International Round-Up

By Mark Stevens
19/6/2016

A powerful second half display from world champions New Zealand condemned Wales to a 36-22 defeat in Wellington.

Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis won his 13th international cap coming off the bench in the second half, but he was unable to stop the powerful All Blacks from making it back-to-back victories against Warren Gatland’s side.

The All Blacks sealed success thanks to tries from Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Beauden Barrett, Waiseke Naholo and Ardie Savea.

Barrett converted three of those scores, while Aaron Cruden - who was stretchered off during the game - kicked a conversion and a penalty.

In reply, Wales countered with tries of their own from Alun Wyn Jones, Liam Williams and Jonathan Davies, while Dan Biggar kicked the remainder of their points.

The two sides will meet in the final Test this Saturday in Dunedin.

Elsewhere, Francis’ fellow prop Moray Low was part of the Scotland side that kicked off their summer tour programme with a 26-13 win against Japan.

The visitors collected a penalty try and another from WJ Nel, both of which were converted by Gloucester’s Greig Laidlaw, who also kicked four penalties.

Over in San Jose, Italy - including Exeter centre Michele Campagnaro - got the job done, but were made to graft for their 24-20 victory over the USA.

The result was a momentus one for the Azzurri as it’s their first victory under new head coach Conor O’Shea, who took over the reins from Jacques Brunel at the end of a winless Six Nations campaign.

Italy’s hero was their hooker, Ornel Gega, who scored a try either side of half-time which paved the way to victory. Azzurri fly-half Carlo Canna also impressed with a 14-point haul via three penalties, a conversion and a drop goal.

Completing the Chiefs contingent in action overseas this weekend was hooker Elvis Taione, whose Tonga side lost 23-20 to Georgia at the ANZ National Stadium in Suva.

The visitors' outside centre David Kacharava crossed the whitewash on two occasions to help his side secure a rewarding win.

Both sides dotted down twice with tries for Tonga coming via Viliame Iongi and replacement forward Sione Angaelangi, while midfielder Kacharava scored both of Georgia's tries.

Full-back Merab Kvirikashvili's kicking accuracy saw him convert both tries in addition to three penalty conversions which took his account to 13 points.