It wasn't as dominating as last week's performance in Sydney, but the All Blacks nonetheless had no trouble in taking care of Australia in a 27-16 win in Wellington to retain the Bledisloe Cup. Australia were the first to get on the board after Christian Leali'ifano hit two penalties within 25 minutes, but less than a minute after the second penalty Ben Smith scored a try that put the All Blacks back in contention. Tom Taylor stepped up to hit the conversion and give New Zealand a 7-6 lead. Taylor would add a penalty and Smith would add another try before the half to give New Zealand a 15-6 lead going into the break. In the second half Taylor and Leali'ifano traded penalties with Taylor have more of the opportunities. Israel Folau continued his strong try-scoring form for Australia in tact with a try in the 71st minute, but an Israel Dagg penalty in the 75th minute sealed the match for the All Blacks.
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South Africa completed their sweep of Argentina with a narrow 22-17 win in Mendoza. The win was much more close than last week's blowout loss. The Pumas got off to a very bright start when flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamon scored a minute into the match. Morne Steyne and Filipe Contepomi would trade penalties before Bjorn Basson scored a try in the 13th minute to tie the score at 10. Marcelo Bosch would put Argentina ahead four minutes before half with a try. Steyn would add a penalty to bring the halftime score 17-13. In the second half no team was able to break through for a try, but three penalties from Steyn were enough to give South Africa the win.
Standings
New Zealand 9 pts (2-0-0)
South Africa 9 pts (2-0-0)
Argentina 1 pt (0-0-2)
Australia 0 pts (0-0-2)
Top 14
Newly-promoted Oyonnax completed the biggest upset of the young Top 14 season after they defeated Clermont 30-19. Oyonnax picked up tries from Jody Jenneker and Florian Denos within the first 30 minute to give their team a strong lead. Clermont were outmatched throughout the game and only make the scoreline reasonably close thanks to a Benson Stanley try in the 79th minute. Parity is the theme so far with only Toulon not having a mark in the loss column. Jonny Wilkinson came ahead in his duel with Jonathan Sexton. Sexton hit more penalties but thanks to his teammates five tries Wilkinson and his team were able to come out with a 41-14 win over Racing Metro. Montpellier are the only team not to pick up a win so far in the competition. They lost to Biarritz 19-12. Jules Plisson hit three drop goals, including one in the last minute to give Stade Francais a very narrow 28-27 win over Perpignan. Other weekend winners include Castres 34-6 over Grenoble, Toulouse 40-3 over Bayonne, and Brive 25-12 over Bordeaux. Click here to see the latest standings.
Currie Cup
Western Province have moved to the top of the Currie Cup standings after their 20-19 win over the Griquas. Deon Fourie and Juan de Jongh scored tries for Western Province while Kurt Coleman hit two penalties. Petus Vermeulen scored for the Griquas but it didn't come until the 80th minute. The Golden Lions stomped on the Blue Bulls 62-23 in their match. The Lions scored eight tries in the match. Lastly, the Sharks are second in the table after they beat the Cheetahs 18-15. Louis Ludik's try in the 65th minute proved to be the difference. Click here to see the latest standings.
ITM Cup
Otago are basking in their 26-19 Ranfurly Shield win over Waikato in Hamilton. Hayden Parker scored a try and hit four penalties for the Stage while TJ Ioane added another try. All Blacks 7's player Tim Mikkelson scored for Waikato. Otago are the only undefeated Championship team. Other teams to improve to 2-0 on the season include Canterbury, who beat Tasman 28-13 thanks to two tries from Adam Whitelock, Auckland, who beat Manawatu 21-18, and Wellington, who beat Taranaki 29-10. Tana Umaga and his Counties Manukau side moved into the win column after beating North Harbour 44-14. In the battle of lands Northland topped Southland 13-9, and lastly, Bay of Plenty defeated Hawke's Bay 24-20. Click here to see the latest standings.
Currie Cup First Division
The Pumas are the runaway team in the Currie Cup First Division. They have improved to 9-0 and take a ten point lead over their closest rivals after a 42-10 win over the Bulldogs. Other winners include Eastern Province over the Griffons 63-7, the Leopards over the Falcons 38-27, and the Cavaliers 35-30 over the Eagles.