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☆ Springbok belief and physicality make for world beating mix
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 29 (Reuters) - A record fourth Rugby World Cup showed South Africa's dogged determination, which saw the team dig deep at critical moments. Few sides have had as bruising a route to World Cup success as the Springboks in this tournament, playing against each of the other top six ranked nations on their way to the podium. They edged three successive knockout stage matches by a single point to claim the Webb Ellis Cup. "As a South African, as a Springbok, you always believe you are going to win," said centre Jesse Kriel. "We thought we can't mess this up because we believed from 2018 they had the ability to win the World Cup.

Persons: Webb, Jesse Kriel, Handre Pollard, Jacques Nienaber, I'm, flyhalf Pollard, Kriel, Alexander Smith Organizations: Rugby, Springboks, New Zealand, Stade de France, Springbok, Thomson Locations: New, Paris, South Africa, Jesse Kriel . South Africa, Japan, Ireland, France, England

☆ South Africa hold off 14-man All Blacks to win record fourth World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | Thomson Reuters | Leads Coverage Of Sport Across The Asia-Pacific. Still Reports On The Full Panoply Of Sport. Many Olympics World Cups World Championships Grand Slams Grands Prix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

No team had ever recovered from a halftime deficit to win a World Cup final and the Springboks came out flying in the second half looking to drive home their advantage. It was the first try South Africa had conceded in four World Cup finals but Mo'unga missed the conversion from wide-out and the Springboks held on to the lead. Kolisi had by now returned to the fray after his card was not upgraded and South Africa brought their famed "bomb squad" off the bench to relieve fatigued forwards. South Africa winger Cheslin Kolbe was the fourth player to be yellow-carded seven minutes from time but New Zealand's Jordie Barrett struck the subsequent 48-metre penalty attempt wide of the posts. New Zealand had also been hoping to win a fourth World Cup and coach Ian Foster thought the way the cards for Cane and Kolisi played out had been a decisive factor.

Persons: Denis, Webb Ellis, Cyril Ramaphosa REUTERS, Gonzalo Fuentes, Cane, Beauden Barrett, NZ Handre Pollard, Sam Cane, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Handre, Siya Kolisi, Black Richie McCaw, Kolisi, Shannon Frizell, Flyhalf Pollard, Richie Mo'unga, Pollard, Cane clattered, Jesse Kriel, Mo'unga, Ardie Savea, New Zealand scrumhalf Aaron Smith, Mark Telea, Cheslin Kolbe, Zealand's Jordie Barrett, Ian Foster, it's, Nick Mulvenney, Ed Osmond Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Stade de France, Saint, South, NZ, Zealand, Blacks, Springboks, New Zealand, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: Zealand, South Africa, France, Africa, South Africa PARIS, New Zealand, New

☆ Springboks start with Pollard, go 7-1 on the bench
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In the end, Pollard proved the match winner again as he kicked over a 48 metre penalty to hand South Africa a place in the final. South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber surprised with his choice of replacements, going with seven forwards and a single back for the third time in the last two months. It means South Africa are gambling on fresh forward power winning them the game but risking having no cover should there be any injury among the backs. New Zealand, who like South Africa have won three previous World Cups, will name their team later on Thursday. South Africa: 15-Damian Willemse, 14-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Cheslin Kolbe, 10-Handre Pollard, 9-Faf de Klerk, 8-Duane Vermeulen, 7-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6-Siya Kolisi (capt.

Persons: Handre Pollard, Pollard, Faf, Klerk, Jacques Nienaber, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Deon Fourie, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie Le Roux, Mark Gleeson, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Rugby, Springbok, New Zealand, South, England, Libbok, Blacks, Twickenham, Ireland, Leinster, Thomson Locations: COURCELLES, France, South Africa, Japan, flyhalf, scrumhalf, Africa, South Africa’s, Zealand

☆ World Cup braced for second superpower showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

That means that should they triumph on Saturday they will have an incredible 50% success rate - four finals from eight tournaments. New Zealand won the inaugural event in 1987 then became the first to win back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2015 - an achievement defending champions South Africa are also desperate to emulate. Their previous final meeting was in 1995, the first World Cup South Africa were allowed into. At the other end of the experience spectrum is winger Will Jordan, whose eight tries in France equal the tournament best. Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)Reporting by Mitch Phillips; editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, Francois Pienaar, Chester Williams, Siya Kolisi, Richie McCaw, Handre Pollard, Ian Foster, Sam Whitelock, Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett, flyhalf Richie Mo'unga, Ardie, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert, Damian Willemse, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Deon Fourie, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie Le Roux, Wayne Barnes, Mitch Phillips, Ken Ferris Organizations: Springboks, New Zealand, South, France, England, Twickenham, Zealand, Blacks, Ireland, Webb, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, South Africa, Africa, England, flyhalf, Argentina, Ireland, France, Zealand, Brown

☆ Different feel as England Argentina meet again in bronze final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Of course the one that spoiled that streak was the agonising one-point semi-final defeat by South Africa, but it is still an England team unrecognisable in confidence and execution from the one that endured a dismal August warm-up campaign. England eventually advanced as pool winners, then beat Fiji before their Springbok loss, while Argentina improved to beat Japan to clinch second place then see off Wales in the quarter-final. Borthwick and Pumas coach Michael Cheika followed their defeats by immediately stressing that they were treating the bronze final as a match they were taking very seriously. "Winning the bronze medal is very important for the future and the legacy of the most experienced players. England have also won all four of the teams' pool clashes at the World Cup.

Persons: Steve Borthwick, Tom Curry, flyhalf George Ford, Ford banged, Michael Cheika, Borthwick, Cheika, Owen Farrell, Ford, Marcus Smith, Henry Arundell, Freddie Steward, Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Tomas Cubelli, Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Pedro Rubiolo, Guido Petti, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Julian Montoya, Thomas Gallo, Agustin Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Nicolas Sanchez, Matias Moroni, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs, Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Ollie Chessum, Will Stuart, Theo Dan, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlum, Danny Care, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence, Mitch Phillips, Christian Radnedge Organizations: England, Rugby, Fiji, Springbok, Japan, Borthwick, Pumas, Twickenham, Thomson Locations: Argentina, South Africa, England, Marseille, Wales, New Zealand, flyhalf

☆ New look for England as Arundell, Steward and Smith start v Argentina
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Tom Curry, who will win his 50th cap, moves to the blindside to reprise the successful back row partnership from the 2019 tournament, with Ben Earl at number eight. Scrumhalf Ben Youngs starts his first game of the tournament to extend his caps record to 127, with captain Owen Farrell at flyhalf. Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, George Ford and Ollie Lawrence are on the bench. The teams met on the opening weekend of the tournament in Marseille, when England won 27-10 despite having Curry sent off after three minutes. England have also won all four of the teams' pool clashes at the World Cup.

Persons: Henry Arundell, Freddie Steward, Marcus Smith, Steve Borthwick, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Theo Dan, Ollie Chessum, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Scrumhalf Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence, Borthwick, Smith, Arundell, Steward, Curry, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs, Maro Itoje, Lewis Ludlum, Mitch Phillips, Christian Radnedge Organizations: England, Argentina, South, openside, Springboks, Twickenham, Thomson Locations: South Africa, flyhalf, Paris, Chile, Marseille, England

☆ World Cup 2023: Previous World Cup finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

PARIS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - On Saturday, New Zealand take on South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France, with both teams hoping to win a record fourth title. Mapimpi scored the first try in the 66th minute, becoming the first Springbok to score a try in a World Cup final, despite South Africa having won two previous titles. The teams had met in the pool stage with South Africa winning 36-0. Fullback Jonathan Webb scored two penalties for England, whose decision to ditch their forward-reliant tactics for an expansive running game backfired. 1987 - NEW ZEALAND 29 FRANCE 9 (AUCKLAND)The All Blacks laid down the marker in the first World Cup final, dominating from start to finish as flyhalf Grant Fox's kicking helped his team gain territory time and again.

Persons: Makazole, Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard, Mapimpi, Richie McCaw, Flyhalf Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett's, Tony Woodcock, Stephen Donald, Percy Montgomery, Francois Steyn, Alain Rolland's, Mark Cueto, England's Jonny Wilkinson, Australia's Elton Flatley, Wilkinson, Matt Burke, Ben Tune, Owen Finegan, Nelson Mandela, Jonah Lomu, Joel Stransky's, Webb Ellis, Tony Daly, Michael Lynagh, Fullback Jonathan Webb, flyhalf Grant Fox's, Michael Jones, David Kirk, John Kirwan, Pierre Berbizier, Rohith Nair, Aadi Nair, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Stade de France, England, Springbok, South, Blacks, Wallabies, Springboks, South Africa, ZEALAND, Fullback, Fox, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, South Africa, ENGLAND, YOKOHAMA, Japan, AUSTRALIA, TWICKENHAM, FRANCE, AUCKLAND, France, PARIS, England, SYDNEY, CARDIFF, Australia, JOHANNESBURG, Bengaluru

☆ Springbok focus on final despite Mbonambi controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rugby Union - Championship - New Zealand All Blacks vs South Africa Springboks - Auckland, New Zealand - September 16, 2017 South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi reacts after their loss to New Zealand. REUTERS/Nigel Marple/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPRESLES COURCELLES, France, Oct 25 (Reuters) - South Africa have no problem focusing on Saturday's Rugby World Cup final despite the controversy hanging over hooker Bongi Mbonambi and World Rugby's investigation into alleged discriminatory behaviour, assistant coach Felix Jones said. World Rugby are formally reviewing the allegation that Mbonambi directed a racial slur at England's Tom Curry in Saturday's semi-final, where South Africa secured a 16-15 win to set up a final against New Zealand this weekend. "Everyone, as you can expect for a World Cup final, is hugely excited and there is a high level of focus. World Rugby said separately an investigation into the allegations was being conducted by its disciplinary structures but no time line on the process was known.

Persons: Mbonambi, Nigel Marple, Bongi Mbonambi, Felix Jones, Tom Curry, Jones, Curry, Ben O'Keeffe, Malcolm Marx, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Deon Fourie, Marco van Staden, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby Union, Zealand, Blacks, South Africa Springboks, REUTERS, Saturday's Rugby, Rugby, South, New Zealand, Springboks, South Africa Rugby, Stade de France, England, France, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, New Zealand, COURCELLES, France, South Africa, Saturday's, England, South, flyhalf

☆ Farrell kicks England into semis with classic win over Fiji
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Centres Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant scored tries as England led 24-10 early in the second half on the back of their most impressive performance for years. However, in classic style, Fiji scored two tries in four minutes to change the mood, only for England, thanks to surging runs by outstanding number eight Ben Earl, to regain a lead they held on to in a dramatic finale. England reached their sixth World Cup semi-final and will go in search of a fifth final appearance when they meet France or South Africa. "There was obviously a spell where Fiji scored two back-to-back tries, which Fiji can do probably better than anyone else in the world. For most of the match, a fired-up England were unrecognisable from the team who looked so lacklustre against Samoa last week.

Persons: Farrell, Captain Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi, Joe Marchant, Ben Earl, England, Steve Borthwick, Simon Raiwalui, Marchant, Viliame Mata, Peni Ravai, Vilimoni, Simione, Earl, Vilimoni Botitu, Mitch Phillips, Ed Osmond Organizations: Fiji, France, Islanders, Samoa, Twickenham, England, Blacks, Thomson Locations: South Africa MARSEILLE, France, England, South Africa, Fiji, Paris

☆ Biggar back for Wales in boost for World Cup quarter-final with Argentina
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TOULON, France, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Wales' influential flyhalf Dan Biggar will start this weekend's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina in Marseille with Tommy Reffell named on Thursday in place of the injured Taulupe Faleatu. Along with Biggar, Wales also named experienced fullback Liam Williams for Saturday's match despite him being taken off with a knee injury in their final pool match last weekend, a 43-19 win over Georgia in Nantes. Williams was later seen using crutches but coaching staff this week said it was a precautionary measure to take weight off his leg. “It’s exciting to enter into the knockout stages of the tournament and we are ready for the challenge of a quarter-final. We haven't had the perfect performance yet, but we have shown that we are a hard team to beat.

Persons: Dan Biggar, Tommy Reffell, Taulupe Faleatu, Biggar, Liam Williams, Williams, Faleatu, Aaron Wainwright, Jac Morgan, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins, Gareth Anscombe, Sam Costelow, “, Warren Gatland, “ We’re, haven't, ”, Louis Rees, George North, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams, Gareth Davies, Will Rowlands, Tomas Francis, Ryan Elias, Gareth Thomas Replacements, Dewi, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Tshiunza, Tomos Williams, Rio Dyer, Mark Gleeson, Ken Ferris Organizations: Rugby, Argentina, Georgia, ” Wales, Thomson Locations: TOULON, France, Wales, Marseille, Biggar, Nantes, Georgia, Argentina, Zammit, Paris

☆ England set to drop Ford, start Smith at fullback in Fiji quarter-final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MARSEILLE, France, Oct 12 (Reuters) - England coach Steve Borthwick looks set to make radical changes for Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Fiji by dropping George Ford and starting Marcus Smith at fullback, strengthening his midfield defence and injecting some energy into the attack. However, while his defence and aerial skills are superior to Smith's, Steward has shown little in attack - though he is far from alone there. Defence generally has not been the issue for England as they racked up four wins in a row. Before the Samoa game they had the best defence in the tournament and had conceded only one try. England have made the second-fewest carries (108.8) for the second-fewest metres (461.3), they rank sixth for defenders beaten (22.5) and last for offloads (5.8).

Persons: Steve Borthwick, George Ford, Marcus Smith, Borthwick, Ford, Owen Farrell, Smith, Freddie Steward, Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Joe Marchant, Elliot Daly, Henry Arundell, Jamie George, Mitch Phillips, Ken Ferris Organizations: Fiji, Harlequins, Samoa, Fijians, Defence, England, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, England, Chile, Samoa, Portugal

☆ Past irrelevant for Irish in NZ quarter-final, says Farrell
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | Thomson Reuters | Leads Coverage Of Sport Across The Asia-Pacific. Still Reports On The Full Panoply Of Sport. Many Olympics World Cups World Championships Grand Slams Grands Prix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"What's happened in the past is irrelevant, we're just trying to get better every week and so are they." "I don't think we're carrying much baggage, it's a one-off game and we've got to prepare for it." Farrell was able to name an unchanged starting team for the game with Mack Hansen and James Lowe both passed fit to play. Farrell said Ryan would probably be available for the semi-finals if Ireland managed to get past New Zealand. "That's what we're preparing for, the toughest game we've ever faced, and that we're going to be ready for it."

Persons: Andy Farrell, Farrell, we're, Johnny Sexton, we've, Mack Hansen, James Lowe, Hansen, Lowe, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Jimmy O'Brien, Stuart McCloskey, Ryan, you've, We've, they've, Sexton, flyhalf, Hugo Keenan, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson, Doris, Josh van, Peter O'Mahony, Iain Henderson, Tadhg Beirne, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, David Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Jimmy O’Brien, Nick Mulvenney, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Stade de France, & Irish Lions, All Blacks, Blacks, Lions, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Ireland

☆ Springboks delay naming team as they ponder bench options
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Springboks have been regimented in naming their team four days before a test, but director of rugby Rassie Erasmus says there are still deliberations over whether to go with a 5-3, 6-2 or 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench. In some cases we are not even sure who is the best," Erasmus told reporters on Tuesday. "We are keeping our options open for a 7-1, 6-2 or 5-3 (bench split) with both Handre and Manie being available. I think having everybody fit and seeing what the French team looks like may influence us going 7-1 or 6-2." "I have been in World Rugby meetings where we break into little groups and he's a very interesting character with the way he looks at the game," Erasmus said.

Persons: Rassie Erasmus, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo, Erasmus, Antoine Dupont, Shaun Edwards, Andy Farrell, Nick Said, Toby Davis Organizations: France, Springboks, Namibia, Rugby, Rugby League, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Paris, France, Ireland

☆ Namibia chase elusive first World Cup win against Uruguay
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool A - France v Namibia - Orange Velodrome, Marseille, France - September 21, 2023 Namibia's Johan Deysel looks on after being sent off REUTERS/Peter Cziborra/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 25 (Reuters) - Namibia have made seven changes to their starting line-up for their final Rugby World Cup Pool A match against Uruguay in Lyon on Wednesday, one of which has been forced through the absence of captain Johan Deysel. Coach Allister Coetzee has long targeted this fixture as the one to break his team’s unwanted record run of 25 consecutive losses in the World Cup since they made their debut in 1999. "The players know what a win means for the country, it can change a lot. Prop Johan Coetzee and wing Gerswin Mouton are therefore the only players to have started all four matches in France. Namibia lost 26-18 to Uruguay in Montevideo last month and Coetzee believes that elusive World Cup win is there for the taking.

Persons: Namibia's Johan Deysel, Peter Cziborra, Johan Deysel, Coach Allister Coetzee, Coetzee, Antoine Dupont, I’ve, He’s, Johan Coetzee, Gerswin Mouton, Alcino Izaacs, Danco Burger, Andre van den Berg, Tiaan Swanepoel, Damian Stevens, Richard Hardwick, Prince Gaoseb, Uanivi, They’ve, it’s, Jason Benade, Torsten Van Jaarsveld, Adriaan Ludick, Tiaan De Klerk, JC Greyling, Burger, Cliven, Louis van der, Desiderius Sethie, Haitembu Shifuka, PJ Van Lill, Max Katjijeko, Adriaan Booysen, Jacques Theron, Andre van der, Nick Said, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, REUTERS, Uruguay, Gerswin, Former Australia, Thomson Locations: France, Namibia, Orange, Marseille, Lyon, Deysel, flyhalf, scrumhalf, Uruguay, Montevideo, Andre van der Bergh

☆ England coach sees new options after three flyhalves test
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LILLE, France, Sept 23 (Reuters) - England coach Steve Borthwick said playing three flyhalves for part of Saturday's 71-0 thrashing of Chile had brought a new dimension to his side that he could deploy again in future. "As I've been saying for quite a long period now I think this squad is packed full of talent and it's packed full of different options. The England coach also praised 20-year-old man of the match Henry Arundell, who equalled an England record of five tries. Saturday's victory means England have taken a decisive stride towards the quarter-finals. The England coach did not give hints on his team for their next test against the Samoans in two week's time, insisting the Chile match should not be viewed as a try out of reserves but instead as proof of the depth of England's squad.

Persons: Steve Borthwick, George Ford's, Marcus Smith, Borthwick, Ford, Owen Farrell, Smith, I've, Owen, George, Marcus, Henry Arundell, Tom Curry's, Philip Blenkinsop, Ken Ferris Organizations: LILLE, England, Samoans, Thomson Locations: France, England, Chile, Argentina, Japan, Samoa

☆ Last-gasp penalty miss denies Portugal first win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The excellent Raffaele Storti grabbed a brace of tries for Portugal, who will rue their inability to manage the final few minutes. "That’s rugby, it isn’t one half," Georgia coach Levan Maisashvili said. "We played really hard in the first half but in the second Portugal dominated everywhere. Portugal rode out the 10 minutes a man light and scored the first points of the second half through two Samuel Marques penalties. Georgia finally got into the Portugal half in the closing stages and when Lucas gave away his needless penalty, they were able to set up an attacking lineout and drive over through Zamtaradze to level the score.

Persons: Nuno Sousa Guedes, Portugal agonisingly, scrumhalf Pedro Lucas, Tengiz Zamtaradze, Luka Matkava, Guedes, Patrice Lagisquet, Akaki Tabutsadze, Zamtaradze, Raffaele Storti, Levan Maisashvili, Niniashvili, Flyhalf Tedo Abzhandadze, Storti, Francisco Fernandes, Shalva Mamukashvili, deservedly, Samuel Marques, Jeronimo Portela, Lucas, Mitch Phillips, Nick Said, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Georgia, Portugal, Thomson Locations: TOULOUSE, France, Portugal, Georgia, Tabutsadze, Georgian, Zamtaradze

☆ Dupont underwent surgery on facial injury, will return to squad: FFR
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - France captain Antoine Dupont has undergone surgery on a facial injury and will return to his Rugby World Cup squad to recover, the French federation (FFR) said on Saturday, though it gave no timeline for when the scrumhalf might return to the field. "Following his injury sustained during the France-Namibia match, Antoine Dupont underwent surgery at Toulouse's CHU Purpan on 22 September at around 11 p.m.," the federation said in a statement. "In a few days' time, he will be able to return to the French team as part of a gradual sporting recovery under medical supervision." The FFR did not say when Dupont would be able to play again. France, who are already without flyhalf Romain Ntamack at the World Cup due to injury, next face Italy on Oct. 6.

Persons: Antoine Dupont, Johan Deysel, Dupont, flyhalf Romain Ntamack, Julien Pretot, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Rugby World, Namibia, Thomson Locations: France, Thursday's, Namibia, Italy

☆ Five-try Arundell stars as England thrash Chile 71-0
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

England, who made 12 changes from the starting line-up against Japan, scored 11 tries, including five for 20-year-old winger Arundell that equalled an England record, albeit against the lowest ranked team in the tournament playing at their first World Cup. Samoa and Japan have five, Argentina four and Chile are yet to register after three defeats. It was one-way traffic by then and Arundell got his fourth, chipping and gathering his own kick. Chile showed touches of ambition in the first half but never really threatened and were chasing shadows after the break. Their coach Pablo Lemoine, who scored a try for Uruguay against England in that 2003 match, said: "I'm not really disappointed, that's reality.

Persons: Winger Arundell, debutants Smith, Winger Henry Arundell, Steve Borthwick, Arundell, Owen Farrell, Marcus Smith, Smith, Marcus, Theo Dan, Bevan Rodd, Matias Dittus, maul, Dan, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Farrell, England's, Josh Lewsey, Rory Underwood, Daniel Lambert, Ford, Jack Willis, Borthwick, Freddie Steward, Pablo Lemoine, Philip Blenkinsop, Ken Ferris, Clare Fallon Organizations: England, LILLE, Japan, Wales, Samoa, Ford, Fiji, France, Thomson Locations: France, England, Chile, Marseille, Australia, Fiji, Samoa, Japan, Argentina, flyhalf, Uruguay

☆ Ireland beat South Africa 13-8 in bruising Paris showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Ireland underlined their status as the number one team in the world with a bruising 13-8 Rugby World Cup victory over defending champions South Africa in Paris on Saturday, though the Springboks will rue their inaccuracy off the kicking tee. Ireland scored their only try in the first half through wing Mack Hansen as he found some rare space out wide and led 7-3 at the break but had to withstand a barrage of Springbok pressure in the second half amid a raucous atmosphere. South Africa’s only try came from winger Cheslin Kolbe but they missed the conversion and three penalty chances to highlight their goal-kicking woes and perhaps hasten the return of experienced flyhalf Handre Pollard to the team. Ireland will be odds-on to win the pool as they claimed a 16th test win in a row, while South Africa suffer defeat in a World Cup game for the first time in nine matches and will likely have to beat Tonga in their final group game on Oct. 1. Reporting by Nick Said Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mack Hansen, Cheslin Kolbe, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Nick Said, Christian Radnedge Organizations: South Africa, Springboks, Ireland, Tonga, Thomson Locations: Ireland, Paris, South Africa

☆ Ireland come out on top of bruising clash with South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Top-ranked Ireland claimed a 13-8 statement victory over defending champions South Africa in a high-octane heavyweight World Cup clash that lived up to the hype at a sweltering Stade de France on Saturday. Scotland and Tonga, who both lost their opening game in Pool B, face each other in Nice on Sunday. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi hailed his team's performance despite the loss. South Africa came into the contest with a 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench and Ireland boldly looked to keep the ball in play as much as possible, going for the corner instead of kicking early penalties. South Africa got onto the scoreboard first in a brutal start with a Libbok penalty as huge tackles and collisions drew oohs and aahs from the 78,542 crowd.

Persons: Andy Farrell's, Mack Hansen, Johnny Sexton, Jack Crowley, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie, Klerk, Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Hugo Keenan ghosted, Sexton, Robbie Henshaw, Hansen, James Lowe, Kolbe darted, Libbok, Crawley, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris Organizations: Ireland, South, Stade de France, Springboks, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Tonga, Nice, Africa, Ireland, France

☆ Springboks still on track to win World Cup - coach Nienaber
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - South Africa's lack of accuracy close to the Ireland tryline and off the kicking tee were major contributors to their epic 13-8 loss in a Rugby World Cup Pool B showdown on Saturday but the belief that they can win the World Cup still burns bright. By contrast, South Africa had numerous entries into the Ireland 22 but a mixture of excellent defence and their own inaccuracy proved costly as they slipped to a first World Cup defeat in nine games. "Hats off to Ireland, we missed a couple of points off the tee but I won't say it's only goal-kicking (that was the problem)," coach Jacques Nienaber said. "We lost two balls close to the Ireland tryline and we had another opportunity late on in the game. Nienaber said the defeat did not in any way diminish their belief that they could retain their World Cup crown.

Persons: Manie Libbok, scrumhalf Faf, Klerk, Jacques Nienaber, Nienaber, Siya Kolisi, haven't, Kolisi, Nick Said, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Marine Strauss, Clare Fallon Organizations: Ireland, Rugby, Springbok, Thomson Locations: Ireland, South Africa, Tonga, Marseille

☆ Argentina grind out 19-10 win over Samoa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | Thomson Reuters | Leads Coverage Of Sport Across The Asia-Pacific. Still Reports On The Full Panoply Of Sport. Many Olympics World Cups World Championships Grand Slams Grands Prix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SAINT-ETIENNE, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Fullback Emiliano Boffelli scored 16 points in a man-of-the-match performance as Argentina got their World Cup campaign back on track with a hard fought 19-10 victory over a committed Samoa on Friday. That set up a frenetic finale but Nicolas Sanchez, coming off the bench to win his 99th cap for Argentina, lashed over a final penalty from just inside the Samoa half to make the game safe and deny Samoa a losing bonus point. "It's pretty tough to win a test match, especially against a team of the calibre of Argentina with 40% possession," said Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua. England lead Pool D with nine points from two games, four points ahead of Samoa, who beat Chile 43-10 in their opener, and third-placed Japan with Argentina in fourth place on four points. Argentina laid siege to the Samoan try line at the start of the second half and finally came away with some points when Boffelli kicked his third penalty in the 53rd minute.

Persons: ETIENNE, Emiliano Boffelli, Boffelli, Michael Cheika, Christian, Sama Malolo, Nicolas Sanchez, Seilala Mapusua, Duncan Paia'aua, Alai D'Angelo Leuila, Manu, Nick Mulvenney, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Pumas, Wallabies, Samoa, Chile, England, Thomson Locations: Argentina, Samoa, Argentine, England, Japan, Saint Etienne

☆ Slipper returns to replace Tupou in Wallabies team to face Fiji
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | Thomson Reuters | Leads Coverage Of Sport Across The Asia-Pacific. Still Reports On The Full Panoply Of Sport. Many Olympics World Cups World Championships Grand Slams Grands Prix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Fiji is the most important match of our Rugby World Cup campaign," coach Eddie Jones said in a news release. "It's another big opportunity for our young side to keep getting better and we'll be ready on Sunday." The experienced Nic White will instead partner flyhalf Carter Gordon at halfback with rookie Issak Fines-Leleiwasa set to win his second test cap from the bench. Hooker Jordan Uelese has also recovered from injury and will back up starting rake David Porecki from the bench. Ben Donaldson, man of the match against Georgia after being brought into the side primarily for his place-kicking, retains the fullback spot ahead of Andrew Kellaway.

Persons: James Slipper, Andrew Boyers, ETIENNE, George Gregan, Adam Ashley, Cooper, Taniela Tupou, Stade Geoffroy, Eddie Jones, Jones, Tate McDermott, Nic White, flyhalf Carter Gordon, Issak, Rob Valetini, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Lock Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Hooker Jordan Uelese, David Porecki, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway, Jordan Petaia, Carter Gordon, Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper, Nick Frost, Angus Bell, Jordan Uelese, Blake Schoupp, Zane Nonggorr, Richie Arnold, Rob Leota, Lalakai Foketi, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Rugby Union, Wales, Evergreen Wallabies, Fiji, Georgia, Stade, Rugby World, Thomson Locations: Australia, Cardiff, Wales, Britain, Australian, Taniela, Fiji

☆ Very few positives for France after reserves struggle against Uruguay
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Lock Cameron Woki, a starter in both the New Zealand and Uruguay games, labelled the lack of discipline, which was patent in the scrums, as 'unacceptable' after France had conceded only four penalties against the All Blacks. We started off with a disciplined performance that enabled us to win the match against New Zealand," said Galthie. A World Cup is a long-term adventure, each match is a test and group life is very important," he said. "A match like this strengthens the squad, making it better and stronger for the match (against Namibia) in Marseille in a week." Only hooker Julien Marchand, who sustained a thigh injury in the 27-13 win against New Zealand, is not available.

Persons: Fabien Galthie, Pierre Mauroy, Bleus, Melvyn Jaminet, Lock Cameron Woki, you've, Galthie, Scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert, Charles Ollivon, haven't, There's Anthony, Jelonch, Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Uruguay, Rugby, New Zealand, New, France, All Blacks, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, Thomson Locations: France, New Zealand, Uruguay, Namibia, Marseille, Lyon

☆ 'Sad' Springboks mull over Marx replacement in World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It was in a contact session, it was a team run and it was just unfortunate," Nienaber told reporters on Friday. Rugby players work incredibly hard for four years to come to a World Cup, the players sacrifice a lot and their families sacrifice a lot. "Every individual in our team adds something to the Boks, so we lose that (with Marx). The Boks are holding off naming a replacement until after their Pool B clash with Romania in Bordeaux on Sunday, with Nienaber saying all options remain open. We will discuss it after the game, we are fully focused on Romania because we should show them that respect."

Persons: Malcolm Marx, Jacques Nienaber, Marx, Bongi, Nienaber, Malcolm, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok, Pollard, Malcolm wouldn't, Nick Said, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby, Springboks, Leicester Tigers, Thomson Locations: BORDEAUX, France, Toulon, Bordeaux, Romania

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