wind of doubt, end of the game and express tests

Time to Reading 4 min.

It's today

• Argentina – United States (6:45 am, Pool C)

Opposition for honor Argentina and the United States, already eliminated from this World Cup, are competing at the Prefectual Rugby Ground in Kumagaya. For Pumas, this is their last game in this World Cup. Unlike the Eagles who will still have a match against Tonga, Sunday.

Argentina coach Mario Ledesma has decided to make nine changes. With this turnover, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, who has not played a single minute of play in Japan, will participate in its fourth World Cup.

Opposite, coach Gary Gold prefers to bet on continuity, since the American XV has only three adjustments compared to the last match against France (defeat 33-9).

• Scotland – Russia (9:15 am, Pool A)

Scotland has no choice. If she wants to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup, the selection of Gregor Townsend will have to win his last two games in pool A. That is to say win this Wednesday against Russia and then against Japan, Sunday (12:45).

On paper, the first match is well within reach of the XV thistle – Russia won no match in this World Cup. That's why the Scottish coach has decided to rotate his squad, to have his best players in shape against the host country this weekend.

Only winger Darcy Graham will keep his place in the incumbent team compared to the one facing Samoa (34-0). It must be said that the task looks daunting against Japan, which won its first three group games, including one against Ireland (19-12).

• Wales – Fiji (11:45, Pool D)

Ten days after his success against Australia (29-25), Wales faces Fiji in Oita. A victory of the XV Leek would ensure almost the first place in Pool D, since it will then remain one last game against Uruguay (Sunday, 10:15).

In front, the Fijians must hope for a series of circumstances: already beat the Welsh and wish a defeat of the XV Leek against Uruguay Sunday. The probability of the Fijians going to the quarter-finals seems minimal.

It was yesterday

• South Africa – Canada (66-7)

South Africa has left no chance in Canada. In a one-sided game (66-7), the Springboks, ten-time writers, officially composted their ticket to the quarter-finals. At half-time, the match was already folded (47-0). Outnumbered for the second act, the Canuks managed to be more compact (19-7).

Defeated by New Zealand (23-13), the South Africans finished their group stage with three consecutive victories, against Namibia (57-3), Italy (49-3) and Canada (66-7). They are the first to conclude the group stage. Their next appointment will be in eleven days, for their seventh consecutive quarter-final.

It's heard

Typhoon Hagibis changes direction. The most severe gale of the year according to the meteorologists – winds expected at 180 or 200 km / h -, which threatened the meeting Ireland-Samoa Saturday, October 12, would finally go to the south-east of Japan, in the Tokyo area and Yokohama.

This change of course sows doubt within the World Rugby Federation on the holding of two matches, which must be played in Yokohama: the meeting between the Blues and England in the duel for the first place in Pool C (Saturday , 10:15), as well as between Japan and Scotland on Sunday at 12:45, with a ticket for the quarter-finals.

In case of cancellation of these meetings, it is a score of 0-0 which would be recorded, according to the rules of World Rugby.

It's seen

❗Intox: The interview with the daily Mail took place 2 months ago. The article of the day distorts my remarks. My support … https://t.co/So6B9Es4Ka

– EmileNtamack (@Emile Ntamack)

Former French international Emile Ntamack is – officially – furious. In interview published on October 5th by the British daily Daily Mail, he was making tough remarks about the French rugby team and his staff. The former deputy of Marc Lievremont at the head of the Blues, between 2007 and 2011, assured, on his Twitter account, that the interview had " occurred two months ago And that his words had been " distorted ".

Noted

10'25

South Africa's scrumhalf Cobus Reinach scored against Canada on Tuesday. a hat-trick in just ten minutes and twenty-five seconds (between the 10^e and the 21^e minute). The fastest player to have achieved such a performance in the World Cup is the Australian Adam Ashley Cooper: 9 '16 ", and it was against the United States in 2011.

It's bonus

To further illustrate the remarkable match of Cobus Reinach, discover his first try. A masterpiece. Left alone by his 30 meters, he makes a clever lob over the Canadian defender, then recovers the ball and flattens in the opponents' in-goal.

Nicolas Master