Rugby World Cup 2015
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England demise should sharpen Bok focus, Brits says
Reuters UKWatching England's painful exit from the Rugby World Cup in the pool stage has served as a motivation for South Africa to avoid such misery so early in the competition, hooker Schalk Brits has said. -
Cometh the World Cup, cometh the WallabiesAustralia's demolition job on England at the weekend have made them clear second favourites to win the Rugby World Cup, not bad for a side that were in disarray this time last year and ranked sixth in the world just a few months ago.
Although Michael Cheika and his coaching team will rightly take credit for the turnaround in fortunes, the fact is that the Wallabies have rarely disappointed on the grandest stage of all however inauspicious their lead-up.
Winners in 1991 and 1999, finalists on home soil in 2003 and semi-finalists in 1987 and 2011, they have never failed to make it out of the pool and have already ensured they will at least match their quarter-final exits of 1995 and 2007.
All that success from a country that had only around 40,000 registered players at the time of the last rugby census in 2011, compared to two million in England and 140,000 in New Zealand.
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Debate over Lancaster rages as England fallout continues: http://t.co/6Xpj6gu9iT #RWC2015 http://t.co/ajRK3iX15p
3:28 PM - 06 Oct 2015- Reply
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Small beer after Romania comeback kings sink Italy
Reuters UKRomania coach Lynn Howells will allow his players some beer to toast the biggest comeback in Rugby World Cup history, but it will only be a couple given their fourth Pool D match is only a few days away. -
Coach McKee committed to Fiji after positive World Cup
Fiji coach John McKee is committed to leading the side through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup despite being linked with the Japan job, he said on Wednesday.
Fiji beat Uruguay 47-15 in their final Pool A match on Tuesday to end the tournament on a high after defeats against England, Australia and Wales.
"I know there's a lot of speculation in the media with Japan looking for a new coach when Eddie (Jones) leaves at the end of this tournament,” McKee told reporters. “But I am committed to Fiji and when I return I want to discuss with the board the possibility of extending my contract (until 2019).
"I’m contracted until 2017 at the moment and I want to stay there until then, but I feel (that) if I’ve gone all that way with them I should really stay until after RWC 2019 at least."
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Nonu to win 100th New Zealand cap against Tonga
Reuters UKNew Zealand centre Ma'a Nonu will make his 100th international appearance in the All Blacks' final Rugby World Cup group match against Tonga in Newcastle on Friday. -
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Just seen Tuilagi ban and the footage. Wow. @WorldRugby better be sure he deliberately led with the knee.8:55 AM - 07 Oct 2015
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Samoan Tuilagi suspended for five weeks
Reuters UKSamoa winger Alesana Tuilagi has been suspended for five weeks for an act of foul play during the Rugby World Cup game against Japan, organisers said on Tuesday. -
Boks set to turn new Paige at scrumhalf
Reuters UKSouth African supporters could catch a glimpse of the future if the only uncapped member of their Rugby World Cup squad gets a run-out against the United States in their Pool B clash at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday. -
It has not been a frustrating wait because I have two world-class number nines in front of me and I knew I would get a chance at some stage.
“Fourie and Ruan have got two different types of games. Fourie’s decision-making is world-class and Ruan has a great kicking game.
“Taking bits from both of them and seeing how they do things under pressure, hopefully I can apply that to my game.”
- South Africa scrumhalf Rudy Paige, talking to reporters.
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No sleep for spooked Warburton
Wales captain Sam Warburton was unable to sleep after his team mate Dan Lydiate apparently saw a ghost in room 1313 at the team's Rugby World Cup base at Oatlands Park, Surrey.
Lydiate said he had woken to see a huge figure with a massive beard standing at the end of his bed.
"Dan thought it was (bearded Wales lock) Jake Ball. Someone said Henry VIII, but I don't think he's ever been here," Wales fitness coach Paul Stridgeon told reporters on Wednesday.
"It was a problem for the first couple of days. As soon as Dan Lydiate saw it and then managed to get back to sleep, Warbs couldn't get back to sleep, so he was a bit tired for the first couple of days. Now they've moved from that room."
Wales play Australia at Twickenham on Saturday in a match that will decide who finishes top of Pool A.
(Reporting by Ed Osmond; Editing by David Goodman)
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IN PICTURES: URUGUAY v FIJI
Fiji perform the Cibi before the match. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
Fans at the Uruguay v Fiji match, 6 October 2015. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
Uruguay fan at the Fiji v Uruguay game. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
Fiji players line up before the match. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
Fiji's Akapusi Qera (L) in action. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Uruguay's Agustin Ormaechea fouls Fiji's Lepani Botia Veivuke and is shown a yellow card before a penalty try is awarded to Fiji. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
Uruguay's Agustin Ormaechea clashes with Fiji's Campese Ma'afu before being shown a red card. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Uruguay's Mathias Palomeque in action. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers1 of 8
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England's Cipriani and Catt in training ground bust-up - report
England flyhalf Danny Cipriani and attack coach Mike Catt were involved in a heated training ground argument before the Rugby World Cup, British newspapers reported on Wednesday.The incident happened after 27-year-old Cipriani was informed that he had not made the final 31-man squad for the tournament but before it was announced publicly five weeks ago.
Catt, 44, threatened Cipriani twice and told him he would "end his England career" before other players stepped in to separate the pair, the Daily Mail reported.
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France's Picamoles rejuvenated for Ireland showdown
Reuters UKFrance number eight Louis Picamoles is feeling refreshed after sitting out the game against Canada ahead of the Rugby World Cup Pool D showdown against Ireland, he said on Wednesday. -
Habana record as Springboks win pool, Georgia sink Namibia
Reuters UKSouth Africa secured top spot in Rugby World Cup Pool B with a crushing 64-0 win over the United States on Wednesday to put their shock defeat by Japan firmly behind them and they will play Australia or Wales in the quarter-finals. -
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France and Ireland meet to decide pool, dodge All Blacks
Reuters UKThe final Rugby World Cup pool will be decided on Sunday when Ireland and France meet in one of the opening stage's most anticipated games and play for the prize of avoiding champions New Zealand in the quarter-finals. -
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UAE's Israel deal met with Arab dismay but quiet welcome in Gulf
JERUSALEM From cries of "betrayal" to fears about "falling dominoes", the deal making the United Arab Emirates the third Arab state to forge ties with Israel stirred anger and dismay around the Middle East, but a cautious welcome from the UAE's Gulf allies.