Rugby World Cup 2015: Winners and Losers from Saturday's 3 Games
Wales took a massive leap toward securing their place in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup 2015 on Saturday after beating fierce enemies England in an emotional 28-25 win at Twickenham, London.
The World Cup history books will always remember this as the night Wales came out on top of a duel between two age-old rivals, in what could well have been the biggest pool match seen in the tournament's history.
Earlier in the day, South Africa moved to the top of Pool B after hammering Samoa 46-6 in what was their first win of the competition, while Italy edged Canada 23-18 in a frantic face-off at Elland Road, Leeds.
The World Cup ranks underwent a dramatic makeover following Saturday's generous schedule, with the day's biggest winners and losers discussed in further detail ahead.
Winner: Dragons' Pride
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England's decision to decline a late penalty attempt and chase the victory instead was the saving grace Wales needed to wrap up one of the most emotional victories in their history.
Despite all the injuries, all the tragedies that might have stunted the team's morale, Sam Warburton led a second-half comeback against the old enemy, their second victory in their last three trips to Twickenham.
Scrum-half Gareth Davies deserved particular praise as the Rhys Webb replacement scored Wales' only try in the 70th minute and was a force to be reckoned with in general at headquarters.
Despite every adversity facing them, Wales maintained their 100 per cent start to the Rugby World Cup 2015, and now look like one of the favourites to advance from the Pool of Death—and deservedly so.
Loser: Welsh Vitality
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Rugby World's Charlie Morgan summed it up best when he described Wales' ill-timed injury crisis on Saturday as "utter carnage," after coach Warren Gatland saw his ranks reduced even more severely against England.
As if the pre-tournament losses of Jonathan Davies, Webb and Leigh Halfpenny weren't damaging enough, Saturday saw Scott Williams, Liam Williams and Hallam Amos each sustain some serious-looking blows.
Every one of those players required assistance as they left the field, the likes of Rhys Priestland and Lloyd Williams having to play out of their positions as replacements and with further call-ups surely needed.
It's saddening that after so much preparation, a string of disastrous misfortune can inflict such substantial damage on Wales' tournament, with the team now relying on a long list of reserves to get the through.
Winner: JP Pietersen
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On a day that saw South African rugby regain its stride with a dominant mauling of Samoa at Villa Park, JP Pietersen rediscovered some of his own best after bagging a hat-trick in front of a Birmingham audience.
After only featuring in one of the Springboks' three Rugby Championship fixtures (against Australia), there might have been some question as to what Pietersen offers Heyneke Meyer as a first-team asset.
He answered those critics with a show of clinical finishing against Stephen Betham's Pacific Island hopefuls, restoring some order to rugby's upper echelon in the process.
One might critique the Samoa defence as they completed just 74 per cent of their tackles on Saturday, but Sharks utility Pietersen was in predatory mood alongside the likes of Bryan Habana and Wille le Roux.
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Loser: United States
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Of course, their chances of making it to the quarter-finals may have always been slim, but South Africa's first win of this year's World Cup—with a bonus point, no less—makes it incredibly hard for the United States to advance.
Mike Tolkin's men are now the only Pool B outfit without so much as a point to their name, and although they have three games left on their schedule, none look all that appetising.
In fact, the United States' opening defeat to Samoa now looks likely to have been their best chance of points, with Scotland and South Africa now flying, although Japan could be susceptible depending on fitness come October 11.
The Americans could have held out some hope of mimicking Japan and upsetting the Springboks, but it seems Meyer's men have gotten over their stutter to re-establish some Pool B dominion.
Winner: Elland Road Audience
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At no point will Italy's Elland Road clash against Canada have been considered a potential classic on Saturday, but what unfolded at the home of Leeds United was a pleasantly memorable back-and-forth.
Jacques Brunel's side just had enough about them to stave off the Maple Leafs and clinch their first win of the tournament, but the North American representatives looked as though they could have rescued a late comeback.
Whether it was a case of the Azzurri failing to perform as a Tier One nation should, or simply because Canada excelled beyond their Tier Two shackles, West Yorkshire was grateful to witness such a tight encounter.
Simon Thomas of WalesOnline asserted the Canucks certainly were the better team despite their defeat, showing just how close a call Saturday's tie was in the race to escape Pool D.
It's often the case one can be lured into thinking the World Cup is merely a showpiece of the very best teams in the world, but seeing two "smaller" nations like these evolve to produce such superb drama is why the competition is the success it is.
All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.
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