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Rugby World Cup 2019: France labour to sloppy bonus point victory over the USA

France 33-9 USA: Coach Jacques Brunel made 12 changes and for an hour Les Blues looked a disjointed outfit

Wednesday 02 October 2019 11:38 BST

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Rugby World Cup 2019 in numbers

Three late tries spared France s blushes as they secured a bonus-point World Cup win over the USA in Fukuoka City.

Les Bleus were in trouble when USA fly-half AJ MacGinty kicked a third penalty on 64 minutes to trim their lead to 12-9 but three converted tries in the last 14 minutes helped them to a flattering 33-9 victory which keeps them in touch with Pool C leaders England.

France coach Jacques Brunel made 12 changes to the team that began the tournament with a 23-21 win over Argentina and for an hour they looked a disjointed outfit.

Led for the first time by veteran number eight Louis Picamoles on his 81st appearance, the French made the best possible start when fly-half Camille Lopez chipped over the States defence for winger Yoann Huget to open the scoring.

Full-back Thomas Ramos added the conversion to make it 7-0 but Sale Sharks favourite MacGinty’s penalty goal kept the minnows in touch.

Rugby World Cup team of round two

Show all 15

1/15Rugby World Cup team of round two

Rugby World Cup team of round two

1, Ellis Genge (England)

The loosehead prop may have only come on for England at half-time, but there had not been a run at the World Cup from a prop quite like what Genge produced against the USA. A barn-storming run saw him outpace one defender and trample over another, breaking the best part of 50 metres before it took two men to stop him. He was also excellent in the scrum to win countless penalties as the USA wilted.

AP

Rugby World Cup team of round two

2. Julian Montoya (Argentina)

It takes something special to shine in Agustin Creevy’s absence, but Montoya delivered with an excellent hat-trick to help lead Argentina to victory over Tonga. Montoya was smart to stay wide following a lineout for his first try, was the beneficiary of the rolling maul for the second and powered his way over from close range for a classy 26-minute hat-trick.

AP

Rugby World Cup team of round two

3. Levan Chilachava (Georgia)

It’s not often a Georgian makes the team of the round, but Chilachava lead an inspired Georgian pack to dominate Uruguay in their Sunday clash, scoring a try in the bonus-point victory and monstering the opposition front row in the scrum.

REUTERS

Rugby World Cup team of round two

4. Luke Thomspon (Japan)

A herculean effort from the lock as Japan upset the odds to beat Ireland. Thompson did not miss a single tackle in a standout display with fellow lock James Moore.

Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

5. Lood de Jager (South Africa)

The Springbok needed a big performance to strengthen his case for selection in what is a very competitive area for South Africa, and the giant second row delivered emphatically with a man-of-the-match performance. He may not have got on the scoresheet, but his impact in destroying Namibia’s gameplan was standout nonetheless.

AP

Rugby World Cup team of round two

6. Aaron Wainwright (Wales)

A young player whose development at the World Cup is really turning heads. Wainwright did not look out of place up against one of the greats of the game against David Pocock, and it was his ball-carrying ability that really stood out in an eye-catching performance.

Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

7. Lewis Ludlam (England)

A remarkable rise to prominence saw Ludlam score his first World Cup try for England in the demolition of the USA, but it was his all-round performance last week that earns him his place in the side. From nowhere, Ludlam is emerging as a very important member of the England team.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

8. Michael Leitch (Japan)

Another substitute who made such a strong contribution to a winning cause. Leitch came on after the half-hour mark to replace Amanaki Mafi and lead by example, setting the tone for Japan’s latest great upset.

EPA

Rugby World Cup team of round two

9. Gareth Davies (Wales)

Australia could not keep Davies out of the game in Tokyo, with the scrum-half twice intercepting Will Genia and Bernard Foley and nearly bagging himself a third in the second half. He was also excellent at injecting pace into the game and tried to catch the defence napping throughout.

Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

10. Felipe Berchesi (Uruguay)

The Uruguayan was excellent in Uruguay’s victory over Fiji, with the South American’s forced to double-up across the round by playing Georgia a handful of days later. Berchesi had to make do with a team on the back foot more often than not, yet managed to release his outside backs to run Fiji ragged.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

11. Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa)

Mapimpi emerged from the shadow of Cheslin Kolbe to star in South Africa’s rout of Namibia, scoring two tries to trigger the landslide victory. Mapimpi may not get the shower of praise that his elusive teammate receives, but he showed how dangerous he can be with the ball in hand, showing a devastating turn of pace backed up by some serious power.

REUTERS

Rugby World Cup team of round two

12. Ryoto Nakamura (Japan)

Going up against the talented duo of Chris Farrell and Garry Ringrose, Nakamura did himself proud with a number of eye-catching tackles and defensive work that any centre would be proud of. He also proved the glue between fly-half Yu Tamura and the dangerous wings outside him.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

13. Lukhanyo Am (South Africa)

The third Springbok to feature in the side, Am enjoyed possible his best outing at international level, bagging a try himself on the 57-3 victory immediately after half-time as they picked up where they left off.

AP

Rugby World Cup team of round two

14. Kotaro Matsushima (Japan)

The only man to retain his spot in the side after yet another strong showing in Shizuoka, Matsushima is establishing himself as one of the must-watch players at the World Cup. One brilliant mazy run in the second half stood out among a lengthy highlight reel.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

15. Telusa Veainu (Tonga)

The full-back returned to the Tonga side for the first time in two years and marked his comeback with a brilliant showing, scoring twice in their losing effort against Argentina and producing a sublime finish for his second try after combining with Cooper Vuna.

AP

Another precision kick from Lopez, this time lofted to the corner, enabled right winger Alivereti Raka to score a well-executed try that extended France’s lead to 12-3 but that only served to harden the resolve of the gutsy USA team, who rallied superbly following their 45-7 defeat by England.

Another MacGinty penalty as France continued to lose their discipline made it 12-6 at the break and Brunel’s men missed a glorious chance nine minutes into the second half when Raka was denied a second try for a forward pass by centre Sofiane Guitoune.

The crowd sensed a major shock when MacGinty kicked a third penalty to cut the deficit to just three points but France could breathe more easily on 66 minutes when centre Gael Fickou, one of just four players to keep their places from the opening game, sliced through for a much-needed try.

Gael Fickou scored a crucial French try as they pulled away (Getty)

Lopez’s conversion made it 19-9 and France cut loose in the last 10 minutes with two further tries from their replacements.

Scrum-half Baptiste Serin finished off a break by Raka and prop Jefferson Poirot forced his way over from a driving maul, with Lopez adding both conversions.

In the end it was mission accomplished but Brunel will be looking for an improvement when his side take on Tonga on Sunday before meeting Eddie Jones’ men on Saturday week for a clash that could determine the group winners.

PA

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