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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Katie Sands

The Rugby World Cup 3pm headlines as Australia star in danger of missing Wales clash as new coach welcomed to the fold

Super Saturday is done and dusted, and there is plenty to talk about on just day two of the Rugby World Cup.

We've had Wales' team announcement for Monday's Georgia clash in the early hours of this morning, while Warren Gatland admitted he's desperate to get the rugby started now. You can read his full Q&A here.

Since then, there's been plenty to digest from Super Saturday: here are the main headlines from Super Saturday.

All Blacks brand referee call 'gutless' despite 23-13 win over 'Boks

All Blacks captain Kieran Read has branded a decision from referee Jerome Garces "gutless" after a controversial call in the All Blacks' win over South Africa.

Steve Hansen's men had started so slowly some might have dared to conjure the image of a tortoise with bunions.

But when New Zealand flick a switch there’s not a lot the opposition can do about it.

Despite the result, it seems the All Blacks aren't 100% happy with how the game played out.

Garces did not penalise after a foul looked to deny a New Zealand try at the 21-minute mark, when Richie Mo'unga was tackled five metres from the line by Springboks' Makazole Mapimpi, who appeared to infringe play by lying over the ball. Then a Ryan Crotty pass was knocked down from the ruck.

The referee and TMO Graham Hughes ruled an infringing play in the ruck after the initial tackle on Mo'unga, but cards stayed in Garces' pockets and awarded a penalty to the All Blacks.

The New Zealand Herald report that Spark Sport commentator Scotty Stevenson said: "Kieran Read's words if you did not hear them were 'that's pretty gutless'."

Jiffy calls for 'officials to do their job'

Just 10 minutes into New Zealand vs South Africa, Welsh rugby legend Jonathan 'Jiffy' Davies called for improved officiating during the tournament.

Fiji make Australia wobble

The Wallabies came from behind to claim a 39-21 bonus-point win after getting off to a scary start against the Pacific islanders.

For the best part of an hour, there would have been a lot of worried Wallabies supporters, both inside the Sapporo Dome and Down Under.

Their team had been rattled and ransacked by the flying Fijians, who had built a 21-12 lead and were threatening to pull off a famous World Cup upset, with their game-plan having worked a treat.

Here, we look at what Wales will have learned from this Pool D opener in Sapporo.

Wales welcome Stephen Jones to the fold

Stephen Jones has linked up with the squad as they arrived in Toyota City ready for their opening game of the Rugby World Cup against Georgia on Monday.

Jones took an active part in training on Saturday and will have more of an influence as the tournament goes on.

Warren Gatland said: "He’s come in and sat down with the analysts, myself, Dan Biggar and Jonathan Davies.

"[On Friday] we had a day off and he spent all day in the team room looking at game footage, going through training and the calls and everything."

You can read the full story and find more pictures of their training session here.

Warren Gatland and Stephen Jones during Wales training (Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)

Australia star could miss Wales clash

Wallaby winger Reece Hodge finds himself at the centre of controversy following an incident during Saturday’s opening Pool D game against Fiji.

Hodge appeared to lead with his right shoulder as he put in a no-arms hit on Fijian flanker Peceli Yato 26 minutes into the game at the Sapporo Dome. The openside went off for a HIA and did not return to the field.

Hodge went unpunished over the incident, despite it being referred to the TMO by referee Ben O’Keefe on the request of Fijian captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu.

The Fijians are expected to refer the incident to the citing commissioner, something they must do within 12 hours of the game ending, with the commissioner's citing period lasting 36 hours.

Australia's Reece Hodge appeared to lead with his right shoulder as he put in a no-arms hit on Fijian flanker Peceli Yato (ITV)

France deliver like the Barbarians in 23-21 win

France have just won an extraordinary match against Argentina.

The Pumas had appeared dead and buried at 20-3 behind at half-time, only to stage a second-half rally that saw them through everything at Les Bleus up front, especially.

They worked their way into a 21-20 lead, but a 70th-minute dropped-goal from Camille Lopez did for them.

It was dramatic, pulsating stuff, with the French playing like the Barbarians in the first half and the Dog & Duck in the second.

But they secured the all-important victory.

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