Rugby World Cup day nine: While you were sleeping

Spectators watch the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Ireland and Romania at Wembley Stadium. Photo / AP

It was a big morning of Rugby World Cup action, with three games being played with the USA putting in a strong attempt to shock Scotland.

WHAT HAPPENED

Australia moved to the top of group A with a 65-3 thrashing of Uruguay, running in 11 tries, while Scotland cruised to a 39-16 win over USA despite trailing 13-12 at the break. Ireland thumped Romania 44-10 at Wembley.

The game attracted the biggest ever Rugby World Cup crowd record, for a second straight match. The 89,267 spectators at the group D clash, most of them Irish, eclipsed the record set the previous weekend of 89,019 for the New Zealand-Argentina match.

Off the field, Argentina lock Mariano Galarza has lost his appeal against a nine-week ban for gouging Brodie Retallick at Wembley last weekend.

Springboks skipper Jean de Villiers has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a fractured jaw, he recently just recovered from breaking the other side.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

It's a big blow ahead of South Africa's crucial group B clash with Scotland but the Boks have midfield cover and in Victor Matfield a ready made replacement captain.

WHAT'S COMING UP?

A day off tomorrow with the next fixture between Tonga and Namibia in pool C on Wednesday morning, the first of many 'nothing riding on it' games to come. Both nations suffered defeats in their opening games and will most likely be the remaining chance for a victory. The All Blacks also have the day off on Tuesday.

KICKING THEMSELVES, NOT

English flyhalf Owen Farrell is confident he would have landed the penalty goal on offer to snatch a draw against Wales, but is backing captain Chris Robshaw's decision to try a lineout drive instead.

"If it doesn't work out you'll get criticised...it's something to jump on. If we'd got the match-winning try everyone would have praised the decision," he said.

It appears England rule by committee, with Farrell confirming in The Telegraph that Robshaw sought opinion.

"You tend to back yourself as a kicker, but wanted to back the decision," Farrell said. "We had a chat about the decision...we wanted to go for the win together."

Keven Mealamu was asked what he would have done in a press conference today. The All Blacks veteran said he would have gone for the win, just like Robshaw did.

ANY ALL BLACKS NEWS?

The All Blacks are now in Cardiff ahead of Saturday's clash against Georgia. A few members of the squad didn't get much sleep last night after being kept awake by celebrating Welsh fans following the comeback win over England at Twickenham. The squad put in a 'physical' training session during the day with Liam Messam, Colin Slade and Beauden Barrett taking it easy with minor injuries.

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