Australia kept their Tri-Nations hopes alive when they came from behind to edge South Africa 14-9 in a tense Test in a wet and windy Durban on Saturday.
Martin Johnson admitted England's 19-9 defeat to Wales in Cardiff was "a bit of a mess" and one of the strangest games he had ever seen.
James Hook inspired Wales to a 19-9 victory over England with a haul of 13 points and the game's only try in the World Cup warm-up game in Cardiff on Saturday.
England's World Cup preparations suffered a major jolt at the Millennium Stadium as Wales exposed their chronic lack of flair with a 19-9 win.
In the curtainraiser in Durban to the Tri-Nations match between South Africa and Australia, France Under-19 were much too strong for the South African Academy team and beat them 36-24.
World Cup-winning flank Juan Smith may make a surprise return to the playing field against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth next week.
England suffered a late blow with confirmation that Rugby League recruit Chris Ashton has been ruled out of the World Cup warm-up match against Wales with an ankle injury.
France-based centre Seremaia Bai kicked 12 points and tackled doggedly as Fiji beat Tonga 27-12 in a World Cup warm-up match in Lautoka on Saturday.
Chris Ashton has been ruled out of England's World Cup warm-up international against Wales with an ankle injury.
International Rugby will go to the Gold Coast on Friday August 26, when the Australian Barbarians take on Canada in a one off match at Skilled Park.
Beaten 45-21 by Tonga in June, the Flying Fijians turned the tables, winning 27-12 in a Punjas Series match at Churchill Park in Lautoka, the same venue for the year's earlier defeat.
Forgotten All Blacks lock Jason Eaton is a free agent and without a Super Rugby contract for 2012.
Southland showed heart to repulse a stirring challenge from North Harbour and retain New Zealand's most prized trophy, the Ranfurly Shield.
Leo Cullen is eager for Ireland to crank up preparations for the World Cup when they face France in Bordeaux on Saturday night.
Its a busy week here in the City of Glendale, and particularly at Infinity Park as the tension builds ahead of tomorrow's re-match against Canada.
