Darry Worthington takes a look at all the breaking Rugby World Cup news headed into the final.
The World Cup reaches its final set of fixtures this weekend with New Zealand taking on Wales in the third and fourth play-off, while England and South Africa square off for the big prize. While there’s a whole lot of news about those two fixtures, there’s also a lot of other tidbits floating around including the Sunwolves being handed a Super Rugby lifeline.
Sunwolves to Be Handed a Lifeline
There’s a rumour floating around stating that off the back of a hugely successful Rugby World Cup, the Japanese Super Rugby team may be given a lifeline by SANZAR.
The Sunwolves were set to play no further part in the competition from 2021 onwards but a few major publications have been reporting that SANZAR and the Japanese Rugby federation are discussing the possibility of them extending their stay.
The move would make sense for both parties with rugby game attendances and viewership set to skyrocket after the ‘Brave Blossoms’ great showing at their home World Cup.
Fallout from New Zealand versus England
England’s shock 19-7 victory over the All Blacks last weekend is still reverberating around the rugby world. Eddie Jones men’s response to the Haka is the main talking point here with the IRB set to fine a number of English players for crossing the half-way line during the New Zealanders pre-match ritual.
The players have already admitted that this move was brought about by Eddie Jones’ and have actually credited the V-shape formation for assisting them in their victory over the former world number one side.
There are also other complaints steaming from the pre-match build-up with TJ Perenara not happy with Owen Farrell apparently winking at him.
Jerome Garces Set to Be Man in the Middle
In something of a strange move, French referee Jerome Garces is set to blow the whistle in this weekend’s final. The 46-year-old – like most French referees- is never too far from controversy but had a decent enough game during last week’s semi between South Africa and Wales.
Here’s hoping he is not the star of the show at the International Stadium in Yokohama.
Eddie Jones Starts the Mind Games
Jones is no stranger to the dark arts of the game and has already tried to get the locals behind his English side by using his knowledge of Japanese to endear himself to the Japanese populous following last weekend’s victory over the World Cup.
Whether it will work or not is up for debate, but England are dangerous enough without a vocal crowd behind them so hopefully, sensei Rassie has been brushing up on his Japanese.
