop early on. They came out with some real aggression and we didn't get into our rhythm or flow.
"Once we got back to basics it was a good contest. We were prepared for a strong contest and knowing that we would try and get ahead in the last 20 minutes. We know how good the Fijians are."
Fiji coach John McKee: "Certainly we take a lot of positives from that game, we had Australia on the rails for 40 minutes and a portion of the second half.
"Some things went against us, penalties, the yellow card, we have got to close games out. You don't win Test matches by being able to play really well for 60 minutes.
"Losing Peceli Yato early in the game when he was having such an impact was a big loss for us."
Stats
Australia: Beale; Hodge, O'Connor, Kerevi, Koroibete; Lealiifano, White; Sio, Latu, Alaalatoa, Rodda, Arnold, Pocock, Hooper (c), Naisarani.
Replacements: Uelese, Slipper, Kepu, Coleman, Salakaia-Loto, Genia, To'omua, Haylett-Petty
Fiji: Murimurivalu; Tuisova, Nayacalevu, Botia, Radradra; Volavola, Lomani; Ma'afu, Matavesi, Ravai, Cavubati, Nakarawa, Waqaniburotu (c), Yato, Mata,
Replacements: Vugakoto, Mawi, Saulo, Ratuva, Voka, Matawalu, Veitokani, Goneva
Swami
By Tim Oscroft
Silatolu Latu, on the ground, scored his first tries in his 16th Test
2019 Rugby World Cup: Australia v Fiji
Australia: (12) 39
Tries: Hooper, Hodge, Latu (2), Kerevi, Koroibete Pens: Hodge Cons: Lealiifano, Tommua (2)
Fiji: (14) 21
Tries: Yato, Nayacalevu Pens: Volavola (3) Cons: Volavola
Australia ran in four second-half tries as they fought back to beat Fiji in their opening 2019 World Cup match.
The 2015 finalists were trailing until halfway into the second half before hooker Silatolu Latu went over for two tries inside five minutes.
Peceli Yato's try gave Fiji an early 8-0 lead, and a shock looked possible when Waisea Nayacalevu scored under the posts early in the second half.
But Australia roared back to end fears of a first loss to Fiji since 1954.
The Wallabies' next outing in Group D is on Sunday, 29 September, when they face Wales in Tokyo.
Yato was outstanding, but was forced off after only 25 minutes with a head injury following a collision with Australia winger Reece Hodge.
Australia had looked to be finding their feet when Michael Hooper crossed for a try following Yato's opener, and after Hodge scored in the corner the teams went into half-time with Fiji leading 14-12.
But when Nayacalevu latched onto a loose pass on the halfway line to sprint home just three minutes into the second half, a shock Fiji win was a distinct possibility.
However, Latu's first international tries, both scored from line-outs, settled Australia nerves before Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete put the two-time World Cup winners comfortably clear.
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- World Cup tables
With many under the roof at the Sapporo Dome supporting Australia, the atmosphere was subdued for much of the match. England will open their World Cup campaign just over a day later at the same venue when they face Tonga on a pitch that is rolled into the stadium.
Australia were loose at times during the frenetic opening phase, when Fiji were also able to take advantage of Australia's mistakes through the boot of Ben Volavola, who landed three first-half penalties.
And that sloppiness as Australia tried to attack led to Nayacalevu's breakaway score, but the Wallabies regrouped impressively and two controlled drives from line-outs allowed Latu to put his side ahead.
Australia took a firm grip on the rest of the match, but Wales, who open their campaign against Georgia on Monday, will have seen plenty to interest them before the match in Tokyo.
Fiji can have hope for future
Having led 21-12 early in the second half, Fiji are certain to look back on this as an opportunity missed.
They started furiously, but ran out of steam and could not find an answer following Latu's one-two punch.
They were also hampered by the loss of Yato, and will be hoping the Clermont forward will be available again in the tournament.
It's only a short turnaround until they face Uruguay on Wednesday and then Georgia on 3 October but Fiji have the talent to win those matches and set up a potential quarter-final showdown against Wales in their last Group D game six days later.
Man of the match - Marika Koroibete (Australia)
A threat throughout, left wing Koroibete covered 128 metres with the ball in hand and played in key role in helping his side overturn the deficit.
'You can't win Tests with a good 60 minutes' - what they said
Australia coach Michael Cheika: "We're not looking for perfection, It never happens in this game. We got tested.
"I think they got us a bit on the hop early on. They came out with some real aggression and we didn't get into our rhythm or flow.
"Once we got back to basics it was a good contest. We were prepared for a strong contest and knowing that we would try and get ahead in the last 20 minutes. We know how good the Fijians are."
Fiji coach John McKee: "Certainly we take a lot of positives from that game, we had Australia on the rails for 40 minutes and a portion of the second half.
"Some things went against us, penalties, the yellow card, we have got to close games out. You don't win Test matches by being able to play really well for 60 minutes.
"Losing Peceli Yato early in the game when he was having such an impact was a big loss for us."
Stats
- Australia are unbeaten in their past 18 games against Fiji (W17, D1); their last defeat coming in June 1954 when Fiji won 18-16.
- Michael Hooper has won 96 caps for the Wallabies, no other player in Test rugby has won as many before turning 28 - the Wallabies back row has missed just eight games for Australia since his debut in 2012.
- Australia had lost their most recent Rugby World Cup fixture - the 2015 final - and have avoided back-to-back defeats at the event for the first time since the 1987 tournament in which they were defeated in succession by France and Wales.
Australia: Beale; Hodge, O'Connor, Kerevi, Koroibete; Lealiifano, White; Sio, Latu, Alaalatoa, Rodda, Arnold, Pocock, Hooper (c), Naisarani.
Replacements: Uelese, Slipper, Kepu, Coleman, Salakaia-Loto, Genia, To'omua, Haylett-Petty
Fiji: Murimurivalu; Tuisova, Nayacalevu, Botia, Radradra; Volavola, Lomani; Ma'afu, Matavesi, Ravai, Cavubati, Nakarawa, Waqaniburotu (c), Yato, Mata,
Replacements: Vugakoto, Mawi, Saulo, Ratuva, Voka, Matawalu, Veitokani, Goneva
Swami
- Awards
- 3
France 23-21 Argentina: Camille Lopez drop-goal denies Pumas in Tokyo thriller
Centre Gael Fickou scored his eighth international try to put France 5-3 ahead
2019 Rugby World Cup: France v Argentina
France: (20) 23
Tries: Fickou, Dupont Pens: Ntamack (2) Cons: Ntamack (2) DG: Lopez
Argentina: (3) 21
Tries: Petti, Montoya Pens: Sanchez, Urdapilleta (2) Cons: Sanchez
France held off a second-half comeback by Argentina to win a gripping World Cup match in Tokyo.
The Pumas overturned a 20-3 half-time deficit to take a 21-20 lead until Camille Lopez's drop-goal put France ahead again in the Pool C encounter.
Tries from Gael Fickou and Antoine Dupont gave France the advantage.
Guido Petti and Julian Montoya crossed for the Pumas and Benjamin Urdapilleta's penalty put them ahead before replacement Lopez struck.
The Pumas, who had lost their previous nine internationals, had another the chance to win it late on, but Emiliano Boffelli's long-range penalty drifted just wide.
England start their Pool C campaign on Sunday against Tonga, who are Argentina's next opponents on Saturday, 28 September. France resume when they take on the United States on Wednesday, 2 October.
France looked close to their best in the first half, and there was no indication of the drama to come after the resumption.
Romain Ntamack was assured at fly-half, and winger Damian Penaud went past his opponent seven times - more than any other player - in the first 40 minutes.
But Petti's try early in the second half rattled the French before Montoya's close-range effort and an Urdapilleta penalty reduced their lead to just two points.
However, they gathered themselves after Urdapilleta's second penalty put Argentina one point ahead, a lead that only lasted around a minute before Lopez's left-footed drop-goal.
The second half dip will alarm coach Jacques Brunel, but he can take heart that his team had enough to prevent what would have been the biggest second-half comeback in Rugby World Cup history.
More tests to come for Pumas
Argentina gave the perfect response to their below-par first half when Petti drove over from a line-out just two minutes into the second period.
And when Montoya, himself only on the pitch for three minutes as a replacement for Agustin Creevy, executed a line-out move to earn five more points, hopes of a superb comeback were high.
Boffelli's late miss meant the Pumas went down to their 10th straight Test defeat, and they must end that barren run when they face Tonga in Osaka.
And even if they can win that testing encounter, this defeat also puts their meeting with England on Saturday, 5 October into the must-win category.
But their spirited performance in the second half gives coach Mario Ledesma hope of making the quarter-finals if they can carry their form into the rest of their Pool C matches.
Man of the match - Damian Penaud (France)
The 22-year-old Clermont winger was a consistent threat, carrying 67 metres and laying on an assist
Stats
France: Medard; Penaud, Fickou, Vakatawa, Huget; Ntamack, Dupont; Poirot, Guirado, Slimani, Iturria, Vahaamahina, Lauret, Ollivon, Alldritt
Replacements: Chat, Baille, Bamba, Le Roux, Picamoles, Machenaud, Lopez, Ramos
Argentina: Boffelli; Moroni, Orlando, De la Fuente, Moyano; Sanchez, Cubelli; Tetaz Chaparro, Creevy, Figallo, Petti, Lavanini, Matera (c), Kremer, Ortega Desio,
Replacements: Montoya, Vivas, Medrano, Alemanno, Lezana, Ezcurra, Urdapilleta, Carreras
Swami
Centre Gael Fickou scored his eighth international try to put France 5-3 ahead
2019 Rugby World Cup: France v Argentina
France: (20) 23
Tries: Fickou, Dupont Pens: Ntamack (2) Cons: Ntamack (2) DG: Lopez
Argentina: (3) 21
Tries: Petti, Montoya Pens: Sanchez, Urdapilleta (2) Cons: Sanchez
France held off a second-half comeback by Argentina to win a gripping World Cup match in Tokyo.
The Pumas overturned a 20-3 half-time deficit to take a 21-20 lead until Camille Lopez's drop-goal put France ahead again in the Pool C encounter.
Tries from Gael Fickou and Antoine Dupont gave France the advantage.
Guido Petti and Julian Montoya crossed for the Pumas and Benjamin Urdapilleta's penalty put them ahead before replacement Lopez struck.
The Pumas, who had lost their previous nine internationals, had another the chance to win it late on, but Emiliano Boffelli's long-range penalty drifted just wide.
England start their Pool C campaign on Sunday against Tonga, who are Argentina's next opponents on Saturday, 28 September. France resume when they take on the United States on Wednesday, 2 October.
- Relive the match as it happened
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France looked close to their best in the first half, and there was no indication of the drama to come after the resumption.
Romain Ntamack was assured at fly-half, and winger Damian Penaud went past his opponent seven times - more than any other player - in the first 40 minutes.
But Petti's try early in the second half rattled the French before Montoya's close-range effort and an Urdapilleta penalty reduced their lead to just two points.
However, they gathered themselves after Urdapilleta's second penalty put Argentina one point ahead, a lead that only lasted around a minute before Lopez's left-footed drop-goal.
The second half dip will alarm coach Jacques Brunel, but he can take heart that his team had enough to prevent what would have been the biggest second-half comeback in Rugby World Cup history.
More tests to come for Pumas
Argentina gave the perfect response to their below-par first half when Petti drove over from a line-out just two minutes into the second period.
And when Montoya, himself only on the pitch for three minutes as a replacement for Agustin Creevy, executed a line-out move to earn five more points, hopes of a superb comeback were high.
Boffelli's late miss meant the Pumas went down to their 10th straight Test defeat, and they must end that barren run when they face Tonga in Osaka.
And even if they can win that testing encounter, this defeat also puts their meeting with England on Saturday, 5 October into the must-win category.
But their spirited performance in the second half gives coach Mario Ledesma hope of making the quarter-finals if they can carry their form into the rest of their Pool C matches.
Man of the match - Damian Penaud (France)
The 22-year-old Clermont winger was a consistent threat, carrying 67 metres and laying on an assist
Stats
- Argentina have lost their last 10 Test matches in succession; however, five of the past six matches in that span have been decided by six points or fewer.
- France have won their opening game in eight of their previous nine Rugby World Cup campaigns; a 17-12 loss to Argentina in 2007 their only blemish in that period.
- The biggest half-time comeback in Rugby World Cup history is 13 points - Argentina winning against Samoa in 1999 after trailing 16-3 at the break.
France: Medard; Penaud, Fickou, Vakatawa, Huget; Ntamack, Dupont; Poirot, Guirado, Slimani, Iturria, Vahaamahina, Lauret, Ollivon, Alldritt
Replacements: Chat, Baille, Bamba, Le Roux, Picamoles, Machenaud, Lopez, Ramos
Argentina: Boffelli; Moroni, Orlando, De la Fuente, Moyano; Sanchez, Cubelli; Tetaz Chaparro, Creevy, Figallo, Petti, Lavanini, Matera (c), Kremer, Ortega Desio,
Replacements: Montoya, Vivas, Medrano, Alemanno, Lezana, Ezcurra, Urdapilleta, Carreras
Swami
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New Zealand 23-13 South Africa: Defending champions hold off spirited Springboks
Beauden Barrett had a hand in both New Zealand tries
2019 Rugby World Cup: New Zealand v South Africa
New Zealand: 17 (23)
Tries: Bridge, Barrett Pens: Mo'unga 2, Barrett Cons: Mo'unga 2
South Africa: 3 (13)
Tries: Du Toit Pens: Pollard Cons: Pollard DG: Pollard
Defending champions New Zealand produced a clinical display to hold off a spirited South Africa in their World Cup Pool B opener in Yokohama.
The Springboks started brightly and took the lead with a Handre Pollard penalty before the All Blacks hit back.
Richie Mo'unga drew New Zealand level and two quick tries by George Bridge and Scott Barrett put them in front.
Pieter-Steph du Toit's try and a Pollard drop-goal made it tense before Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett penalties.
The result means New Zealand extend their winning run to 15 games in the competition, last losing to France in the 2007 quarter-finals.
South Africa play Namibia next on Saturday, 28 September (10:45 BST), while the All Blacks face Canada on 2 October (11:15).
More to follow.
Teams
New Zealand: B Barrett; Reece, Lienert-Brown, Crotty, Bridge; Mo'unga, Smith; Moody, Coles, Laulala, Whitelock, S Barrett, Savea, Cane, Read (c).
Replacements: Taylor, Tu'ungafasi, Ta'avao, Tuipulotu, Frizell, Perenara, Williams, Smith.
South Africa: Le Roux; Kolbe, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Marx, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (c), Du Toit, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Mbonambi, Mtawarira, Nyakane, Snyman, Louw, H Jantjies, Steyn, Kriel.
Swami
Beauden Barrett had a hand in both New Zealand tries
2019 Rugby World Cup: New Zealand v South Africa
New Zealand: 17 (23)
Tries: Bridge, Barrett Pens: Mo'unga 2, Barrett Cons: Mo'unga 2
South Africa: 3 (13)
Tries: Du Toit Pens: Pollard Cons: Pollard DG: Pollard
Defending champions New Zealand produced a clinical display to hold off a spirited South Africa in their World Cup Pool B opener in Yokohama.
The Springboks started brightly and took the lead with a Handre Pollard penalty before the All Blacks hit back.
Richie Mo'unga drew New Zealand level and two quick tries by George Bridge and Scott Barrett put them in front.
Pieter-Steph du Toit's try and a Pollard drop-goal made it tense before Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett penalties.
The result means New Zealand extend their winning run to 15 games in the competition, last losing to France in the 2007 quarter-finals.
South Africa play Namibia next on Saturday, 28 September (10:45 BST), while the All Blacks face Canada on 2 October (11:15).
More to follow.
Teams
New Zealand: B Barrett; Reece, Lienert-Brown, Crotty, Bridge; Mo'unga, Smith; Moody, Coles, Laulala, Whitelock, S Barrett, Savea, Cane, Read (c).
Replacements: Taylor, Tu'ungafasi, Ta'avao, Tuipulotu, Frizell, Perenara, Williams, Smith.
South Africa: Le Roux; Kolbe, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Marx, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (c), Du Toit, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Mbonambi, Mtawarira, Nyakane, Snyman, Louw, H Jantjies, Steyn, Kriel.
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Italy 47-22 Namibia: Azzurri open World Cup campaign with victory
Italy fly-half Tommaso Allan scored one try and kicked three conversions
2019 Rugby World Cup: Italy v Namibia
Italy: (21) 47
Tries: Penalty, Allan, Tebaldi, Padovani, Canna, Polledri, Minozzi Cons: Allan 3, Canna 2
Namibia: (7) 22
Tries: Stevens, Greyling, Plato Pens: Loubser Cons: Loubser 2
Italy began their World Cup Pool B campaign with a bonus-point victory over Namibia in changing weather conditions in Osaka.
The Namibian part-timers took an early lead through Damian Stevens before the Azzurri drew level with a penalty try.
Italy then took control with tries from Tommaso Allan and Tito Tebaldi.
Edoardo Padovani, Carlo Canna, Jake Polledri, Matteo Minozzi scored after the break, while JC Greyling and Chad Plato scored consolations for Namibia.
Italy captain Sergio Parisse, 36, became only the third man to play in five World Cups, matching the totals of compatriot Mauro Bergamasco and Samoa's Brian Lima, and his 141st international cap also drew him level with former Ireland and British Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll in second place on the all-time list.
"The important thing was to win and take the five points," Parisse said.
"Big congratulations to Namibia as well because they never gave up. They kept playing to the end."
The only negative for the Azzurri was when Tiziano Pasquiale was stretchered off before the break.
Play was briefly paused while the prop received medical attention for what appeared to be a neck injury.
Italy are next in action against Canada on Thursday, 26 September (08:45 BST), while Namibia face neighbours South Africa on Saturday, 28 September (10:45).
Defending champions New Zealand, who beat South Africa on Saturday, are the other team in the group.
Teams
Italy: Hayward, Bellini, Benvenuti, Morisi, Padovani; Allan, Tebaldi; Quaglio, Bigi, Pasquali, Zanni, Ruzza, Steyn, Mbanda, Parisse.
Replacements: Fabiani, Ferrari, Riccioni, Budd, Polledri, Palazzani, Canna, Minozzi.
Namibia: Tromp, Plato, Newman, De la Harpe, Greyling; Loubser, Stevens; Rademeyer, Van Jaarsveld, Coetzee, Van Lill, Uanivi, Kitshoff, Conradie, Venter.
Replacements: Van der Westhuizen, De Klerk, Theron, Retief, Katjijeko, Walters, Jantjies, Kisting.
Swami
Italy fly-half Tommaso Allan scored one try and kicked three conversions
2019 Rugby World Cup: Italy v Namibia
Italy: (21) 47
Tries: Penalty, Allan, Tebaldi, Padovani, Canna, Polledri, Minozzi Cons: Allan 3, Canna 2
Namibia: (7) 22
Tries: Stevens, Greyling, Plato Pens: Loubser Cons: Loubser 2
Italy began their World Cup Pool B campaign with a bonus-point victory over Namibia in changing weather conditions in Osaka.
The Namibian part-timers took an early lead through Damian Stevens before the Azzurri drew level with a penalty try.
Italy then took control with tries from Tommaso Allan and Tito Tebaldi.
Edoardo Padovani, Carlo Canna, Jake Polledri, Matteo Minozzi scored after the break, while JC Greyling and Chad Plato scored consolations for Namibia.
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Italy captain Sergio Parisse, 36, became only the third man to play in five World Cups, matching the totals of compatriot Mauro Bergamasco and Samoa's Brian Lima, and his 141st international cap also drew him level with former Ireland and British Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll in second place on the all-time list.
"The important thing was to win and take the five points," Parisse said.
"Big congratulations to Namibia as well because they never gave up. They kept playing to the end."
The only negative for the Azzurri was when Tiziano Pasquiale was stretchered off before the break.
Play was briefly paused while the prop received medical attention for what appeared to be a neck injury.
Italy are next in action against Canada on Thursday, 26 September (08:45 BST), while Namibia face neighbours South Africa on Saturday, 28 September (10:45).
Defending champions New Zealand, who beat South Africa on Saturday, are the other team in the group.
Teams
Italy: Hayward, Bellini, Benvenuti, Morisi, Padovani; Allan, Tebaldi; Quaglio, Bigi, Pasquali, Zanni, Ruzza, Steyn, Mbanda, Parisse.
Replacements: Fabiani, Ferrari, Riccioni, Budd, Polledri, Palazzani, Canna, Minozzi.
Namibia: Tromp, Plato, Newman, De la Harpe, Greyling; Loubser, Stevens; Rademeyer, Van Jaarsveld, Coetzee, Van Lill, Uanivi, Kitshoff, Conradie, Venter.
Replacements: Van der Westhuizen, De Klerk, Theron, Retief, Katjijeko, Walters, Jantjies, Kisting.
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Ireland 27-3 Scotland: Joe Schmidt's side win Rugby World Cup opener
Rory Best's try helped Ireland to a 12-0 lead inside 15 minutes
2019 Rugby World Cup: Ireland v Scotland
Ireland: (19) 27
Tries: Ryan, Best, Furlong, Conway Pens: Carty Cons: Sexton, Murray
Scotland: (3) 3
Pen: Laidlaw
Ruthless Ireland franked their status as the world's top-ranked side with a clinical Rugby World Cup victory against a meek Scotland in Yokohama.
The Irish went over in their first two incursions into the Scottish 22, James Ryan and Rory Best ploughing over to put them 12-0 ahead after 15 minutes.
Greig Laidlaw got the Scots on the board, but a wretched bounce led to Tadhg Furlong adding Ireland's third.
Andrew Conway then crossed after the break to secure Ireland's bonus point.
Ireland play hosts Japan on Saturday next, with Scotland facing Samoa two days later.
Hosts Japan won the first match in Pool A on Friday, defeating Russia 30-10, with the Samoans yet to play.
'Ireland too physical, too canny, too good'
Ireland have won many games against Scotland - five out of six in the Joe Schmidt era - but none bigger than this and not many as thoroughly emphatic either. Schmidt's team turned up in a major way, driving into the guts of their opponents pretty much from the get-go.
It would be an exaggeration to say the Irish are a contender at the World Cup on the back of this, but they've certainly accelerated away from the dog days of the Six Nations and the pitiful shellacking at England's hand at Twickenham in the warm-up campaign.
Scotland, though, delivered the square root of not a lot. No belligerence, no anger at getting bullied. They were routed pure and simple.
The Scots have a desperate propensity for conceding tries early in games. That failing didn't start when Gregor Townsend took over as coach but it's intensified - and here that weakness struck again inside just six minutes. What Townsend would have been looking for would have been a first quarter of control. What he got was a first quarter from his nightmares and Schmidt's dreams.
It was humid but Ireland's beginning was white hot. The first score had its origins in Iain Henderson bullocking his way into Scotland's 22, evading the tackles of Stuart McInally and Grant Gilchrist. Getting in behind the underdogs was half the job done. A few recycles later, the thing was completed when the towering Ryan stuck his nose to the floor and drove over. Johnny Sexton converted. Ireland were on their way.
Ireland were winning every physical battle and practically every breakdown. There was a huge illustration of their confidence after quarter of an hour when Sexton said 'no, thanks' to a kickable penalty and bashed his kick into touch instead. In going for the Scottish jugular, they didn't miss.
Henderson, bruising and quite brilliant, soared to catch and when the rumble went over the line it was Best who got the touch down. There was a question as to whether he had full control of the ball, but the try stood and it was almost poetic that it was the captain who got it.
Best has had a miserable 2019, a year when his 37 years seem to be catching up without him. He appeared to be panting and wheezing his way towards retirement. This, though, was a big day for the captain.
And a big day for his team. Though Laidlaw made it 12-3 just after the first quarter, it was a mere crumb in comparison to Ireland's feast, a third try coming soon after. The kick to Scotland's solar plexus was that it came off one of their own attacks, when the ball came bouncing off Tommy Seymour's body only to be hacked downfield.
Hogg got back to rescue it under his sticks but was driven back over his own line. Scrum Ireland. Off went CJ Stander from the base and, in quick order, over went Furlong amid a ruck of bodies. All the boys in green must have been scratching their heads at how easy it all was out there.
Conor Murray missed the conversion, the scrum-half filling in on the goal-kicking front for Sexton, who was moving gingerly after coming in for a bit of treatment from the Scottish forwards. Briefly discomforting the fly-half was about their only achievement all evening.
Ireland found space with ease against a team with a shocking lack of bite. Stander made a gallop up the middle and made 30 metres in one moment. Jacob Stockdale chipped and gathered and made even more ground shortly after. Ireland were 16 points clear and it told a false picture of how dominant they really were.
Before the break there was more calamity for the Scots when their best forward, Hamish Watson, was stretchered off injured in clear distress. Another grim moment on a grim day for Townsend's weirdly passive side.
As the rain started to fall more steadily, Ireland took an even firmer grip on things. Just before the hour-mark they struck for their bonus point try to all but guarantee top spot in their pool and a probable quarter-final with the Springboks, a game that can't look as daunting to them now as it might have done a while back.
Conway, filling in for the absent Keith Earls, got it. Murray's precise box kick was not dealt with by Ryan Wilson in his own 22. Jordan Larmour, filling in excellently for the injured Rob Kearney, picked it up and shipped it back to Murray, who put Conway away. The wing stepped around the last defender to finish with aplomb.
The scrum-half missed the conversion, not that it mattered. The next time an Irishman had a pot at goal, Jack Carty was on the field and he made no mistake. A 24-point game now. No contest.
Scotland finally managed to get some procession late on long after the fight was over. Tadhg Beirne came on to the field a replacement and then went off again for killing ball under his own posts. The Scots put a lineout to touch and tried to work a fancy one at the front, which was defended well.
They then tried to move it out the line but Ireland weren't having any of that either. Josh van der Flier ended the attack quite ruthlessly. That single moment could serve as a microcosm of the day. Ireland were too physical, too canny, too good. Far, far too good.
Scotland: Hogg; Seymour, Taylor, Johnson, Maitland; Russell, Laidlaw; Dell, McInally (captain), Nel, Gilchrist, Gray, Barclay, Watson, Wilson.
Replacements: Brown, Reid, Berghan, Cummings, Thomson, Price, Harris, Graham.
Ireland: Larmour; Conway, Ringrose, Aki, Stockdale; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best (captain), Furlong; Henderson, Ryan; O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Stander.
Replacements: Scannell, Kilcoyne, Porter, Beirne, Conan, McGrath, Carty, Farrell.
Swami
Rory Best's try helped Ireland to a 12-0 lead inside 15 minutes
2019 Rugby World Cup: Ireland v Scotland
Ireland: (19) 27
Tries: Ryan, Best, Furlong, Conway Pens: Carty Cons: Sexton, Murray
Scotland: (3) 3
Pen: Laidlaw
Ruthless Ireland franked their status as the world's top-ranked side with a clinical Rugby World Cup victory against a meek Scotland in Yokohama.
The Irish went over in their first two incursions into the Scottish 22, James Ryan and Rory Best ploughing over to put them 12-0 ahead after 15 minutes.
Greig Laidlaw got the Scots on the board, but a wretched bounce led to Tadhg Furlong adding Ireland's third.
Andrew Conway then crossed after the break to secure Ireland's bonus point.
Ireland play hosts Japan on Saturday next, with Scotland facing Samoa two days later.
Hosts Japan won the first match in Pool A on Friday, defeating Russia 30-10, with the Samoans yet to play.
'Ireland too physical, too canny, too good'
Ireland have won many games against Scotland - five out of six in the Joe Schmidt era - but none bigger than this and not many as thoroughly emphatic either. Schmidt's team turned up in a major way, driving into the guts of their opponents pretty much from the get-go.
It would be an exaggeration to say the Irish are a contender at the World Cup on the back of this, but they've certainly accelerated away from the dog days of the Six Nations and the pitiful shellacking at England's hand at Twickenham in the warm-up campaign.
Scotland, though, delivered the square root of not a lot. No belligerence, no anger at getting bullied. They were routed pure and simple.
The Scots have a desperate propensity for conceding tries early in games. That failing didn't start when Gregor Townsend took over as coach but it's intensified - and here that weakness struck again inside just six minutes. What Townsend would have been looking for would have been a first quarter of control. What he got was a first quarter from his nightmares and Schmidt's dreams.
It was humid but Ireland's beginning was white hot. The first score had its origins in Iain Henderson bullocking his way into Scotland's 22, evading the tackles of Stuart McInally and Grant Gilchrist. Getting in behind the underdogs was half the job done. A few recycles later, the thing was completed when the towering Ryan stuck his nose to the floor and drove over. Johnny Sexton converted. Ireland were on their way.
Ireland were winning every physical battle and practically every breakdown. There was a huge illustration of their confidence after quarter of an hour when Sexton said 'no, thanks' to a kickable penalty and bashed his kick into touch instead. In going for the Scottish jugular, they didn't miss.
Henderson, bruising and quite brilliant, soared to catch and when the rumble went over the line it was Best who got the touch down. There was a question as to whether he had full control of the ball, but the try stood and it was almost poetic that it was the captain who got it.
Best has had a miserable 2019, a year when his 37 years seem to be catching up without him. He appeared to be panting and wheezing his way towards retirement. This, though, was a big day for the captain.
And a big day for his team. Though Laidlaw made it 12-3 just after the first quarter, it was a mere crumb in comparison to Ireland's feast, a third try coming soon after. The kick to Scotland's solar plexus was that it came off one of their own attacks, when the ball came bouncing off Tommy Seymour's body only to be hacked downfield.
Hogg got back to rescue it under his sticks but was driven back over his own line. Scrum Ireland. Off went CJ Stander from the base and, in quick order, over went Furlong amid a ruck of bodies. All the boys in green must have been scratching their heads at how easy it all was out there.
Conor Murray missed the conversion, the scrum-half filling in on the goal-kicking front for Sexton, who was moving gingerly after coming in for a bit of treatment from the Scottish forwards. Briefly discomforting the fly-half was about their only achievement all evening.
Ireland found space with ease against a team with a shocking lack of bite. Stander made a gallop up the middle and made 30 metres in one moment. Jacob Stockdale chipped and gathered and made even more ground shortly after. Ireland were 16 points clear and it told a false picture of how dominant they really were.
Before the break there was more calamity for the Scots when their best forward, Hamish Watson, was stretchered off injured in clear distress. Another grim moment on a grim day for Townsend's weirdly passive side.
As the rain started to fall more steadily, Ireland took an even firmer grip on things. Just before the hour-mark they struck for their bonus point try to all but guarantee top spot in their pool and a probable quarter-final with the Springboks, a game that can't look as daunting to them now as it might have done a while back.
Conway, filling in for the absent Keith Earls, got it. Murray's precise box kick was not dealt with by Ryan Wilson in his own 22. Jordan Larmour, filling in excellently for the injured Rob Kearney, picked it up and shipped it back to Murray, who put Conway away. The wing stepped around the last defender to finish with aplomb.
The scrum-half missed the conversion, not that it mattered. The next time an Irishman had a pot at goal, Jack Carty was on the field and he made no mistake. A 24-point game now. No contest.
Scotland finally managed to get some procession late on long after the fight was over. Tadhg Beirne came on to the field a replacement and then went off again for killing ball under his own posts. The Scots put a lineout to touch and tried to work a fancy one at the front, which was defended well.
They then tried to move it out the line but Ireland weren't having any of that either. Josh van der Flier ended the attack quite ruthlessly. That single moment could serve as a microcosm of the day. Ireland were too physical, too canny, too good. Far, far too good.
Scotland: Hogg; Seymour, Taylor, Johnson, Maitland; Russell, Laidlaw; Dell, McInally (captain), Nel, Gilchrist, Gray, Barclay, Watson, Wilson.
Replacements: Brown, Reid, Berghan, Cummings, Thomson, Price, Harris, Graham.
Ireland: Larmour; Conway, Ringrose, Aki, Stockdale; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best (captain), Furlong; Henderson, Ryan; O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Stander.
Replacements: Scannell, Kilcoyne, Porter, Beirne, Conan, McGrath, Carty, Farrell.
Swami
- Awards
- 3
England 35-3 Tonga: Eddie Jones' side battle to opening World Cup win
Manu Tuilagi scored England's first try of their 2019 World Cup campaign
2019 Rugby World Cup: England v Tonga
England: (18) 35
Tries: Tuilagi 2, George, Cowan-Dickie Pens: Farrell 3 Cons: Farrell 3
Tonga: (3)
Pens: Takulua
England's World Cup campaign got off to a spluttering but winning start as they fought their way past unfancied Tonga.
Two first-half tries from the buccaneering Manu Tuilagi and a second-half rumble from Jamie George off a driving maul opened a gap, Owen Farrell landing three penalties and two conversions.
Replacement hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie grabbed the bonus-point fourth try late on but the expected avalanche of points never materialised.
Tonga had shipped 14 tries to New Zealand earlier this month and had won only one of their last seven coming into this tournament.
But they caused England problems at the breakdown, and coach Eddie Jones will want much more from his side as they look to win the Webb-Ellis trophy for only the second time in their history.
More soon.
England: Daly, Watson, Tuilagi, Farrell (c), May, Ford, Youngs; Marler, George, Sinckler, Lawes, Itoje, Curry, Underhill, Vunipola.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Cole, Kruis, Ludlam, Heinz, Slade, Joseph.
Tonga: Halaifonua, Pakalani, Piutau (c), Vuna, Lolohea, Morath, Takulua; Fisiihoi, Sakalia, Tameifuna, Lousi, Fifita, Kalamafoni, Kapeli, Vaipulu.
Replacements: Maile, Talakai, Fia, Faleafa, Manu, Fukofuka, Faiva, Tu'itavake
Swami
Manu Tuilagi scored England's first try of their 2019 World Cup campaign
2019 Rugby World Cup: England v Tonga
England: (18) 35
Tries: Tuilagi 2, George, Cowan-Dickie Pens: Farrell 3 Cons: Farrell 3
Tonga: (3)
Pens: Takulua
England's World Cup campaign got off to a spluttering but winning start as they fought their way past unfancied Tonga.
Two first-half tries from the buccaneering Manu Tuilagi and a second-half rumble from Jamie George off a driving maul opened a gap, Owen Farrell landing three penalties and two conversions.
Replacement hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie grabbed the bonus-point fourth try late on but the expected avalanche of points never materialised.
Tonga had shipped 14 tries to New Zealand earlier this month and had won only one of their last seven coming into this tournament.
But they caused England problems at the breakdown, and coach Eddie Jones will want much more from his side as they look to win the Webb-Ellis trophy for only the second time in their history.
More soon.
- Reaction to England v Tonga
- World Cup tables
- Inside story of England's last four World Cups
- Pick your all-time World Cup XV
- Quiz: Test your World Cup knowledge
England: Daly, Watson, Tuilagi, Farrell (c), May, Ford, Youngs; Marler, George, Sinckler, Lawes, Itoje, Curry, Underhill, Vunipola.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Cole, Kruis, Ludlam, Heinz, Slade, Joseph.
Tonga: Halaifonua, Pakalani, Piutau (c), Vuna, Lolohea, Morath, Takulua; Fisiihoi, Sakalia, Tameifuna, Lousi, Fifita, Kalamafoni, Kapeli, Vaipulu.
Replacements: Maile, Talakai, Fia, Faleafa, Manu, Fukofuka, Faiva, Tu'itavake
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Wales 43-14 Georgia: Warren Gatland's men open World Cup campaign with six-try win
2019 Rugby World Cup: Wales v Georgia
Wales: (29) 43
Tries: J Davies, Tipuric, Adams, L Williams, T Williams, North Cons: Biggar 4, Halfpenny Pens: Biggar
Georgia: (0) 14
Tries: Mamukashvili, Chilachava Cons: Abzhandadze 2
Wales delivered a performance of contrasting halves in their opening Rugby World Cup match as they produced a bonus-point, six-try win over Georgia in Toyota City.
Tries from Jonathan Davies, Justin Tipuric, Josh Adams and Liam Williams secured the bonus point before half-time.
The fluent first 40 minutes was followed by a scrappy second-half performance against a rejuvenated Georgian side.
Replacement scrum-half Tomos Williams and George North added second-half tries.
Australia now await Wales in what will effectively be a potential Pool D decider in Tokyo on 29 September.
This was the oldest Wales starting side at a Rugby World Cup with an average age of 28 years and 331 days.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones celebrated victory as he equalled Gethin Jenkins' record of 129 Wales caps in front of a crowd of 35,545.
Wales were desperate to finally play following the pre-tournament departure of backs coach Rob Howley over an alleged betting breach.
Preparations had already been checked by three warm-up defeats and injuries to Gareth Anscombe and Taulupe Faletau even before the Howley bombshell was revealed.
Wales' early pace
After backs coach Howley was sent home from Japan, he was replaced by former Wales fly-half Stephen Jones who only had two training sessions with the squad before the opening fixture.
Jones knows many of the Wales players, having coached them at Scarlets and there appeared to be little early disruption.
In fact it appeared a more seamless transition with Georgia unable to cope with Wales' pace in the opening period.
Wales took only until the third minute to open the scoring with a well-worked backs move, the nation's fastest ever World Cup try.
Centre Jonathan Davies sliced through the Georgian defence from a slick scrum set-piece move from Gareth Davies' pass.
Dan Biggar inexplicably missed the conversion in front of the posts after he seemed to be struggling to shake off a knock in the warm-up which left him with a gashed chin.
The battered Northampton fly-half experienced a bruising game but recovered in time to add a penalty as Wales benefited from an early strong scrum, a major reason why Wyn Jones was selected at loose-head prop.
More backline chemistry followed between wing Adams and scrum-half Davies, leading to the second try for flanker Tipuric, who produced a clever finish.
Josh Adams scored Wales' third try in Toyota City
Rampant Adams
Biggar this time slotted the conversion from under the posts and turned creator with a delayed inside pass to release Adams.
The wing ran rampant in the opening quarter and scorched over for a deserved try. Normal service resumed as Biggar slotted over the touchline conversion.
Georgia's first break could have resulted in a yellow card for Wales scrum-half Davies after he intercepted a pass from flanker Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, but the ball was adjudged to have gone backwards after being referred to the television match official Rowan Kitt.
Milton Haig's side were inspired and started to secure some scrum pressure, but strong Welsh defence held them out, typified by a thumping Josh Navidi tackle.
Wales secured the bonus point before half-time with a well-worked fourth score with the Scarlets Davies boys, centre Jonathan and scrum-half Gareth, setting up Liam Williams, who finished with an audacious pick-up.
Georgia battled back at the start of the second half with a try for hooker Shalva Mamukashvili from a typical driving line-out. Fly-half Tedo Abzhandadze converted.
Wales responded with a rampaging forward drive of their own which was brought down illegally, earning replacement hooker Jaba Bregvadze a yellow card from referee Luke Pearce.
Georgia ensured their numerical disadvantage did not tell with some thunderous tackling against some one-dimensional attack with Wales failing to scoring any points when they had the extra man.
Wales broke their second-half deadlock when a North chip kick was gathered by replacement scrum-half Tomos Williams before Biggar converted, but Georgia stormed back for their second try through Bregvadze.
Wales had the final word when replacement scrum-half Williams returned the favour to set up North and replacement full-back Leigh Halfpenny converted.
Lock worries
A bruising battle with no long-term injuries would have pleased Gatland especially as Wales still only have two fit-second rows with Jake Ball and captain Jones and back-rower Aaron Shingler covering the position.
Adam Beard only arrived in Japan on Friday after having his appendix removed with Gatland saying he probably would not be fit for the Australia match and post-match revealing Cory Hill could be sent home without playing a game as he struggles to overcome a stress fracture in the leg.
Wales will need all their firepower against the Wallabies.
What the coaches said
Wales coach Warren Gatland: "We needed that.
"I have been watching the games in the last few days and the guys were itching to get out there and I am pleased with the first-half performance.
"I thought we were pretty clinical and probably let things slip a bit in the second-half.
That probably did not help because we were losing some continuity and making some changes with the subs and bringing people off, trying to think about keeping players as fresh as we possibly can with the six day turnaround.
Georgia coach Milton Haig added: "I thought we played pretty well in that second half and we showed our typical Georgian fighting spirit that we're known for, so I'm proud of how they went in that second half."
Man of the Match - Justin Tipuric
While second-row Jake Ball was the official player-of-the-match, flanker Justin Tipuric produced an outstanding all-round try-scoring display. Jonathan Davies, Gareth Davies and Josh Adams were all prominent in the Welsh attack
Wales: L Williams (Halfpenny, 60); North, J Davies, Parkes, Adams; Biggar (Patchell, 67), G Davies (T Williams, 48); Wyn Jones (Smith, 56), Owens (Dee, 56), Francis (Lewis, 47), Ball (Shingler, 62), Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Wainwright (Moriarty, 51), Tipuric, Navidi.
Replacements: Smith, Dee, Lewis, Shingler, Moriarty, T Williams, Patchell, Halfpenny.
Georgia: Matiashvili; Modebadze, Kacharava, Mchedlidze, Kveseladze; Abzhandadze, Lobzhanidze; Nariashvili (capt; Gogichashvili, 47), Mamukashvili (Saginadze 58), Gigashvili (Chilachava, 47), Nemsadze, Mikautadze (Sutiashvili, 51), Tkhilaishvili (Mamukashvili, 55), M Gorgodze (Giorgadze, 60), B Gorgodze.
Replacements: Bregvadze, Gogichashvili, Chilachava, Sutiashvili, Saginadze, Giorgadze, Aprasidze, Khmaladze.
Officials: Referee, Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Ben O'Keefe (New Zealand), Mathew Carley (England)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
Swami
2019 Rugby World Cup: Wales v Georgia
Wales: (29) 43
Tries: J Davies, Tipuric, Adams, L Williams, T Williams, North Cons: Biggar 4, Halfpenny Pens: Biggar
Georgia: (0) 14
Tries: Mamukashvili, Chilachava Cons: Abzhandadze 2
Wales delivered a performance of contrasting halves in their opening Rugby World Cup match as they produced a bonus-point, six-try win over Georgia in Toyota City.
Tries from Jonathan Davies, Justin Tipuric, Josh Adams and Liam Williams secured the bonus point before half-time.
The fluent first 40 minutes was followed by a scrappy second-half performance against a rejuvenated Georgian side.
Replacement scrum-half Tomos Williams and George North added second-half tries.
Australia now await Wales in what will effectively be a potential Pool D decider in Tokyo on 29 September.
This was the oldest Wales starting side at a Rugby World Cup with an average age of 28 years and 331 days.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones celebrated victory as he equalled Gethin Jenkins' record of 129 Wales caps in front of a crowd of 35,545.
Wales were desperate to finally play following the pre-tournament departure of backs coach Rob Howley over an alleged betting breach.
Preparations had already been checked by three warm-up defeats and injuries to Gareth Anscombe and Taulupe Faletau even before the Howley bombshell was revealed.
Wales' early pace
After backs coach Howley was sent home from Japan, he was replaced by former Wales fly-half Stephen Jones who only had two training sessions with the squad before the opening fixture.
Jones knows many of the Wales players, having coached them at Scarlets and there appeared to be little early disruption.
In fact it appeared a more seamless transition with Georgia unable to cope with Wales' pace in the opening period.
Wales took only until the third minute to open the scoring with a well-worked backs move, the nation's fastest ever World Cup try.
Centre Jonathan Davies sliced through the Georgian defence from a slick scrum set-piece move from Gareth Davies' pass.
Dan Biggar inexplicably missed the conversion in front of the posts after he seemed to be struggling to shake off a knock in the warm-up which left him with a gashed chin.
The battered Northampton fly-half experienced a bruising game but recovered in time to add a penalty as Wales benefited from an early strong scrum, a major reason why Wyn Jones was selected at loose-head prop.
More backline chemistry followed between wing Adams and scrum-half Davies, leading to the second try for flanker Tipuric, who produced a clever finish.
Josh Adams scored Wales' third try in Toyota City
Rampant Adams
Biggar this time slotted the conversion from under the posts and turned creator with a delayed inside pass to release Adams.
The wing ran rampant in the opening quarter and scorched over for a deserved try. Normal service resumed as Biggar slotted over the touchline conversion.
Georgia's first break could have resulted in a yellow card for Wales scrum-half Davies after he intercepted a pass from flanker Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, but the ball was adjudged to have gone backwards after being referred to the television match official Rowan Kitt.
Milton Haig's side were inspired and started to secure some scrum pressure, but strong Welsh defence held them out, typified by a thumping Josh Navidi tackle.
Wales secured the bonus point before half-time with a well-worked fourth score with the Scarlets Davies boys, centre Jonathan and scrum-half Gareth, setting up Liam Williams, who finished with an audacious pick-up.
Georgia battled back at the start of the second half with a try for hooker Shalva Mamukashvili from a typical driving line-out. Fly-half Tedo Abzhandadze converted.
Wales responded with a rampaging forward drive of their own which was brought down illegally, earning replacement hooker Jaba Bregvadze a yellow card from referee Luke Pearce.
Georgia ensured their numerical disadvantage did not tell with some thunderous tackling against some one-dimensional attack with Wales failing to scoring any points when they had the extra man.
Wales broke their second-half deadlock when a North chip kick was gathered by replacement scrum-half Tomos Williams before Biggar converted, but Georgia stormed back for their second try through Bregvadze.
Wales had the final word when replacement scrum-half Williams returned the favour to set up North and replacement full-back Leigh Halfpenny converted.
Lock worries
A bruising battle with no long-term injuries would have pleased Gatland especially as Wales still only have two fit-second rows with Jake Ball and captain Jones and back-rower Aaron Shingler covering the position.
Adam Beard only arrived in Japan on Friday after having his appendix removed with Gatland saying he probably would not be fit for the Australia match and post-match revealing Cory Hill could be sent home without playing a game as he struggles to overcome a stress fracture in the leg.
Wales will need all their firepower against the Wallabies.
What the coaches said
Wales coach Warren Gatland: "We needed that.
"I have been watching the games in the last few days and the guys were itching to get out there and I am pleased with the first-half performance.
"I thought we were pretty clinical and probably let things slip a bit in the second-half.
That probably did not help because we were losing some continuity and making some changes with the subs and bringing people off, trying to think about keeping players as fresh as we possibly can with the six day turnaround.
Georgia coach Milton Haig added: "I thought we played pretty well in that second half and we showed our typical Georgian fighting spirit that we're known for, so I'm proud of how they went in that second half."
Man of the Match - Justin Tipuric
While second-row Jake Ball was the official player-of-the-match, flanker Justin Tipuric produced an outstanding all-round try-scoring display. Jonathan Davies, Gareth Davies and Josh Adams were all prominent in the Welsh attack
Wales: L Williams (Halfpenny, 60); North, J Davies, Parkes, Adams; Biggar (Patchell, 67), G Davies (T Williams, 48); Wyn Jones (Smith, 56), Owens (Dee, 56), Francis (Lewis, 47), Ball (Shingler, 62), Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Wainwright (Moriarty, 51), Tipuric, Navidi.
Replacements: Smith, Dee, Lewis, Shingler, Moriarty, T Williams, Patchell, Halfpenny.
Georgia: Matiashvili; Modebadze, Kacharava, Mchedlidze, Kveseladze; Abzhandadze, Lobzhanidze; Nariashvili (capt; Gogichashvili, 47), Mamukashvili (Saginadze 58), Gigashvili (Chilachava, 47), Nemsadze, Mikautadze (Sutiashvili, 51), Tkhilaishvili (Mamukashvili, 55), M Gorgodze (Giorgadze, 60), B Gorgodze.
Replacements: Bregvadze, Gogichashvili, Chilachava, Sutiashvili, Saginadze, Giorgadze, Aprasidze, Khmaladze.
Officials: Referee, Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Ben O'Keefe (New Zealand), Mathew Carley (England)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Rugby World Cup: Samoa beat Russia 34-9 after strong second half performance
Bristol Bears' Alapati Leiua scored the only try of the first half as two Russian penalties saw them lead at the break
2019 Rugby World Cup: Russia v Samoa
Russia: (6) 9
Pens: Kushnarev 2 Drop-goal: Kushnarev
Samoa: (5) 34
Tries: Leiua 2, Amosa, Fidow 2, Lee-Lo Cons: Pisi 2
Three tries in eight minutes at the start of the second half saw Samoa overcome a slow start and earn a bonus-point win against spirited Russia.
The Pacific Islanders went down to 13 men in the first half as Rey Lee-Lo and Motu Matu'u were both sin-binned for high tackles on Vasily Artemyev.
Russia led at the break thanks to two penalties from Yury Kushnarev.
But Samoa found their fluency to run in five second-half tries and ease to victory as the Bears ran out of steam.
Samoa narrowly top Pool A - which also contains hosts Japan, as well as Ireland and Scotland - on points difference.
Russia were on top in the early stages at Kumagaya Stadium as Samoa were slow to find their feet, but it was the latter who opened the scoring through Alapati Leiua's try.
Samoa then received two yellow cards in three minutes when Lee-Lo and Matu'u were sent to the bin by referee Romain Poite.
In both instances, the players appeared to make contact with Russian skipper Artemyev's head, but Poite deemed that he was dipping into contact and that yellow cards were sufficient.
Vasily Dorofeev was lively in a strong first-half showing from Russia, before they began to tire in the second period
Samoa hit the ground running in the early stages of the second half, with Afaesetiti Amosa's score and a quickfire Ed Fidow double taking the game away from Russia.
Lee-Lo and Leiua's second wrapped up the scoring, with Russia held up on the line as they pressed in vain for a consolation try.
Samoa now face a crucial tie against Scotland on Monday (11:15 BST) in Kobe, whereas Russia meet Ireland in the same city on Thursday, October 3 (11:15 BST).
Russia coach Lyn Jones:
"It's very disappointing. The performance wasn't what we expected. However, the short turnaround has affected us tactically and mentally.
"I thought we could play the same tactics as Japan, but it wasn't going to be tonight. We needed more time to prepare.
"It's not the physical deterioration, it was the mental. We just weren't there tonight."
Samoa coach Steve Jackson:
"To lose two players, go down to 13 men and we didn't lose on the score, I'm really proud of the effort.
"We knew we would come out after half-time and the boys were still fresh. I'm just glad we got over the line."
Russia: Artemyev (capt); Davydov, Ostroushko, Gerasimov, Golosnitskiy; Kushnarev, Dorofeev; Morozov, Selskii, Gotovtsev, Ostrikov, Fedotko, Zhivatov, Gadzhiev, Vavilin.
Replacements: Matveev, Polivalov, Bitiev, Garbuzov, Sychev, Perov, Gaisin, Sozonov.
Samoa: Nanai-Williams; Leiua, Lee-Lo, Taefu, Fidow; Pisi, Polataivao; Mulipola, Matu'u, Alaalatoa, Paulo, Le'aupepe, Vui (capt), Ioane, Amosa.
Replacements: Niuia, Alo-Emile, Jordan Lay, Toleafoa, Tyrell, Matavao, Alatimu, Seuteni.
Referee: Romain Poite (Fra).
Swami
Bristol Bears' Alapati Leiua scored the only try of the first half as two Russian penalties saw them lead at the break
2019 Rugby World Cup: Russia v Samoa
Russia: (6) 9
Pens: Kushnarev 2 Drop-goal: Kushnarev
Samoa: (5) 34
Tries: Leiua 2, Amosa, Fidow 2, Lee-Lo Cons: Pisi 2
Three tries in eight minutes at the start of the second half saw Samoa overcome a slow start and earn a bonus-point win against spirited Russia.
The Pacific Islanders went down to 13 men in the first half as Rey Lee-Lo and Motu Matu'u were both sin-binned for high tackles on Vasily Artemyev.
Russia led at the break thanks to two penalties from Yury Kushnarev.
But Samoa found their fluency to run in five second-half tries and ease to victory as the Bears ran out of steam.
Samoa narrowly top Pool A - which also contains hosts Japan, as well as Ireland and Scotland - on points difference.
Russia were on top in the early stages at Kumagaya Stadium as Samoa were slow to find their feet, but it was the latter who opened the scoring through Alapati Leiua's try.
- Relive Samoa's victory against Russia as it happened
- Full fixtures and results
- Latest World Cup tables
- Quiz - greatest World Cup moments
- Rugby Union Weekly at the World Cup
Samoa then received two yellow cards in three minutes when Lee-Lo and Matu'u were sent to the bin by referee Romain Poite.
In both instances, the players appeared to make contact with Russian skipper Artemyev's head, but Poite deemed that he was dipping into contact and that yellow cards were sufficient.
Vasily Dorofeev was lively in a strong first-half showing from Russia, before they began to tire in the second period
Samoa hit the ground running in the early stages of the second half, with Afaesetiti Amosa's score and a quickfire Ed Fidow double taking the game away from Russia.
Lee-Lo and Leiua's second wrapped up the scoring, with Russia held up on the line as they pressed in vain for a consolation try.
Samoa now face a crucial tie against Scotland on Monday (11:15 BST) in Kobe, whereas Russia meet Ireland in the same city on Thursday, October 3 (11:15 BST).
Russia coach Lyn Jones:
"It's very disappointing. The performance wasn't what we expected. However, the short turnaround has affected us tactically and mentally.
"I thought we could play the same tactics as Japan, but it wasn't going to be tonight. We needed more time to prepare.
"It's not the physical deterioration, it was the mental. We just weren't there tonight."
Samoa coach Steve Jackson:
"To lose two players, go down to 13 men and we didn't lose on the score, I'm really proud of the effort.
"We knew we would come out after half-time and the boys were still fresh. I'm just glad we got over the line."
Russia: Artemyev (capt); Davydov, Ostroushko, Gerasimov, Golosnitskiy; Kushnarev, Dorofeev; Morozov, Selskii, Gotovtsev, Ostrikov, Fedotko, Zhivatov, Gadzhiev, Vavilin.
Replacements: Matveev, Polivalov, Bitiev, Garbuzov, Sychev, Perov, Gaisin, Sozonov.
Samoa: Nanai-Williams; Leiua, Lee-Lo, Taefu, Fidow; Pisi, Polataivao; Mulipola, Matu'u, Alaalatoa, Paulo, Le'aupepe, Vui (capt), Ioane, Amosa.
Replacements: Niuia, Alo-Emile, Jordan Lay, Toleafoa, Tyrell, Matavao, Alatimu, Seuteni.
Referee: Romain Poite (Fra).
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Rugby World Cup: Fiji on brink of exit after Uruguay pull off stunning 30-27 win
Fiji: (12) 27
Tries: Dolokoto, Mawi, Ratuniyarawa, Matawalu 2 Cons: Matavesi
Uruguay: (24) 30
Tries: Arata, Diana, Cat Pens: Berchesi 3 Cons: Berchesi
Uruguay left Fiji on the brink of exiting the Rugby World Cup at the pool stage as they pulled off a memorable win in Kamaishi.
In a frantic first half, Fiji were left stunned as Uruguay came from behind to lead through tries from Santiago Arata, Manuel Diana and Juan Manuel Cat.
Api Ratuniyarawa reduced the deficit for Fiji while Nikola Matawalu touched down to give them a losing bonus point.
Fiji remain fourth in Pool D but languish behind Wales and Australia.
A win would have got their tournament back on track and they led again through Eroni Mawi after Arata quickly responded for Uruguay, but the Fijians were stunned by a resilient Los Teros side.
Uruguay, who were playing their first match of this year's tournament, seemed unfazed by Fiji and kept them frustrated as they comfortably led most of the match.
Felipe Berchesi's penalty just before the break put Uruguay 12 points ahead and left Fiji with a mountain to climb to avoid a second successive defeat.
Fiji could have clawed down the gap had Josh Matavesi's kicking been on target, however the Newcastle Falcons fly-half missed two conversions and a second-half penalty before Ben Volavola missed the extras from Matawalu's score.
A crucial tie against Georgia on Thursday, 3 October (06:15 BST) now awaits Fiji, whereas Uruguay face Australia in Oita on Saturday, 5 October (06:15 BST).
Uruguay captain Juan Manuel Gaminara:
"I'm really proud of my country. We're not the biggest, we're not the tallest, but we came here to win.
"We've been preparing for this for four years so I'm really proud.
"We've been working since we qualified on this and we never take anything for granted and you saw the passion. It's inside all of us and we had to go there and fetch it today and bring it through."
Fiji coach John McKee:
"You have to pay tribute to Uruguay for the way they played with the attitude and approach to the game.
"They got a great result. For us, we were off the pace and critical errors gifted them tries and we didn't have the mental toughness to get back into the game.
"They scored three tries off our errors and we were focusing too much on keeping the ball and not turning it over.
"We have to recoup now as we've got Georgia in eight days time and it's a massive game for us."
Fiji: Veitokani; Nakosi, Radrada, Vatubua, Goneva; J Matavesi, Seniloli; Mawi, Dolokoto; Saulo, Ratuva, Ratuniyarawa, Waqaniburotu (capt), Voka, Nakarawa.
Replacements: Vugakoto, Ma'afu, Atalifo, Cavubati, S Matavesi Matawalu, Volavola, Botia.
Uruguay: Mieres; Freitas, Cat, Vilaseca, Silva; Berchesi, Arata; Sanguinetti, Kessler, Arbelo, Dotti, Leindeker, Gaminara (capt), Civetta, Diana.
Replacements: Pujadas, Gattas, Rombys, Lamanna, J Ormaechea, A Ormaechea, Etcheverry, Inciarte.
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (Fra).
Swami
Fiji: (12) 27
Tries: Dolokoto, Mawi, Ratuniyarawa, Matawalu 2 Cons: Matavesi
Uruguay: (24) 30
Tries: Arata, Diana, Cat Pens: Berchesi 3 Cons: Berchesi
Uruguay left Fiji on the brink of exiting the Rugby World Cup at the pool stage as they pulled off a memorable win in Kamaishi.
In a frantic first half, Fiji were left stunned as Uruguay came from behind to lead through tries from Santiago Arata, Manuel Diana and Juan Manuel Cat.
Api Ratuniyarawa reduced the deficit for Fiji while Nikola Matawalu touched down to give them a losing bonus point.
Fiji remain fourth in Pool D but languish behind Wales and Australia.
- Relive Uruguay's famous win against Fiji as it happened
- Full fixtures and results
- Latest World Cup tables
- Quiz - greatest World Cup moments
- Rugby Union Weekly at the World Cup
A win would have got their tournament back on track and they led again through Eroni Mawi after Arata quickly responded for Uruguay, but the Fijians were stunned by a resilient Los Teros side.
Uruguay, who were playing their first match of this year's tournament, seemed unfazed by Fiji and kept them frustrated as they comfortably led most of the match.
Felipe Berchesi's penalty just before the break put Uruguay 12 points ahead and left Fiji with a mountain to climb to avoid a second successive defeat.
Fiji could have clawed down the gap had Josh Matavesi's kicking been on target, however the Newcastle Falcons fly-half missed two conversions and a second-half penalty before Ben Volavola missed the extras from Matawalu's score.
A crucial tie against Georgia on Thursday, 3 October (06:15 BST) now awaits Fiji, whereas Uruguay face Australia in Oita on Saturday, 5 October (06:15 BST).
Uruguay captain Juan Manuel Gaminara:
"I'm really proud of my country. We're not the biggest, we're not the tallest, but we came here to win.
"We've been preparing for this for four years so I'm really proud.
"We've been working since we qualified on this and we never take anything for granted and you saw the passion. It's inside all of us and we had to go there and fetch it today and bring it through."
Fiji coach John McKee:
"You have to pay tribute to Uruguay for the way they played with the attitude and approach to the game.
"They got a great result. For us, we were off the pace and critical errors gifted them tries and we didn't have the mental toughness to get back into the game.
"They scored three tries off our errors and we were focusing too much on keeping the ball and not turning it over.
"We have to recoup now as we've got Georgia in eight days time and it's a massive game for us."
Fiji: Veitokani; Nakosi, Radrada, Vatubua, Goneva; J Matavesi, Seniloli; Mawi, Dolokoto; Saulo, Ratuva, Ratuniyarawa, Waqaniburotu (capt), Voka, Nakarawa.
Replacements: Vugakoto, Ma'afu, Atalifo, Cavubati, S Matavesi Matawalu, Volavola, Botia.
Uruguay: Mieres; Freitas, Cat, Vilaseca, Silva; Berchesi, Arata; Sanguinetti, Kessler, Arbelo, Dotti, Leindeker, Gaminara (capt), Civetta, Diana.
Replacements: Pujadas, Gattas, Rombys, Lamanna, J Ormaechea, A Ormaechea, Etcheverry, Inciarte.
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (Fra).
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Rugby World Cup: Italy secure bonus-point 48-7 win over Canada in Pool B
Italy's Gloucester flanker Jake Polledri made more carries (16) and beat more defenders (14) than any other player on the pitch
2019 Rugby World Cup: Italy v Canada
Italy: (17) 48
Tries: Steyn, Budd, Negri, Penalty try, Bellini, Zani, Minozzi Cons: Allan 3, Canna Pen: Allan
Canada: (0) 7
Try: Coe Con: Nelson
Italy scored seven tries as they secured a bonus-point World Cup Pool B victory against Canada in Fukuoka.
Forwards Braam Steyn and Dean Budd crossed for tries early in the first half as Italy led from the start.
Sebastian Negri, Mattia Bellini, Federico Zani and Matteo Minozzi added tries in the second half and Italy were also awarded a penalty try.
Italy top the group after their biggest World Cup win, but they have yet to play South Africa or New Zealand.
The North American side, who had lost their previous six matches against the Azzurri, had their chances to gain a foothold in the game but Matt Heaton spurned their best opportunity as he dropped the ball with the tryline at his mercy.
That was the first of multiple handling errors as Canada struggled to finish their openings while Italy, with the powerful Jake Polledri to the fore, maintained a clinical edge.
Andrew Coe did score a brilliant consolation try as he beat Italy full-back Minozzi to cross in the corner - but it was the impressive Minozzi who had the final say.
Aside from that missed tackle the Italy full-back, who will join Wasps after the World Cup, was brilliant in defence and attack and he scored the Azzurri's seventh try to cap off a fine performance.
Canada face defending champions New Zealand next on Wednesday, 2 October (11:15 BST), while Italy face the Springboks next on 4 October (10:45).
Teams
Italy: Minozzi; Benvenuti, Campagnaro, Hayward, Bisegni; Allan, Braley; Lovotti, Bigi, Ferrari, Sisi, Budd, Negri, Polledri, Steyn.
Replacements: Zani, Quaglio, Riccioni, Ruzza, Mbanda, Palazzani, Canna, Bellini.
Canada: Parfrey; Hassler, Lesage, Blevins, Van der Merwe; Nelson, McRorie; Buydens, Howard, Tierney, Keys, Larsen, Sheppard, Rumball, Ardron.
Replacements: Piffero, Sears-Duru, Keith, Campbell, Heaton, Mackenzie, Hearn, Coe.
Swami
Italy's Gloucester flanker Jake Polledri made more carries (16) and beat more defenders (14) than any other player on the pitch
2019 Rugby World Cup: Italy v Canada
Italy: (17) 48
Tries: Steyn, Budd, Negri, Penalty try, Bellini, Zani, Minozzi Cons: Allan 3, Canna Pen: Allan
Canada: (0) 7
Try: Coe Con: Nelson
Italy scored seven tries as they secured a bonus-point World Cup Pool B victory against Canada in Fukuoka.
Forwards Braam Steyn and Dean Budd crossed for tries early in the first half as Italy led from the start.
Sebastian Negri, Mattia Bellini, Federico Zani and Matteo Minozzi added tries in the second half and Italy were also awarded a penalty try.
Italy top the group after their biggest World Cup win, but they have yet to play South Africa or New Zealand.
- England v United States - live coverage
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- Fixtures and results
The North American side, who had lost their previous six matches against the Azzurri, had their chances to gain a foothold in the game but Matt Heaton spurned their best opportunity as he dropped the ball with the tryline at his mercy.
That was the first of multiple handling errors as Canada struggled to finish their openings while Italy, with the powerful Jake Polledri to the fore, maintained a clinical edge.
Andrew Coe did score a brilliant consolation try as he beat Italy full-back Minozzi to cross in the corner - but it was the impressive Minozzi who had the final say.
Aside from that missed tackle the Italy full-back, who will join Wasps after the World Cup, was brilliant in defence and attack and he scored the Azzurri's seventh try to cap off a fine performance.
Canada face defending champions New Zealand next on Wednesday, 2 October (11:15 BST), while Italy face the Springboks next on 4 October (10:45).
Teams
Italy: Minozzi; Benvenuti, Campagnaro, Hayward, Bisegni; Allan, Braley; Lovotti, Bigi, Ferrari, Sisi, Budd, Negri, Polledri, Steyn.
Replacements: Zani, Quaglio, Riccioni, Ruzza, Mbanda, Palazzani, Canna, Bellini.
Canada: Parfrey; Hassler, Lesage, Blevins, Van der Merwe; Nelson, McRorie; Buydens, Howard, Tierney, Keys, Larsen, Sheppard, Rumball, Ardron.
Replacements: Piffero, Sears-Duru, Keith, Campbell, Heaton, Mackenzie, Hearn, Coe.
Swami
- Awards
- 3
England thrash United States 45-7 in Rugby World Cup
By Tom Fordyce
2019 Rugby World Cup: England v United States
England: (19) 45
Tries: Cokanasiga 2, Ford, Vunipola, Cowan-Dickie, McConnochie, Ludlam Cons: Ford 5
United States: (0) 7
Try: Campbell Con: MacGinty
Red card: Quill
England hit their World Cup straps with a seven-try demolition of the USA to make it two bonus-point wins from two.
Billy Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie scored first-half tries from driving mauls after skipper George Ford went under the posts after six minutes.
Four more in the second half - two from Joe Cokanasiga, one apiece from latecomers Ruaridh McConnochie and Lewis Ludlum - were a fitting reward for a much-improved performance in the heat and humidity of Kobe.
In a World Cup becoming defined by safe tackling technique, US flanker John Quill was sent off for a horrible shoulder charge on replacement Owen Farrell, the England talisman lucky not to suffer serious injury.
But the man Farrell had come on for, Piers Francis, may himself face retrospective action after a questionable challenge in the opening moments of the game.
England's set-piece was dominant, the US forwards unable to cope at the scrum or to find an answer when their opponents set the maul.
Tougher tests lie ahead in the shape of Argentina and France but England will travel to Tokyo this weekend in much improved mood.
Joe Cokanasiga scored two of England's four tries in the second half
Eddie Jones had promised a fast start and his team delivered, Ford slicing through a stretched defence on the angle - after Vunipola's initial run and Francis's foray down the left - to touch down under the posts.
Four penalties conceded in the first 15 minutes slowed the charge, World Cup debutant Willie Heinz over-exuberant and indisciplined at a scrum and ruck and then spilling the ball forward with England three metres out.
But with Ford pulling the strings England kicked a penalty to the corner, Cowan-Dickie went to Tom Curry at the back of the line-out and Vunipola rumbled over at the back of the driving maul.
The US pack was splintering at the set-piece, and after Ford kicked a scrum penalty into touch, another maul sent Cowan-Dickie in for a replica try down the right.
And England nearly had their fourth try just before the interval as Ford's cute chip was gathered by Jonathan Joseph, Cokanasiga not able to gather the centre's pass with the line beckoning.
Their 19-0 half-time lead was a fair reflection of the balance of power, England with 66% of possession and 76% territory.
Bolters make their mark on World Cup
Owen Farrell carried on after receiving medical attention following a dangerous high tackle
Jones took off Vunipola, Dan Cole and Joe Marler at the break with Mark Wilson, Kyle Sinckler and Ellis Genge coming into the fray.
Sinckler and Wilson combined beautifully in midfield before Joseph's dummy foxed the remaining cover, the centre stepping and spinning to within two metres before Cokanasinga crashed over.
On came Farrell, Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes, Jones trying to manage the workload on his players with the short turnaround between games.
Winger McConnochie blew one opening when he opted to step in rather than pin his ears back for the corner, but the late bolter for England's World Cup squad made amends moments later as he rolled in after England ran another scrum penalty.
Ludlum was another who was nowhere near this team six months ago yet his dynamic performance was capped with a try of his own after Ford's sidestep down the left.
And Cokanasiga grabbed his second and England's seventh after a storming 70-metre run from Genge, who left white-shirted defenders scattered in his wake like tenpins.
Quill was rightly dismissed by Australian referee Nic Berry for his charge on Farrell before a late consolation score from Bryce Campbell with the clock red.
Man of the match: George Ford
Ford scored the opening try in the sixth minute as England dominated from the start
A smart try and 10 points from the tee capped a confident display, England's skipper for the night making the most of the time given him by his dominant pack.
What they said
England head coach Eddie Jones: "The conditions were such it was like a wet weather game but we found our rhythm and tempo really well in the second half. We made some handling mistakes but we will improve.
"They had 14 players in the line and it was hard to get a numerical advantage. As soon as we started to play through them we were much better."
England World Cup winner Matt Dawson on Radio 5 Live: "The highlight for me was the discipline. I think there were only three penalties, that were all in the first half. It is in stark contrast to where they were last week and the team needed to move on.
"If they can get anywhere near four or five penalties against Argentina, they will blow them away. If they keep progressing like that, they are going to be a difficult team to beat."
Standings
Stats
England: Daly; McConnochie, Joseph, Francis, Cokanasiga; Ford (capt), Heinz; Marler, Cowan-Dickie, Cole, Launchbury, Kruis, Curry, Ludlam, B Vunipola.
Replacements: Singleton, Genge, Sinckler, Lawes, Wilson, Youngs, Farrell, Watson.
United States: Hooley; Scully (capt), Brache, Lasike, Iosefo; MacGinty, Davies; Ainuu, Taufete'e, Lamositele, Landry, Civetta, Lamborn, Quill, Dolan.
Replacements: Fawsitt, Kilifi, Mullen, Peterson, Germishuys, De Haas, Campbell, Te'o.
Swami
By Tom Fordyce
2019 Rugby World Cup: England v United States
England: (19) 45
Tries: Cokanasiga 2, Ford, Vunipola, Cowan-Dickie, McConnochie, Ludlam Cons: Ford 5
United States: (0) 7
Try: Campbell Con: MacGinty
Red card: Quill
England hit their World Cup straps with a seven-try demolition of the USA to make it two bonus-point wins from two.
Billy Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie scored first-half tries from driving mauls after skipper George Ford went under the posts after six minutes.
Four more in the second half - two from Joe Cokanasiga, one apiece from latecomers Ruaridh McConnochie and Lewis Ludlum - were a fitting reward for a much-improved performance in the heat and humidity of Kobe.
In a World Cup becoming defined by safe tackling technique, US flanker John Quill was sent off for a horrible shoulder charge on replacement Owen Farrell, the England talisman lucky not to suffer serious injury.
But the man Farrell had come on for, Piers Francis, may himself face retrospective action after a questionable challenge in the opening moments of the game.
England's set-piece was dominant, the US forwards unable to cope at the scrum or to find an answer when their opponents set the maul.
Tougher tests lie ahead in the shape of Argentina and France but England will travel to Tokyo this weekend in much improved mood.
- Farrell 'missing half his nose' - Jones
- England v United States - reaction
- World Cup tables
- Fixtures and results
Joe Cokanasiga scored two of England's four tries in the second half
Eddie Jones had promised a fast start and his team delivered, Ford slicing through a stretched defence on the angle - after Vunipola's initial run and Francis's foray down the left - to touch down under the posts.
Four penalties conceded in the first 15 minutes slowed the charge, World Cup debutant Willie Heinz over-exuberant and indisciplined at a scrum and ruck and then spilling the ball forward with England three metres out.
But with Ford pulling the strings England kicked a penalty to the corner, Cowan-Dickie went to Tom Curry at the back of the line-out and Vunipola rumbled over at the back of the driving maul.
The US pack was splintering at the set-piece, and after Ford kicked a scrum penalty into touch, another maul sent Cowan-Dickie in for a replica try down the right.
And England nearly had their fourth try just before the interval as Ford's cute chip was gathered by Jonathan Joseph, Cokanasiga not able to gather the centre's pass with the line beckoning.
Their 19-0 half-time lead was a fair reflection of the balance of power, England with 66% of possession and 76% territory.
Bolters make their mark on World Cup
Owen Farrell carried on after receiving medical attention following a dangerous high tackle
Jones took off Vunipola, Dan Cole and Joe Marler at the break with Mark Wilson, Kyle Sinckler and Ellis Genge coming into the fray.
Sinckler and Wilson combined beautifully in midfield before Joseph's dummy foxed the remaining cover, the centre stepping and spinning to within two metres before Cokanasinga crashed over.
On came Farrell, Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes, Jones trying to manage the workload on his players with the short turnaround between games.
Winger McConnochie blew one opening when he opted to step in rather than pin his ears back for the corner, but the late bolter for England's World Cup squad made amends moments later as he rolled in after England ran another scrum penalty.
Ludlum was another who was nowhere near this team six months ago yet his dynamic performance was capped with a try of his own after Ford's sidestep down the left.
And Cokanasiga grabbed his second and England's seventh after a storming 70-metre run from Genge, who left white-shirted defenders scattered in his wake like tenpins.
Quill was rightly dismissed by Australian referee Nic Berry for his charge on Farrell before a late consolation score from Bryce Campbell with the clock red.
Man of the match: George Ford
Ford scored the opening try in the sixth minute as England dominated from the start
A smart try and 10 points from the tee capped a confident display, England's skipper for the night making the most of the time given him by his dominant pack.
What they said
England head coach Eddie Jones: "The conditions were such it was like a wet weather game but we found our rhythm and tempo really well in the second half. We made some handling mistakes but we will improve.
"They had 14 players in the line and it was hard to get a numerical advantage. As soon as we started to play through them we were much better."
England World Cup winner Matt Dawson on Radio 5 Live: "The highlight for me was the discipline. I think there were only three penalties, that were all in the first half. It is in stark contrast to where they were last week and the team needed to move on.
"If they can get anywhere near four or five penalties against Argentina, they will blow them away. If they keep progressing like that, they are going to be a difficult team to beat."
Standings
Stats
- England had gone 240 minutes without conceding a try in World Cup matches before Campbell scored at the end
- England have won all 18 of their World Cup matches against non-tier one opposition, those wins coming by an average margin of 41 points.
- England's tally of 54 defenders beaten is the second most they have managed in a World Cup match (60 v Uruguay in 2003).
- George Ford scored one and assisted two tries in this match, the first England fly-half to score a try and assist another in a World Cup match.
- Joe Cokanasiga gained over 75 metres with the ball in hand for the sixth time in seven starts for England.
- Ben Youngs and Dan Cole won their 91st England caps, drawing level with Jonny Wilkinson as the joint third most capped England players in Test history, behind Jason Leonard (114) and Dylan Hartley (97).
England: Daly; McConnochie, Joseph, Francis, Cokanasiga; Ford (capt), Heinz; Marler, Cowan-Dickie, Cole, Launchbury, Kruis, Curry, Ludlam, B Vunipola.
Replacements: Singleton, Genge, Sinckler, Lawes, Wilson, Youngs, Farrell, Watson.
United States: Hooley; Scully (capt), Brache, Lasike, Iosefo; MacGinty, Davies; Ainuu, Taufete'e, Lamositele, Landry, Civetta, Lamborn, Quill, Dolan.
Replacements: Fawsitt, Kilifi, Mullen, Peterson, Germishuys, De Haas, Campbell, Te'o.
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Argentina 28-12 Tonga: Pumas cruise to first win of World Cup
Argentina wrapped up the bonus-point within 25 minutes in Higashiosaka
2019 Rugby World Cup: Argentina v Tonga
Argentina: (28) 28
Tries: Montoya 3, Carreras Cons: Urdapilleta 4
Tonga: (7) 12
Tries: Veainu 2 Cons: Takulua
Argentina claimed their first win of their World Cup Pool C campaign with a bonus-point victory over Tonga.
The Pumas started brightly as Julian Montoya scored the opening two tries, with Santiago Carreras adding a third.
Hooker Montoya completed his hat-trick to secure the bonus-point in the 25th minute before Telusa Veainu scored Tonga's first try of the tournament.
Veainu crossed again after a neat backs move following the break but the Pumas remained resolute in Higashiosaka.
The Polynesian kingdom will be encouraged by their spirited response after the interval, scoring the only try of the half when full-back Veainu dived in the corner after a delicate offload by Cooper Vuna.
The results sees the Pumas move into second in Pool C, four points behind England, who they face in Tokyo on Saturday, 5 October (09:00 BST).
Tonga are in next in action against France on 6 October (08:45).
Teams
Argentina: Boffelli; Moroni, Orlando, de la Fuente, Carreras; Urdapilleta, Cubelli; Tetaz Chaparro, Montoya, Figallo, Petti, Lavanini, Matera, Kremer, Lezana.
Replacements: Creevy, Vivas, Medrano, Alemanno, Ortega Desio, Ezcurra, Sanchez, Delguy.
Tonga: Veainu; Lolohea, Hingano, Piutau, Halaifonua; Faiva, Takulua; Fisiihoi, Ngauamo, Tameifuna, Lousi, L. Fifita, Kalamafoni, Kapeli, Vaipulu.
Replacements: Sakalia, V. Fifita, Fia, Mafi, Manu, Fukofuka, Fosita, Vuna.
Swami
Argentina wrapped up the bonus-point within 25 minutes in Higashiosaka
2019 Rugby World Cup: Argentina v Tonga
Argentina: (28) 28
Tries: Montoya 3, Carreras Cons: Urdapilleta 4
Tonga: (7) 12
Tries: Veainu 2 Cons: Takulua
Argentina claimed their first win of their World Cup Pool C campaign with a bonus-point victory over Tonga.
The Pumas started brightly as Julian Montoya scored the opening two tries, with Santiago Carreras adding a third.
Hooker Montoya completed his hat-trick to secure the bonus-point in the 25th minute before Telusa Veainu scored Tonga's first try of the tournament.
Veainu crossed again after a neat backs move following the break but the Pumas remained resolute in Higashiosaka.
- Live text coverage of Japan v Ireland
- Rugby World Cup: 'England's George Ford still to prove credentials'
- World Cup tables
The Polynesian kingdom will be encouraged by their spirited response after the interval, scoring the only try of the half when full-back Veainu dived in the corner after a delicate offload by Cooper Vuna.
The results sees the Pumas move into second in Pool C, four points behind England, who they face in Tokyo on Saturday, 5 October (09:00 BST).
Tonga are in next in action against France on 6 October (08:45).
Teams
Argentina: Boffelli; Moroni, Orlando, de la Fuente, Carreras; Urdapilleta, Cubelli; Tetaz Chaparro, Montoya, Figallo, Petti, Lavanini, Matera, Kremer, Lezana.
Replacements: Creevy, Vivas, Medrano, Alemanno, Ortega Desio, Ezcurra, Sanchez, Delguy.
Tonga: Veainu; Lolohea, Hingano, Piutau, Halaifonua; Faiva, Takulua; Fisiihoi, Ngauamo, Tameifuna, Lousi, L. Fifita, Kalamafoni, Kapeli, Vaipulu.
Replacements: Sakalia, V. Fifita, Fia, Mafi, Manu, Fukofuka, Fosita, Vuna.
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Japan 19-12 Ireland: Dazzling display gives hosts shock victory
By Michael Morrow
Ireland led 12-3 but were eventually outplayed by the tournament hosts
2019 Rugby World Cup Pool A: Japan v Ireland
Japan: (9) 19
Try: Fukuoka Con: Tamura Pens: Tamura 4
Ireland: (12) 12
Tries: Ringrose, R Kearney Con: Carty
Hosts Japan pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Rugby World Cup history as they beat world number two-ranked Ireland 19-12 in Shizuoka.
Tries from Garry Ringrose and Rob Kearney saw Ireland lead at the break, although three Yu Tamura penalties kept the game to within one score.
Replacement Kenki Fukuoka dived over in the corner on 59 minutes to put the Brave Blossoms in front.
Tamura's 72nd-minute penalty sealed a monumental win.
Not since Japan's win over South Africa four years ago in Brighton has rugby witnessed a result that will resound around the world in the way this one will.
This was not a result borne of Irish indiscipline or stage fright, but of a truly stunning Japanese performance in front of a cacophonous crowd that lifted their side with a stunning noise that greeted every metre gained, tackle made and turnover won.
It is a result that will, regardless of what happens in the next six weeks of rugby, leave a legacy for generations to come, and will send rugby into a new stratosphere of popularity within the country.
Garry Ringrose collected Jack Carty's perfect cross-field kick to score the game's first try
Hosts stay true to attacking philosophy
From the start, it became clear that Japan had no interest in curtailing their fast-paced, free-moving mantra against one of the game's most-respected defences.
Only a bad bounce denied Kotaro Matsushima an opening try after four minutes as the hosts stretched Ireland's defence from left to right before Tamura's kick behind nearly paid off.
It looked as though Ireland had weathered an early storm, as Ringrose and Kearney's tries eight minutes apart looked to have bought the favourites some breathing space that could have quietened the Japanese majority inside Stadium Ecopa.
However the fans, and the team, were unrelenting and Japan did not turn to a Plan B.
Another lightning fast move from left to right, a slick one-handed offload from Timothy Lafaele and a kick in behind saw Matsushima again denied by a bouncing ball which this time favoured Josh van der Flier, who did well to set up an Irish exit from under their own posts.
The introduction of Michael Leitch, Japan's already legendary captain whose relegation to the bench was the cause of some controversy in the build-up, sent excitement levels in the stadium to a new level after 31 minutes.
Ireland are ranked number two in the world but proved no match for the tournament hosts
Leitch responded immediately with a shuddering clear-out of Rob Kearney as Japan pressed forward, carrying the momentum towards half-time.
The pressure was eventually rewarded as van der Flier was pinged for impatience at the breakdown, allowing Tamura to narrow the gap to three points at half-time.
The second half carried on in the same way the first had ended: Japan attack, Ireland repel.
The familiar signs that tend to crop-up when Ireland are not functioning began to re-appear - missed line-outs, dropped catches and a knock-on after winning a scrum inside their own 22 as the pressure continued to build.
From the scrum, Japan went left and Fukuoka was sent over in the corner.
Irish script in tatters
From an Irish perspective, there was little to fear off the back of a physically dominant performance over Scotland a week ago.
The feeling, after a year of struggling to hit the heights of 2018, was that Joe Schmidt's side were nearing at peak at just the right time.
Indeed, even an injury to long-time talisman Johnny Sexton did little to halt the feel-good factor in the camp.
Jack Carty, on only his second international start, began well and showed little fear with his nerveless kicks from hand leading to the two Irish tries.
The shock result in Shizuoka was Japan's first-ever Test win over Ireland
Inside the opening 20 minutes, Rory Best was on target with all six of his line-out throws.
Everything that had to go to plan was going that way - but what followed was not something that many could have expected.
Aside from their two scores, the vast majority of Ireland's time was spent in defence in the energy-sapping afternoon heat.
What began as a typically efficient performance began to unravel as errors slipped into their the game.
Carty was guilty of kicking a restart dead before the Irish pack, totally dominant six days ago, were turned over on their own scrum as Japan began to smell blood.
Ireland's front-loaded schedule meant that wins in their opening two fixtures would allow some senior players a rest before the probable semi-final.
However now, the five-day turnaround before Thursday's match against Russia becomes a much more daunting task, and the fitness of Sexton, whose composure and defensive solidity was badly missed in the second half, will be placed under the microscope far more than it would have been had they got the job done in Shizuoka.
Match stats
Japan: Yamanaka, Matsushima, Lafaele, Nakamura, Lemeki, Tamura, Nagare, Inagaki, Horie, Koo, Thompson, Moore, Himeno, Labuschagne, Mafi.
Replacements: Fukuoka, Tanaka, Nakajima, Ai Valu, van der Walt, Leitch, Sakate, Matsuda.
Ireland: Kearney, Earls, Ringrose, Farrell, Stockdale, Carty, Murray, Healy, Best, Furlong, Henderson, J. Ryan, O'Mahony, van der Flier, Stander.
Replacements: McGrath, Larmour, Carbery, Kilcoyne, Cronin, Porter, Beirne, Ruddock.
Swami
By Michael Morrow
Ireland led 12-3 but were eventually outplayed by the tournament hosts
2019 Rugby World Cup Pool A: Japan v Ireland
Japan: (9) 19
Try: Fukuoka Con: Tamura Pens: Tamura 4
Ireland: (12) 12
Tries: Ringrose, R Kearney Con: Carty
Hosts Japan pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Rugby World Cup history as they beat world number two-ranked Ireland 19-12 in Shizuoka.
Tries from Garry Ringrose and Rob Kearney saw Ireland lead at the break, although three Yu Tamura penalties kept the game to within one score.
Replacement Kenki Fukuoka dived over in the corner on 59 minutes to put the Brave Blossoms in front.
Tamura's 72nd-minute penalty sealed a monumental win.
Not since Japan's win over South Africa four years ago in Brighton has rugby witnessed a result that will resound around the world in the way this one will.
This was not a result borne of Irish indiscipline or stage fright, but of a truly stunning Japanese performance in front of a cacophonous crowd that lifted their side with a stunning noise that greeted every metre gained, tackle made and turnover won.
It is a result that will, regardless of what happens in the next six weeks of rugby, leave a legacy for generations to come, and will send rugby into a new stratosphere of popularity within the country.
Garry Ringrose collected Jack Carty's perfect cross-field kick to score the game's first try
Hosts stay true to attacking philosophy
From the start, it became clear that Japan had no interest in curtailing their fast-paced, free-moving mantra against one of the game's most-respected defences.
Only a bad bounce denied Kotaro Matsushima an opening try after four minutes as the hosts stretched Ireland's defence from left to right before Tamura's kick behind nearly paid off.
It looked as though Ireland had weathered an early storm, as Ringrose and Kearney's tries eight minutes apart looked to have bought the favourites some breathing space that could have quietened the Japanese majority inside Stadium Ecopa.
However the fans, and the team, were unrelenting and Japan did not turn to a Plan B.
Another lightning fast move from left to right, a slick one-handed offload from Timothy Lafaele and a kick in behind saw Matsushima again denied by a bouncing ball which this time favoured Josh van der Flier, who did well to set up an Irish exit from under their own posts.
The introduction of Michael Leitch, Japan's already legendary captain whose relegation to the bench was the cause of some controversy in the build-up, sent excitement levels in the stadium to a new level after 31 minutes.
Ireland are ranked number two in the world but proved no match for the tournament hosts
Leitch responded immediately with a shuddering clear-out of Rob Kearney as Japan pressed forward, carrying the momentum towards half-time.
The pressure was eventually rewarded as van der Flier was pinged for impatience at the breakdown, allowing Tamura to narrow the gap to three points at half-time.
The second half carried on in the same way the first had ended: Japan attack, Ireland repel.
The familiar signs that tend to crop-up when Ireland are not functioning began to re-appear - missed line-outs, dropped catches and a knock-on after winning a scrum inside their own 22 as the pressure continued to build.
From the scrum, Japan went left and Fukuoka was sent over in the corner.
Irish script in tatters
From an Irish perspective, there was little to fear off the back of a physically dominant performance over Scotland a week ago.
The feeling, after a year of struggling to hit the heights of 2018, was that Joe Schmidt's side were nearing at peak at just the right time.
Indeed, even an injury to long-time talisman Johnny Sexton did little to halt the feel-good factor in the camp.
Jack Carty, on only his second international start, began well and showed little fear with his nerveless kicks from hand leading to the two Irish tries.
The shock result in Shizuoka was Japan's first-ever Test win over Ireland
Inside the opening 20 minutes, Rory Best was on target with all six of his line-out throws.
Everything that had to go to plan was going that way - but what followed was not something that many could have expected.
Aside from their two scores, the vast majority of Ireland's time was spent in defence in the energy-sapping afternoon heat.
What began as a typically efficient performance began to unravel as errors slipped into their the game.
Carty was guilty of kicking a restart dead before the Irish pack, totally dominant six days ago, were turned over on their own scrum as Japan began to smell blood.
Ireland's front-loaded schedule meant that wins in their opening two fixtures would allow some senior players a rest before the probable semi-final.
However now, the five-day turnaround before Thursday's match against Russia becomes a much more daunting task, and the fitness of Sexton, whose composure and defensive solidity was badly missed in the second half, will be placed under the microscope far more than it would have been had they got the job done in Shizuoka.
Match stats
- This was Japan's first ever victory against Ireland in Test rugby. They had lost each of their previous seven by an average margin of 31 points.
- Three of Ireland's last four pool stage defeats at the Rugby World Cup have come against the host nation, also losing to Australia in 2003 and France in 2007 (also v Argentina in 2007).
- Japan have won five of their last six matches at the Rugby World Cup, this after winning just one of their initial 24 matches at the tournament.
- Ireland lost to a non-Tier 1 nation at the Rugby World Cup for the first time, having won each of their previous 15 such games.
- Japan won a Rugby World Cup match after trailing at half-time for just the second time in 24 attempts.
- Rob Kearney has scored four tries in his last five Rugby World Cup games. He has five tries in the tournament overall, only Keith Earls (8) and Brian O'Driscoll (7) have more for Ireland.
- Garry Ringrose has scored in each of his three Test appearances against Japan, crossing three times in total, more than he's scored against any other nation.
- No side has lost a match at the Rugby World Cup and gone on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
Japan: Yamanaka, Matsushima, Lafaele, Nakamura, Lemeki, Tamura, Nagare, Inagaki, Horie, Koo, Thompson, Moore, Himeno, Labuschagne, Mafi.
Replacements: Fukuoka, Tanaka, Nakajima, Ai Valu, van der Walt, Leitch, Sakate, Matsuda.
Ireland: Kearney, Earls, Ringrose, Farrell, Stockdale, Carty, Murray, Healy, Best, Furlong, Henderson, J. Ryan, O'Mahony, van der Flier, Stander.
Replacements: McGrath, Larmour, Carbery, Kilcoyne, Cronin, Porter, Beirne, Ruddock.
Swami
- Awards
- 3
South Africa 57-3 Namibia: Springboks score nine tries in Rugby World Cup rout
Makazole Mapimpi scored his ninth and 10th international try in 10 Tests
2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B: South Africa v Namibia
South Africa (31) 57
Tries: Mbonambi (2), Louw, Mapimpi (2), Am, Gelant, Kolisi, Brits Cons: E Jantjies (6)
Namibia (3) 3
Pen: Loubser
South Africa scored nine tries in a predictably one-sided drubbing of neighbours Namibia in their second Rugby World Cup outing.
Hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi ploughed over for two scores as the Springboks built a 28-point lead by the interval.
There was no let-up after the break with Warrick Gelant going over before scores for Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Kolisi and Schalk Brits.
Namibia's only points came via a solitary penalty from Cliven Loubser.
Things will not get any easier for the lowest-ranked side in the Rugby World Cup - in their next encounter, in eight days' time, they meet world number ones and two-time defending champions New Zealand in Tokyo.
South Africa's next match is a meeting with Italy in Shizuoka on Friday.
Springboks run rampant
After the bruising 23-13 defeat to the All Blacks in their opening match of the tournament, South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes to his starting XV with only Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi retaining their places.
It allowed Erasmus to take a look a some options that he may need later in his campaign, such as back-row fetchers Kwagga Smith and Francois Louw, and others that are unlikely to be required, like 38-year-old hooker Schalk Brits reprising a number eight role he last played a decade ago.
The Springboks duly used the match to polish up their drills and skills for tougher tests to come, with a couple of driven line-outs proving irresistible in the first half and full-back Warrick Gelant rounding off a superb counter-attack score early in the second half.
Defence coach Jacques Nienaber had promised before the match that there was "no points limit" set for South Africa, but Namibia's stubborn defence was unbroken in the final 17 minutes as the contest lost shape and rhythm.
Namibia close the gap, slowly
The defeat may have been heavy, but Namibia, whose squad is made up of 70% amateurs, are getting closer to their powerhouse neighbours.
In 2007 and 2011, their only previous meetings with South Africa, they lost by 92 and 87 points respectively.
The 54-point margin might have been slimmer had replacement Johannes Coetzee not been sin-binned for a blatant shoulder charge on Brits.
Their improvement could also be in part attributed to their opponents, Namibia having trained with South African provincial side Sharks and been invited into the second tier of South Africa's domestic Currie Cup competition.
Swami
Makazole Mapimpi scored his ninth and 10th international try in 10 Tests
2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B: South Africa v Namibia
South Africa (31) 57
Tries: Mbonambi (2), Louw, Mapimpi (2), Am, Gelant, Kolisi, Brits Cons: E Jantjies (6)
Namibia (3) 3
Pen: Loubser
South Africa scored nine tries in a predictably one-sided drubbing of neighbours Namibia in their second Rugby World Cup outing.
Hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi ploughed over for two scores as the Springboks built a 28-point lead by the interval.
There was no let-up after the break with Warrick Gelant going over before scores for Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Kolisi and Schalk Brits.
Namibia's only points came via a solitary penalty from Cliven Loubser.
Things will not get any easier for the lowest-ranked side in the Rugby World Cup - in their next encounter, in eight days' time, they meet world number ones and two-time defending champions New Zealand in Tokyo.
South Africa's next match is a meeting with Italy in Shizuoka on Friday.
Springboks run rampant
After the bruising 23-13 defeat to the All Blacks in their opening match of the tournament, South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes to his starting XV with only Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi retaining their places.
It allowed Erasmus to take a look a some options that he may need later in his campaign, such as back-row fetchers Kwagga Smith and Francois Louw, and others that are unlikely to be required, like 38-year-old hooker Schalk Brits reprising a number eight role he last played a decade ago.
The Springboks duly used the match to polish up their drills and skills for tougher tests to come, with a couple of driven line-outs proving irresistible in the first half and full-back Warrick Gelant rounding off a superb counter-attack score early in the second half.
Defence coach Jacques Nienaber had promised before the match that there was "no points limit" set for South Africa, but Namibia's stubborn defence was unbroken in the final 17 minutes as the contest lost shape and rhythm.
Namibia close the gap, slowly
The defeat may have been heavy, but Namibia, whose squad is made up of 70% amateurs, are getting closer to their powerhouse neighbours.
In 2007 and 2011, their only previous meetings with South Africa, they lost by 92 and 87 points respectively.
The 54-point margin might have been slimmer had replacement Johannes Coetzee not been sin-binned for a blatant shoulder charge on Brits.
Their improvement could also be in part attributed to their opponents, Namibia having trained with South African provincial side Sharks and been invited into the second tier of South Africa's domestic Currie Cup competition.
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Georgia 33-7 Uruguay: Lelos claim bonus-point win
Georgia hooker Jaba Bregvadze crossed in the second half
2019 Rugby World Cup: Georgia v Uruguay
Georgia (12) 33
Tries: Todua, Giorgadze, Chilachava, Bregvadze, Kveseladze Cons: Abzhandadze 5
Uruguay: (7) 7
Tries: Vilaseca Con: Berchesi
Georgia overpowered Uruguay in a hot and humid Kumagaya to record their first victory of the World Cup.
Uruguay, who stunned Fiji in their opening game, were no match for a Lelos side that ran in five tries to claim a bonus point.
Alexander Todua and Otari Giorgadze crossed in the first half, with further scores from Levan Chilachava, Jaba Bregvadze and Giorgi Kveseladze.
Sweltering conditions also saw the use of the tournament's first water breaks.
Andres Vilaseca's converted try for Uruguay kept the deficit at five points at half-time, before Georgia's fitness and physicality shone through.
Uruguay ended the match with 14 men after Facundo Gattas was sent off by referee Wayne Barnes for a high tackle two minutes from time.
Georgia, who lost to Wales in their opening match, move up to third in Pool D on five points and face Fiji next before playing Australia.
Uruguay, meanwhile, still have the Wallabies and Wales to play.
Georgia: Khmaladze, Dzneladze, Kveseladze, Malaguradze, Todua; Abzhandadze, Aprasidze; Gogichashvili, Bregvadze, Chilachava, Lomidze, Mikautadze, Sutiashvili, Saginadze, Giorgadze.
Replacements: Karkadze, Gigashvili, Melikidze, Gorgodze, Gorgadze, Lobzhanidze, Sharikadze, Matiashvili.
Uruguay: Mieres, Freitas, Manuel Cat, Vilaseca, Silva; Berchesi, Arata; Sanguinetti, Kessler, Rombys, Dotti, Leindekar, Gaminara, Civetta, Nieto.
Replacements: Gattas, Echeverria, Garcia, Magno, Ormaechea, Ardao, Ormaechea, Leivas.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (Eng).
Swami
Georgia hooker Jaba Bregvadze crossed in the second half
2019 Rugby World Cup: Georgia v Uruguay
Georgia (12) 33
Tries: Todua, Giorgadze, Chilachava, Bregvadze, Kveseladze Cons: Abzhandadze 5
Uruguay: (7) 7
Tries: Vilaseca Con: Berchesi
Georgia overpowered Uruguay in a hot and humid Kumagaya to record their first victory of the World Cup.
Uruguay, who stunned Fiji in their opening game, were no match for a Lelos side that ran in five tries to claim a bonus point.
Alexander Todua and Otari Giorgadze crossed in the first half, with further scores from Levan Chilachava, Jaba Bregvadze and Giorgi Kveseladze.
Sweltering conditions also saw the use of the tournament's first water breaks.
Andres Vilaseca's converted try for Uruguay kept the deficit at five points at half-time, before Georgia's fitness and physicality shone through.
Uruguay ended the match with 14 men after Facundo Gattas was sent off by referee Wayne Barnes for a high tackle two minutes from time.
Georgia, who lost to Wales in their opening match, move up to third in Pool D on five points and face Fiji next before playing Australia.
Uruguay, meanwhile, still have the Wallabies and Wales to play.
Georgia: Khmaladze, Dzneladze, Kveseladze, Malaguradze, Todua; Abzhandadze, Aprasidze; Gogichashvili, Bregvadze, Chilachava, Lomidze, Mikautadze, Sutiashvili, Saginadze, Giorgadze.
Replacements: Karkadze, Gigashvili, Melikidze, Gorgodze, Gorgadze, Lobzhanidze, Sharikadze, Matiashvili.
Uruguay: Mieres, Freitas, Manuel Cat, Vilaseca, Silva; Berchesi, Arata; Sanguinetti, Kessler, Rombys, Dotti, Leindekar, Gaminara, Civetta, Nieto.
Replacements: Gattas, Echeverria, Garcia, Magno, Ormaechea, Ardao, Ormaechea, Leivas.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (Eng).
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Australia 25-29 Wales: Gatland's men hold out to win thriller
By Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales in Tokyo
George North is tackled high against Australia
2019 Rugby World Cup: Australia v Wales
Australia (8) 25
Tries: Ashley-Cooper, Haylett-Petty, Hooper Cons: Toomua 2 Pens: Foley, Toomua
Wales (23) 29
Tries: Parkes, G Davies Cons: Patchell, Biggar Pens: Patchell 3 Drop-goals: Biggar, Patchell
Wales overcame Australia in an utterly enthralling encounter in Tokyo to secure a second win from their opening two Rugby World Cup games.
In a breathless start to the match, Wales burst out of the blocks to lead 10-0 thanks to Hadleigh Parkes' try and Dan Biggar's measured kicking.
Australia fought back with a try of their own from a cross-field kick as Adam Ashley-Cooper touched down, but then Gareth Davies intercepted a pass from Will Genia before sprinting to clear to give Wales a 23-8 half-time lead.
Dane Haylett-Petty's try early in the second half renewed Australian hope and brought to Welsh minds a foreboding sense of history repeating against a team who had beaten them agonisingly on so many occasions.
Those fears deepened as Michael Hooper drove over from close range and Matt Toomua kicked a penalty to reduce the Wallabies' deficit to 26-25, only for replacement Rhys Patchell to kick his fourth penalty to restore Wales' lead to four points.
Warren Gatland's side effectively had to navigate the final few moments with 14 men as full-back Liam Williams soldiered on with an injury, but they dug in admirably to record a famous victory.
With two wins from their first two matches, Wales are now in pole position to finish top of Pool D and earn themselves a potentially more favourable draw in the knockout stages.
Another Wales-Wallaby classic
Dan Biggar was forced off after this tackle on Samu Kerevi
Given the high stakes and the enduring rivalry the two sides had developed over the past decade, this fixture was among the most hotly anticipated of the World Cup pool stage.
It lived up to the hype - and then some - as both teams contributed to an absorbing, emotionally draining spectacle.
Welsh fans had travelled in their thousands to Tokyo, but they were outnumbered by vast swathes of yellow shirts to such an extent that this felt like a home fixture for Australia before kick-off.
Wales fed on the electric atmosphere as they made a blistering start, back-row dynamo Aaron Wainwright counter-rucking brilliantly to give Biggar the opportunity to put Wales ahead with a drop-goal after less than a minute.
Gatland's side maintained the furious pace as their forwards competed ferociously at the breakdown with Australia's masters of that particular area, Hooper and David Pocock.
That gave Wales the necessary speed of delivery to bring their backs into the contest, with Jonathan Davies and George North punching holes in the Australian midfield.
Playing with penalty advantage, Biggar lofted a cross-field kick to the right wing and Parkes rose above Marika Koroibete to grab the ball and touch down for the opening try.
Australia put the brakes on the Welsh charge when Bernard Foley found Ashley-Cooper with a cross-kick, but it was the men in red who had the final say of the half as Davies latched on to Genia's pass and sped away to give Wales their largest ever half-time advantage over the Wallabies.
Even with a 15-point cushion, however, Wales knew they could take nothing for granted against their old foes.
Wales shake off history's shackles
This has been a fixture which has brought heartbreak for Wales in most recent years, usually by tortuously narrow margins.
Between 2008 and 2018, they suffered 13 successive defeats against the Wallabies, with only two of those losses by more than nine points.
Last November, however, they arrested that rut with a gritty 9-6 victory in Cardiff.
That was a cathartic moment for Wales and, in Tokyo, they played with a freedom that suggested they had thrown away the shackles that seemed to weigh them down over the course of that decade-long losing run.
In Wainwright, Wales had a 22-year-old who had never lost against Australia and a player who announced himself as one of the emerging stars of this World Cup with a remarkable display of hard tackling, powerful carrying and disruptive work at the breakdown.
In Biggar, they had a player who had helped them secure victory against the Wallabies last year and who started this match imperiously, kicking at goal with his usual composure, setting up Parkes' try and defending bravely.
He did so to a fault, injuring himself as he tackled the destructive Samu Kerevi. Biggar's replacement, Rhys Patchell, another who had never lost to Australia, rose to the challenge with a fearless performance, particularly with the boot.
But like a recurring nightmare, back came Australia.
They started the second half superbly, dominating possession and territory as they pinned Wales back on their own try line.
Haylett-Petty was the benefactor of one particularly flowing sequence of phases, scoring from Pocock's offload.
And then after another series of drives set the platform for Hooper to burrow over for Australia's third try, replacement Toomua kicked a penalty to reduce Wales' lead to 26-25.
This was too much to take for Wales' supporters, while it was a minor miracle that their players could hold their nerve in such draining circumstances.
But they did so magnificently, holding on to their lead for dear life to keep alive their hopes of winning a first World Cup.
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Gareth Davies. The man who sets the pace for Wales' line speed in defence was at his irresistible best, capping off an all-action display with a brilliant try.
Wales: L Williams; North, Jonathan Davies, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; Wyn Jones, Owens, Francis, Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (C), Wainwright, Tipuric, Navidi.
Replacements: Smith, Dee, Lewis, Shingler, Moriarty, T Williams, Patchell, Watkin.
Australia: Haylett-Petty; Ashley-Cooper, O'Connor, Kerevi, Koroibete; Foley, Genia; Sio, Latu, Alaalatoa, Rodda, Arnold, Pocock, Naisarani, Hooper (C)
Replacements: Uelese, Slipper, Kepu, Coleman, Salakaia-Loto, White, To'omua, Beale.
Officials: Referee, Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Ben O'Keefe (New Zealand), Mathew Carley (England)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
Swami
By Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales in Tokyo
George North is tackled high against Australia
2019 Rugby World Cup: Australia v Wales
Australia (8) 25
Tries: Ashley-Cooper, Haylett-Petty, Hooper Cons: Toomua 2 Pens: Foley, Toomua
Wales (23) 29
Tries: Parkes, G Davies Cons: Patchell, Biggar Pens: Patchell 3 Drop-goals: Biggar, Patchell
Wales overcame Australia in an utterly enthralling encounter in Tokyo to secure a second win from their opening two Rugby World Cup games.
In a breathless start to the match, Wales burst out of the blocks to lead 10-0 thanks to Hadleigh Parkes' try and Dan Biggar's measured kicking.
Australia fought back with a try of their own from a cross-field kick as Adam Ashley-Cooper touched down, but then Gareth Davies intercepted a pass from Will Genia before sprinting to clear to give Wales a 23-8 half-time lead.
Dane Haylett-Petty's try early in the second half renewed Australian hope and brought to Welsh minds a foreboding sense of history repeating against a team who had beaten them agonisingly on so many occasions.
Those fears deepened as Michael Hooper drove over from close range and Matt Toomua kicked a penalty to reduce the Wallabies' deficit to 26-25, only for replacement Rhys Patchell to kick his fourth penalty to restore Wales' lead to four points.
Warren Gatland's side effectively had to navigate the final few moments with 14 men as full-back Liam Williams soldiered on with an injury, but they dug in admirably to record a famous victory.
With two wins from their first two matches, Wales are now in pole position to finish top of Pool D and earn themselves a potentially more favourable draw in the knockout stages.
Another Wales-Wallaby classic
Dan Biggar was forced off after this tackle on Samu Kerevi
Given the high stakes and the enduring rivalry the two sides had developed over the past decade, this fixture was among the most hotly anticipated of the World Cup pool stage.
It lived up to the hype - and then some - as both teams contributed to an absorbing, emotionally draining spectacle.
Welsh fans had travelled in their thousands to Tokyo, but they were outnumbered by vast swathes of yellow shirts to such an extent that this felt like a home fixture for Australia before kick-off.
Wales fed on the electric atmosphere as they made a blistering start, back-row dynamo Aaron Wainwright counter-rucking brilliantly to give Biggar the opportunity to put Wales ahead with a drop-goal after less than a minute.
Gatland's side maintained the furious pace as their forwards competed ferociously at the breakdown with Australia's masters of that particular area, Hooper and David Pocock.
That gave Wales the necessary speed of delivery to bring their backs into the contest, with Jonathan Davies and George North punching holes in the Australian midfield.
Playing with penalty advantage, Biggar lofted a cross-field kick to the right wing and Parkes rose above Marika Koroibete to grab the ball and touch down for the opening try.
Australia put the brakes on the Welsh charge when Bernard Foley found Ashley-Cooper with a cross-kick, but it was the men in red who had the final say of the half as Davies latched on to Genia's pass and sped away to give Wales their largest ever half-time advantage over the Wallabies.
Even with a 15-point cushion, however, Wales knew they could take nothing for granted against their old foes.
Wales shake off history's shackles
This has been a fixture which has brought heartbreak for Wales in most recent years, usually by tortuously narrow margins.
Between 2008 and 2018, they suffered 13 successive defeats against the Wallabies, with only two of those losses by more than nine points.
Last November, however, they arrested that rut with a gritty 9-6 victory in Cardiff.
That was a cathartic moment for Wales and, in Tokyo, they played with a freedom that suggested they had thrown away the shackles that seemed to weigh them down over the course of that decade-long losing run.
In Wainwright, Wales had a 22-year-old who had never lost against Australia and a player who announced himself as one of the emerging stars of this World Cup with a remarkable display of hard tackling, powerful carrying and disruptive work at the breakdown.
In Biggar, they had a player who had helped them secure victory against the Wallabies last year and who started this match imperiously, kicking at goal with his usual composure, setting up Parkes' try and defending bravely.
He did so to a fault, injuring himself as he tackled the destructive Samu Kerevi. Biggar's replacement, Rhys Patchell, another who had never lost to Australia, rose to the challenge with a fearless performance, particularly with the boot.
But like a recurring nightmare, back came Australia.
They started the second half superbly, dominating possession and territory as they pinned Wales back on their own try line.
Haylett-Petty was the benefactor of one particularly flowing sequence of phases, scoring from Pocock's offload.
And then after another series of drives set the platform for Hooper to burrow over for Australia's third try, replacement Toomua kicked a penalty to reduce Wales' lead to 26-25.
This was too much to take for Wales' supporters, while it was a minor miracle that their players could hold their nerve in such draining circumstances.
But they did so magnificently, holding on to their lead for dear life to keep alive their hopes of winning a first World Cup.
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Gareth Davies. The man who sets the pace for Wales' line speed in defence was at his irresistible best, capping off an all-action display with a brilliant try.
Wales: L Williams; North, Jonathan Davies, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; Wyn Jones, Owens, Francis, Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (C), Wainwright, Tipuric, Navidi.
Replacements: Smith, Dee, Lewis, Shingler, Moriarty, T Williams, Patchell, Watkin.
Australia: Haylett-Petty; Ashley-Cooper, O'Connor, Kerevi, Koroibete; Foley, Genia; Sio, Latu, Alaalatoa, Rodda, Arnold, Pocock, Naisarani, Hooper (C)
Replacements: Uelese, Slipper, Kepu, Coleman, Salakaia-Loto, White, To'omua, Beale.
Officials: Referee, Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Ben O'Keefe (New Zealand), Mathew Carley (England)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Scotland 34-0 Samoa: Gregor Townsend's side earn bonus-point victory
By Tom English
2019 Rugby World Cup: Scotland v Samoa
Scotland (20) 34
Tries: Maitland, Laidlaw Penalty tries: 2 Penalty: Laidlaw Cons: Laidlaw 2 Drop goal: Hogg
Samoa (0) 0
No scores
Scotland's controlled performance ensured a bonus-point victory over Samoa that revives their hopes of progressing from World Cup Pool A.
Gregor Townsend's side needed to recover from a poor opening defeat by Ireland, whose subsequent loss to Japan was a further blow to their chances.
But first-half tries from Sean Maitland and Greg Laidlaw and a Stuart Hogg drop goal put the Scots in command in stifling conditions in Kobe, with two penalty tries after half-time ensuring the extra point they craved.
The Scots now move up to third in the Pool A behind Japan and Ireland after two games each.
Townsend's team handle heat on and off the pitch
Under the closed roof at the Misaki Stadium, the conditions were as hot and as steamy as a sauna, as stifling and as suffocating as a greenhouse in the Edinburgh Botanics on a hot summer's day. The ball was slippy and passes went down. Lots of them. The organisers of this World Cup have erred here. Enclosing this ground was a strange call.
Scotland endured the most miserable week, but had an anger and a focus about them that stood out a mile. They promised a reaction to the awful loss against Ireland and it was obvious from early on that they were going to deliver it. A new wing, a new centre partnership and a whole new back row, the Scots had energy and aggression by the bucketload, the very qualities that were desperately lacking in their opening game in Yokohama.
That fourth try came late, but it was deserved. Scotland kept their nerve and produced a stirring performance, the kind of battling effort that marks them out as not quite dead in this pool. It was an extraordinarily nervous and difficult night in the conditions, but they emerged. They had to sweat, literally and metaphorically, but they showed huge character and hunger and got the job done.
They went ahead early through a Laidlaw penalty and took a firm hold of the Test. They won the collisions, an absolute must against Samoa, and even though their early dominance took a while to get converted into points, they always looked threatening. The bar of soap that passed as a ball was part of the problem. All night, catching the thing was a challenge.
Scotland's players struggled with their handling in the stifling heat in Kobe
Scotland had a fury that was best represented that new back row. Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Ritchie and Blade Thomson carried hard and often. The Scottish pack felt almost humiliated a week but now they were inflicting some damage of their own. Grant Gilchrist, who spoke emotionally of the "dark place" that the Scots had inhabited for a week, was also a thumping presence in an overwhelming pack.
Their first try came on the half hour and it arrived when Scotland used their aerial game, first with Laidlaw's kick that Samoa struggled to deal with, then a Garryowen that caused more confusion in Samoan ranks. The third boot to ball was Russell's cross kick, off a free play, to Maitland who slipped out of Tusi Pisi's despairing lunge to score.
Laidlaw's conversion gave Scotland a handy 10-point lead. Within five minutes they'd added to it. Russell went though a half-gap and found Ritchie with a cheeky offload. The flanker ran on and found Laidlaw who bounced out of Tim Nanai-Williams' attempted tackle to run in at the posts.
The scrum-half added the conversion before Hogg kept the scoreboard ticking with a booming 40-metre drop goal. Hogg punched the air when his kick sailed up and over. Scotland had at last found themselves.
Scotland liberated from their demons
Samoa were a major disappointment. They offered bravery in defence but nothing in attack. Their best work was done inside their own 22 when scrambling to keep the Scots out. In the final minutes of the opening half they had to fight to avoid conceding a third score when the Scots had a series of lineout mauls, all of them collapsed. The siege was eventually lifted, but Samoa looked a jaded team when that half-time whistle was heard.
At 20-0 the game was done, the biggest task for Scotland being the pursuit of the four-try bonus point they needed so badly. They had chances, so many chances. Russell overthrew a pass to Darcy Graham in a good position, then grubbered to Graham, but that one went south as well.
Samoa eventually caved in. The Scots drove a lineout - their maul caused a heap of trouble all night - and when Fraser Brown looked to have gone over, referee Pascal Gauzere went to his TMO for a closer look. What they saw was Fidow's side entry as Brown went for the line. Penalty try and a yellow for Fidow.
The Scots now needed a single try for that precious bonus and had 25 minutes to get it. Gordon Reid saw glory in grasp and stretched out for a touch down that never came. The prop spilled it. More time ticked by. Seven minutes left now.
Samoa were in Scotland's half. Ulupano Seuteni tried a penalty to touch that would have wound the clock down but made a mess of it and kicked it dead. Respite for the Scots, who charged downfield. The endgame was dramatic as Townsend's team pushed on up the left.
Thomson carried heroically and put Samoa on the back foot. Russell picked it up and Scotland moved on. Maitland was put clear up the wing, dived early for the line under pressure from Fidow and lost possession. The Scottish supporters sank to their knees and then promptly got to their feet when Gauzere got involved.
Gauzere penalised Fidow for clattering knees-first into Maitland as he went for the line. A second yellow - which meant a red - for Fidow and a second penalty try for Scotland. A five-pointer won in the most heart-stopping circumstances. Liberation from the demons of a week ago and much-needed hope in the weeks ahead.
Triumphant Scotland face Russia in their next pool A Test
Swami
By Tom English
2019 Rugby World Cup: Scotland v Samoa
Scotland (20) 34
Tries: Maitland, Laidlaw Penalty tries: 2 Penalty: Laidlaw Cons: Laidlaw 2 Drop goal: Hogg
Samoa (0) 0
No scores
Scotland's controlled performance ensured a bonus-point victory over Samoa that revives their hopes of progressing from World Cup Pool A.
Gregor Townsend's side needed to recover from a poor opening defeat by Ireland, whose subsequent loss to Japan was a further blow to their chances.
But first-half tries from Sean Maitland and Greg Laidlaw and a Stuart Hogg drop goal put the Scots in command in stifling conditions in Kobe, with two penalty tries after half-time ensuring the extra point they craved.
The Scots now move up to third in the Pool A behind Japan and Ireland after two games each.
Townsend's team handle heat on and off the pitch
Under the closed roof at the Misaki Stadium, the conditions were as hot and as steamy as a sauna, as stifling and as suffocating as a greenhouse in the Edinburgh Botanics on a hot summer's day. The ball was slippy and passes went down. Lots of them. The organisers of this World Cup have erred here. Enclosing this ground was a strange call.
Scotland endured the most miserable week, but had an anger and a focus about them that stood out a mile. They promised a reaction to the awful loss against Ireland and it was obvious from early on that they were going to deliver it. A new wing, a new centre partnership and a whole new back row, the Scots had energy and aggression by the bucketload, the very qualities that were desperately lacking in their opening game in Yokohama.
That fourth try came late, but it was deserved. Scotland kept their nerve and produced a stirring performance, the kind of battling effort that marks them out as not quite dead in this pool. It was an extraordinarily nervous and difficult night in the conditions, but they emerged. They had to sweat, literally and metaphorically, but they showed huge character and hunger and got the job done.
They went ahead early through a Laidlaw penalty and took a firm hold of the Test. They won the collisions, an absolute must against Samoa, and even though their early dominance took a while to get converted into points, they always looked threatening. The bar of soap that passed as a ball was part of the problem. All night, catching the thing was a challenge.
Scotland's players struggled with their handling in the stifling heat in Kobe
Scotland had a fury that was best represented that new back row. Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Ritchie and Blade Thomson carried hard and often. The Scottish pack felt almost humiliated a week but now they were inflicting some damage of their own. Grant Gilchrist, who spoke emotionally of the "dark place" that the Scots had inhabited for a week, was also a thumping presence in an overwhelming pack.
Their first try came on the half hour and it arrived when Scotland used their aerial game, first with Laidlaw's kick that Samoa struggled to deal with, then a Garryowen that caused more confusion in Samoan ranks. The third boot to ball was Russell's cross kick, off a free play, to Maitland who slipped out of Tusi Pisi's despairing lunge to score.
Laidlaw's conversion gave Scotland a handy 10-point lead. Within five minutes they'd added to it. Russell went though a half-gap and found Ritchie with a cheeky offload. The flanker ran on and found Laidlaw who bounced out of Tim Nanai-Williams' attempted tackle to run in at the posts.
The scrum-half added the conversion before Hogg kept the scoreboard ticking with a booming 40-metre drop goal. Hogg punched the air when his kick sailed up and over. Scotland had at last found themselves.
Scotland liberated from their demons
Samoa were a major disappointment. They offered bravery in defence but nothing in attack. Their best work was done inside their own 22 when scrambling to keep the Scots out. In the final minutes of the opening half they had to fight to avoid conceding a third score when the Scots had a series of lineout mauls, all of them collapsed. The siege was eventually lifted, but Samoa looked a jaded team when that half-time whistle was heard.
At 20-0 the game was done, the biggest task for Scotland being the pursuit of the four-try bonus point they needed so badly. They had chances, so many chances. Russell overthrew a pass to Darcy Graham in a good position, then grubbered to Graham, but that one went south as well.
Samoa eventually caved in. The Scots drove a lineout - their maul caused a heap of trouble all night - and when Fraser Brown looked to have gone over, referee Pascal Gauzere went to his TMO for a closer look. What they saw was Fidow's side entry as Brown went for the line. Penalty try and a yellow for Fidow.
The Scots now needed a single try for that precious bonus and had 25 minutes to get it. Gordon Reid saw glory in grasp and stretched out for a touch down that never came. The prop spilled it. More time ticked by. Seven minutes left now.
Samoa were in Scotland's half. Ulupano Seuteni tried a penalty to touch that would have wound the clock down but made a mess of it and kicked it dead. Respite for the Scots, who charged downfield. The endgame was dramatic as Townsend's team pushed on up the left.
Thomson carried heroically and put Samoa on the back foot. Russell picked it up and Scotland moved on. Maitland was put clear up the wing, dived early for the line under pressure from Fidow and lost possession. The Scottish supporters sank to their knees and then promptly got to their feet when Gauzere got involved.
Gauzere penalised Fidow for clattering knees-first into Maitland as he went for the line. A second yellow - which meant a red - for Fidow and a second penalty try for Scotland. A five-pointer won in the most heart-stopping circumstances. Liberation from the demons of a week ago and much-needed hope in the weeks ahead.
Triumphant Scotland face Russia in their next pool A Test
Swami
- Awards
- 3
Rugby World Cup: France beat United States 33-9 in Japan
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Raka's try was his second in his third Test
2019 Rugby World Cup: France v USA
France: (12) 33
Tries: Huget, Raka, Fickou, Serin, Poirot Cons: Ramos, Lopez (3)
USA: (6) 9
Pens: MacGinty (3)
France needed three late tries to survive a scare and see off the United States for their second World Cup win.
Yoann Huget and Alivereti Raka scored early tries but France conceded regular penalties and made handling errors to keep Gary Gold's side in touch.
The USA, ranked 13th in the world, got within three points in the 64th minute but Gael Fickou and Baptiste Serin crossed in the space of three minutes.
With the bonus point secured, Jefferson Poirot added a fifth try late on.
France forward Bernard Le Roux said afterwards his side thought the match was going to be "a bit easier" and they got a "big surprise" in the first half.
"They got stuck in and gave us a tough time at the breakdowns and we didn't get clean ball," he said.
"So it was really tough, especially in the first half, and the bench did well when they came on.
"They made a big difference and we got some go-forward and our set plays opened up play on the outside."
New Zealand score nine tries to thrash Canada
Late tries spare French blushes
France also disappointed with their second-half performance against Argentina
France gave the score-line a flattering look with the late points that secured the precious bonus point, but for large parts of the game they were hugely disappointing.
In total they conceded 10 penalties to the USA's four and conceded 18 turnovers to their opponents' 13.
They were just six points ahead at half-time and when AJ MacGinty kicked a penalty for the USA with 16 minutes to go his side had the momentum and there appeared a real chance of an upset.
However, France took advantage when their opponents tired to follow their narrow victory over Argentina with another win.
There had been flashes of brilliance in the first half in particular, with both tries being created by the boot of fly-half Camille Lopez - the first a chip over the top and the second an excellent cross-field kick.
During a frustrating period in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, errors halted France's progress and their sloppiness was summed up when an excellent break by Sofiane Guitoune was spoiled when he passed forward to Raka when the winger had a clear run to the line.
The USA made plenty of errors of their own and could have caused France even greater problems had they made better use of good positions in the second half.
USA coach Gary Gold said:"I felt we went toe-to-toe. We did make some mistakes but we never gave up the fight.
"It's a bit sad we didn't get a try on the scoreboard, but it was just a very, very good performance."
Teams
France: Ramos; Raka, Guitoune, Fickou, Huget; Lopez, Machenaud; Baille, Chat, Setiano; Le Roux, Gabrillagues; Iturria; Camara, Picamoles (capt).
Replacements: Guirado, Poirot, Slimani, Vahaamahina, Alldritt, Serin, Ntamack, Medard.
USA: Teo; Scully (capt), Brache, Campbell, Iosefo; MacGinty, Davies; Fry, Taufetee, Lamositele; Brakeley, Civetta; Lamborn Germishuys, Hanco, Dolan
Replacements: Fawsitt, Kilifi, Mullen, Peterson, Pinkelman, De Haas, Magie, Palamo
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Raka's try was his second in his third Test
2019 Rugby World Cup: France v USA
France: (12) 33
Tries: Huget, Raka, Fickou, Serin, Poirot Cons: Ramos, Lopez (3)
USA: (6) 9
Pens: MacGinty (3)
France needed three late tries to survive a scare and see off the United States for their second World Cup win.
Yoann Huget and Alivereti Raka scored early tries but France conceded regular penalties and made handling errors to keep Gary Gold's side in touch.
The USA, ranked 13th in the world, got within three points in the 64th minute but Gael Fickou and Baptiste Serin crossed in the space of three minutes.
With the bonus point secured, Jefferson Poirot added a fifth try late on.
France forward Bernard Le Roux said afterwards his side thought the match was going to be "a bit easier" and they got a "big surprise" in the first half.
"They got stuck in and gave us a tough time at the breakdowns and we didn't get clean ball," he said.
"So it was really tough, especially in the first half, and the bench did well when they came on.
"They made a big difference and we got some go-forward and our set plays opened up play on the outside."
New Zealand score nine tries to thrash Canada
Late tries spare French blushes
France also disappointed with their second-half performance against Argentina
France gave the score-line a flattering look with the late points that secured the precious bonus point, but for large parts of the game they were hugely disappointing.
In total they conceded 10 penalties to the USA's four and conceded 18 turnovers to their opponents' 13.
They were just six points ahead at half-time and when AJ MacGinty kicked a penalty for the USA with 16 minutes to go his side had the momentum and there appeared a real chance of an upset.
However, France took advantage when their opponents tired to follow their narrow victory over Argentina with another win.
There had been flashes of brilliance in the first half in particular, with both tries being created by the boot of fly-half Camille Lopez - the first a chip over the top and the second an excellent cross-field kick.
During a frustrating period in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, errors halted France's progress and their sloppiness was summed up when an excellent break by Sofiane Guitoune was spoiled when he passed forward to Raka when the winger had a clear run to the line.
The USA made plenty of errors of their own and could have caused France even greater problems had they made better use of good positions in the second half.
USA coach Gary Gold said:"I felt we went toe-to-toe. We did make some mistakes but we never gave up the fight.
"It's a bit sad we didn't get a try on the scoreboard, but it was just a very, very good performance."
Teams
France: Ramos; Raka, Guitoune, Fickou, Huget; Lopez, Machenaud; Baille, Chat, Setiano; Le Roux, Gabrillagues; Iturria; Camara, Picamoles (capt).
Replacements: Guirado, Poirot, Slimani, Vahaamahina, Alldritt, Serin, Ntamack, Medard.
USA: Teo; Scully (capt), Brache, Campbell, Iosefo; MacGinty, Davies; Fry, Taufetee, Lamositele; Brakeley, Civetta; Lamborn Germishuys, Hanco, Dolan
Replacements: Fawsitt, Kilifi, Mullen, Peterson, Pinkelman, De Haas, Magie, Palamo
Swami