Rugby World Cup: The gap might be getting a little smaller

So the first round of games was done over the weekend and tonight saw the start of the 2nd day of playing in the Rugby World Cup and so far there have been a few surprises along the way. It seems as if Rugby nowadays is a little bit like football on a world cup level 20 years back from now. The smaller nations seem to be able to keep up with the big names for the most of the first half. but after the change they seem to crumble because of the lack of fitness and strength. Wales was struggling against Canada who were carrying a lead to half time only to be shelled 42-17 by the final whistle. The "Eagles" of the USA were playing very well against England only to give in during the 2nd half. Samoa was holding firm against South Africa over a long time only to have their necks broken by the end. So the smaller nations seemed to have made some progress and maybe it will only be a matter of time until a few of them will break into the line of the big teams.
Tonight Georgia did well for most of the time against the "Pumas" tying them for most of the first half. They conceded a penalty shortly before the break to give Argentina a 6-3 lead. But their effort was brave and there was a sequence in the middle of the first half when Argentina was desperately trying to score a try only to be pushed back by the awesome "Georgian tractor". The players in red thrust themselves in the rucks and packs to prevent the Argentinians from scoring. It's this intesity which makes the sport of Rugby so interesting to me. The constant dynamics that keep the game moving and exciting. In the end Georgia lost 3-33, a result which might give Argentina the extra point they need to advance to the knock out stages in a group that also features Ireland and France. The strange regulations of extra points for a certain number of tries scored in a game might be the deciding factor in this pool.

Tomorrow it's USA vs Tonga, Japan vs Fiji and Italy vs Romania. Normally I'd say that Tonga, Fiji and Italy shouldn't have any problems. But with what happened over the past days nothing is certain. And that's great.