In Napier, a much-changed France side was forced to deal with wet and windy weather before overcoming Canada 46-19, making it two wins from two in Pool A ahead of their mouthwatering clash with New Zealand on Saturday.
Conditions were much more favorable in Hamilton as Wales produced some entertaining rugby and fierce defense under sunny skies to claim a precious 17-10 victory over Samoa.
Winger Shane Williams scored the decisive try late in the second half with fullback James Hook and flyhalf Rhys Priestland kicking six points each to secure a victory that is likely to see them claim second place in Pool D behind South Africa.
Samoa prop Anthony Perenise crossed for a try late in the first half but they were unable to add to their tally in the second period as their burly backs were shut down by the Welsh, who made 142 tackles in the match.
"I thought we showed some great character," Wales coach Warren Gatland said of his team, who were unfortunate to lose 17-16 to the Springboks in their opening match.
"A few years ago, or 12 months earlier, we might not have won that game."
While Wales took the plaudits in victory, Six Nations champions England faced criticism after their win in Dunedin as their old problems with discipline were evident again.
Late tries added gloss to the 41-10 victory over a tiring Georgian side, which had little rest time following their loss to Scotland on Wednesday.
England, the 2003 champions, struggled to gain territory and possession against their second-tier opponents leaving manager Martin Johnson frustrated.
"It wasn't good enough and if we are happy with those standards we'll go home early," Johnson warned his side, which gave away 14 penalties.
Some woeful kicking by Georgian flyhalf Merab Kvirikashvili and six tries by England, however, made sure there was no repeat of the upset suffered by Tri-Nations champions Australia at the hands of Ireland on Saturday.
The Wallabies left Auckland on Sunday still stunned after their surprise defeat at Eden Park, with Ireland's assistant coach Alan Gaffney suggesting Australia was perhaps guilty of overconfidence.
"I possibly think, and this is not disrespectful, but I don't know if they did quite show us enough respect," Gaffney said from the team's base in Taupo.
Gaffney and the Irish coaching staff also spent Sunday keen to convince record points scorer Ronan O'Gara to play on after the flyhalf revealed plans to retire after the tournament.
"He certainly hasn't formally talked to us about it," manager Paul McNaughton said. "He's got a lot more to offer than the next few weeks."
Australia's loss to Ireland means they face a probable quarterfinal against South Africa and, if they survive, a last four encounter with the All Blacks, who spent Sunday visiting earthquake damage in Christchurch on the second day of their stay in the city.
The All Blacks return to Auckland on Wednesday ahead of their clash with France, who for the second match in a row rallied late to overcome spirited opposition.
Winger Vincent Clerc completed a hat trick of tries with the final play of the game to secure a bonus point for the French, with scrumhalf Morgan Parra adding 23 points with the boot.
"Difficult first game last week but I'm very proud of the French team, it's never easy to win against Canada with the rain," France captain Aurelien Rougerie said.
There are no games on Monday and there may be no more in the tournament for Dominiko Waqaniburotu after the Fijian flanker was cited for a dangerous tackle during his country's 49-3 World Cup loss to defending champions South Africa on Saturday.
Japan and Tonga are scheduled to announce their teams for their Pool A clash in Whangarei on Thursday.
