2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A
The group A of the Rugby Union World Cup in 2007 included the reigning champions England, Samoa, South Africa, Tonga and the United States. The group matches took place between the 8th and 30th of September.
Table
- Qualified for the quarter-finals and World Cup 2011
- Qualified for World Cup 2011
Games
England - USA
The reigning world champions England had a difficult time in his opening match against the Americans for a long time. Up to 20 minutes, the Americans held a 3-3 draw and even had the great opportunity with an attempt to increase to 10:3, but were stopped just before the in-goal. Only the yellow card against the Americans Vahafolau Esikia ten minutes before half-time and the associated ten-minute reduction to 14 players left the British pull away to 21:3. In the second half, the Americans continued their game and demanded the Englishman continued, but safely won at the end with 28:10.
Following the game the Americans Paul Emerick has been blocked after a dangerous attack against the British Olly Barkley for five weeks.
South Africa - Samoa
Far fewer problems than the English had the day before the South Africans in their match against the island nation Samao. While the Samoans were able to hold up to 33 minutes a tight 7:9, but after the offensive of the Springboks (South Africa) overran the defensive the Samoans, particularly South Africa Bryan Habana, enter the four experiments. At the end of South Africa won clearly with 59:7, where Percy Montgomery scored the most points.
USA - Tonga
A varied role the U.S. offered and Tonga. After the Tongans took the lead in the course of the first half, up to 13:0, the Americans truncated shortly after the half-time break with a try by Mike MacDonald at 10:13. After that the game was splashing about 15 minutes to herself before Tonga was able to increase the score again. Another valid attempt by the Eagles (USA ) for interim 15:18 countered the islanders from the South Pacific of post and won with 25:15.
England - South Africa
The reigning world champions England suffered a significant defeat in the most lasting meeting of the World Cup preliminary round against the Springboks from South Africa. South Africa had gone early by an experiment with a valid increase and a penalty kick in the game with 10-0 lead. This lead they built up at half-time on 20:0. In the second passage, the same picture was presented. The South Africans built in the game their lead further and further, while the English desperate despite the best opportunities in the South African defense. South Africa won at the end of 36:0.
Samoa - Tonga
A defensive battle Samoa and Tonga fought in the first meeting of two Südpazifikinseln as part of a World Cup. After both teams had early converts a penalty kick, the Samoans attracted by three other criminal kicks in the meantime to 12:3 it before Tonga just before the break, also with a penalty kick, could shorten again. In the second pass, the Tongans turned the game within 13 minutes and went with 16:12 lead. Another penalty kick brought an interim 19:12 leadership, but promptly shortened the Samoans at 15:19. The defeat they could but despite double majority, due to no longer thwarted by one yellow and red card against Tonga, in the last five minutes of the game. Tonga ended by the victory of a losing streak of nine games against the neighboring island nation. The red card against Tonga Hale T- Pole was the first in the tournament.
South Africa - Tonga
An unexpectedly close and hard fought battle South Africa and Tonga. After a poor first half points, led the South Africans at the end of 7-3, followed by a varied second pass. Through an experiment of Tonga Pierre Hola in 44 minutes had this gone to the great surprise of all, for the first time in the match with a 10:7 lead. After the events, as within 13 minutes five trials, of which three were laid by the South Africans, and the referee distributed three yellow cards came thick. At the end of Tonga missed the sensation, but secured through the succinct 25:30 defeat a bonus point.
England - Samoa
Hardly had problems the English in their third qualifying round match against Samoa, the big injury problems plagued. At an early stage featured Martin Corry, Jonny Wilkinson and Paul Sackey in the first half of the course to victory. However, the Samoans held by the unerring Loki Crichton connection. At the beginning of the second half of the Pacific Islanders then took advantage of a small weakness of the English and shortened the time between 26:22. Subsequently, however, the defending champion used his physical superiority and won clearly with 44:22.
Samoa - USA
In the game the two teams already eliminated from Samoa and the United States, the Samoans secured their first win in the tournament. With a lightning start by two tries in the first ten minutes of the game they took the lead, while the Americans found difficult to match. Another attempt Samoa just before half- time meant the 22:3 half-time lead. The second half turned the game on its head so far, as the U.S. found more into the game and the residue was shortened to 15 minutes before the end of the game 22:13. Depending on a transformed Penalty Kick on both sides increased the result to 25:16 before the Eagles manufactured a minute before game end the connection to 25:21 and at least deserved a bonus point.
England - Tonga
In the decisive game of the quarter-finals themselves England won against Tonga. After an early phase of the pressure Tongans that lay by a penalty kick and a try to increase up to 32 minutes in, Jonny Wilkinson brought by a drop goal the defending champion for the first time in front. The second trial of Paul Sackey just before the break unscrewed the result to 19:10. Ten minutes after the break, Tonga was able to reduce the time necessary to 13:19 and thus maintained his chances. Subsequently, however, the English played in her class and won with 36:20.