Frawley the hero as Ireland level Springboks series
CIARAN FRAWLEY KICKED A last-minute drop goal to give Ireland a dramatic 25-24 win over Rugby World Cup holders South Africa in a Durban thriller last Saturday (July 13), and a draw in the two-Test series.
It was the second drop goal of the match by Frawley as the visitors came from five points behind after leading 16-6 at half-time.
Ireland dominated the first half, but played second fiddle to the record four-time World Cup winners after the break and a string of Handre Pollard penalties put the Springboks 24-19 ahead.
A Frawley drop goal on 70 minutes narrowed the gap to two points before he struck again in the final minute on just his sixth Test appearance, sending another drop goal between the posts in the enthralling clash of the top two ranked rugby union nations.
Meanwhile, New Zealand came from behind to beat England in the second Test in Auckland to secure the series 2-0.
Tries by wing Mark Tele’a either side of half-time secured a 24-17 victory to follow up their 16-15 victory in Dunedin a week previous.
A spirited England side led 14-13 at half-time after tries by Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
However, All Blacks’ playmaker Beauden
Barrett came off the bench to swing the momentum as he set up Telea’s second try before Damian McKenzie landed two penalties.
Elsewhere, Georgia denied Eddie Jones his first win of his second stint as Japan head coach after scoring a late try to claim a 25-23 victory in Sendai.
In Washington, Scotland romped past the United States 42-7 with Duhan van der Merwe scoring a record-equalling 27th international try to draw level with Stuart Hogg as the country’s record try-scorer in international rugby.
A challenging week for France ended with a 33-25 defeat by Argentina in Buenos Aires, hours after two of their players, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, were arrested and formally charged with the aggravated rape and beating of an Argentine woman.
The pair remain in custody until a hearing is scheduled to determine if they will await trial in detention or under house arrest.