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☆ Morocco win but other heavyweights humbled in World Cup qualifiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

CAPE TOWN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Ghana and South Africa both suffered embarrassing defeats in World Cup qualification on Tuesday while top contenders Cameroon, Guinea, Senegal and Zambia also found it tough on the road as they all dropped points. On a busy day of 15 matches across the continent, there were also wins for Burkina Faso, the Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia and Uganda. But it was the Comoros, with a population of around a million, and Rwanda, ranked 140 in world football, who tore up the form book in beating Ghana and South Africa respectively. It was Rwanda’s first victory in their last 11 home matches and took them top of Group C, where they lead not only South Africa but also Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The next round of African qualifiers will be played in June, with the continent now turning its focus to January’s Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast.

Persons: Moroni, Myziane Maolida, Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha, Patson Daka, Hakim Ziyech, Bertrand Traore, Dango Ouattara, Tunisia’s, Youssef Msakni, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: Cameroon, Burkina, Ocean, African, Nations, Rogers Mato, Cape Verde Islands, Niger, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sao Tome, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Ghana, South Africa, Guinea, Senegal, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia, Uganda, Comoros, Rwanda, Cameroon, Africa, Butare, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Togo, Botswana, Somalia, Libya, Mauritius, Angola, Cape, Eswatini, Qatar, Tanzania, Dar, Lilongwe, Sao Tome e Principe, Ivory Coast, Cape Town

☆ Stengs grabs hat-trick as Dutch thrash Gibraltar 6-0
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FARO, Portugal, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Netherlands' Calvin Stengs netted a hat-trick as they easily disposed of Gibraltar 6-0 in their Euro 2024 qualifier on Tuesday although the Dutch did not come anywhere near to France’s record score at the weekend. Mats Wieffer, Teun Koopmeiners and substitute Cody Gakpo added the other goals for an experimental Dutch side completing their qualifying campaign, having already secured their place at next year’s finals in Germany. Stengs had the Dutch ahead in the 10th minute and added two more after the break, completing his treble with a strong left- foot effort inside the penalty box. The Dutch goal haul, however, was nothing near the 14 that France scored against Gibraltar in Nice on Saturday to set a record in the European Championship qualifiers. They finished second behind France in Group B while Gibraltar ended bottom after losing all eight games, conceding 41 and failing to score.

Persons: Calvin Stengs, Mats Wieffer, Teun Koopmeiners, Cody Gakpo, Stengs, Ronald Koeman, Jorrel Hato, Virgil van Dijk, Dayle Coleling, Mark Gleeson, Ken Ferris Organizations: France, Gibraltar, Ireland, Thomson Locations: FARO, Portugal, Netherlands, Gibraltar, Dutch, Germany, Nice, Cape Town

☆ Netherlands looking for both practice and goals against Gibraltar
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Dutch are up against a Gibraltar side reeling after a record 14-0 loss to France in Nice on Saturday and Koeman said his side would be looking for lots of goals, too. Against this opponent you want to see intensity and many goals," Koeman added. I want to feel afterwards that we have done everything we can to score goals. Wout Weghorst scored early in Saturday's game against the Irish but despite plenty of possession and chances, the Dutch were unable to add more goals. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ronald Koeman, Koeman, I'm, Wout Weghorst, Mark Gleeson, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Ireland, France, European, Germany, Thomson Locations: FARO, Portugal, Netherlands, Gibraltar, Germany, Amsterdam, Faro , Portugal, Nice, Dutch, Hamburg, Cape Town

☆ Four goals for Egypt's Salah but shock setback for Nigeria
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

CAPE TOWN, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Mohamed Salah scored four times and took his goal tally for Egypt past 50 as they began their World Cup qualifying campaign with an expected victory over tiny Djibouti while Nigeria were held to a shock home draw by Lesotho on Thursday. Nigeria, without injured Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, were held to a 1-1 draw at a rainy Uyo by the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho, who are 113 places below them in the FIFA rankings. Burundi also won in Group F, edging the Gambia 3-2 in their match played in Tanzania because of Burundi’s lack of a suitable stadium. The first two rounds of African qualifiers are played from Wednesday to next Tuesday, and will resume next June. Editing by xxOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, Motlomelo Mkhwanazi, Jose Peserio, Jonathan Muiomo, Riyad, Djamel Belmadi, Denis Bouanga, Kevin Denkey Organizations: Egypt, Lesotho, Qatar, Napoli, FIFA, Africa, Nations, football, Kenya, Major League Soccer, Belgian, U.S, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Djibouti, Nigeria, Cairo, Egypt, Lesotho, London, Kelechi, Mozambique, Botswana, Algeria, Somalia, Algiers, Gabon, Franceville, Burundi, Gambia, Tanzania, Sudan, Togo, Benghazi, Libya, Canada, Mexico

☆ Late Israel equaliser puts Swiss Euro 2024 qualification on ice
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The unbeaten Swiss moved top of Group I, with 16 points from eight matches, but only ahead of Romania on goal difference. Israel are third on 12 points with all three countries having two games left. Vargas came within inches of doubling his tally five minutes after his goal when he thundered a shot off the crossbar. As a result, Israel play four games in the space of nine days to complete their qualifying campaign. The Swiss face Kosovo in Basel on Saturday and then complete their campaign away in Romania on Tuesday.

Persons: Israel, Shon Weissman's, Ruben Vargas, Edimilson Fernandes, Weisman’s, Fernandes, Noah Okafor, Vargas, Sean Goldberg, Dor Turgeman’s, Turgeman, Yann Sommer, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: European Championship, Kosovo, Swiss, Palestinian, Hamas, Romania, Puskas Academy Arena, Thomson Locations: FELCSUT, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, Swiss, Romania, Israel, Kosovo, Budapest, Andorra, Basel, Cape Town

☆ Koeman picks Verbruggen as goalkeeper for qualifier against Ireland
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

“Bart Verbruggen will keep goal this week. I think that’s logical on the basis of the last two matches that we played,” Koeman told a press conference on Tuesday. Verbruggen won his first caps in the 2-1 home loss to France and 1-0 victory in Greece in Euro 2024 qualifying last month. “He has developed nicely at his young age,” Koeman said of the 21-year-old Verbruggen. Since Koeman took over this year, he has used Jasper Cillessen, who is now out of favour, Bijlow, Flekken and Verbruggen.

Persons: Bart Verbruggen, Ed Sykes, Ronald Koeman, Verbruggen, Justin Bijlow, Mark Flekken, “ Bart Verbruggen, ” Koeman, Bart, uncapped Andries Noppert, Louis van Gaal, Koeman, Jasper Cillessen, “, Nathan Ake, Steven Bergwijn, Brian Brobbey, Uncapped, Thijs Dallinga, Mark Gleeson Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion, Goodison, Hove, Republic of Ireland, Anderlecht, Hato, Ajax Amsterdam, Uncapped Toulouse, Thomson Locations: Liverpool, Britain, Brighton, AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Republic of, Amsterdam, Germany, Brentford, France, Greece, Gibraltar, Faro, Portugal, Qatar, Cape Town

☆ Gruelling African World Cup qualifying gets under way
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The New York/New Jersey's FIFA World Cup 2026 logo is revealed during the kickoff event in Times Square in New York City, U.S., May 18, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCAPE TOWN, Nov 14 (Reuters) - More places for Africa at the next World Cup finals has not lessened the intensity of the qualifying process, often described as the toughest in world football, and which kicks off this week. Carlos Queiroz, who coached Colombia, Egypt, Iran, Portugal, South Africa and now Qatar, once described the African preliminaries as "a nightmare". For the 2026 World Cup, the 54 African entrants were divided into nine groups with only the winners assured of a place at the finals. A total of 13 African countries, starting with Egypt in 1934, have played at the World Cup finals.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Carlos Queiroz, Ed Osmond Organizations: New, FIFA, REUTERS, U.S, Mauritius, D, Eritrea, January’s Africa, Nations, Rwanda, Wednesday’s, Central African, Thomson Locations: York, New York City, U.S, Africa, Asia, South America, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Egypt, Iran, Portugal, South Africa, Qatar, Cameroon, Douala, Libya, Morocco, Tanzania, January’s, Ivory Coast . Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Lesotho, Namibia, Niger, Sao Tome e Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan

☆ McIlroy finishes top of money list without hitting a shot
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Northern Irishman McIlroy, with 5,164.5 points going into the DP World Tour Championship at Dubai this week, has now finished top of the formerly named European Tour money list five times, first in 2012 and again in 2014, 2015 and last year. McIlroy, who made more than seven million euros ($7.48 million) in prize money in nine tour events this year, is 2,083 points ahead of second-placed Jon Rahm, the Masters champion, with Adrian Meronk third. Poland’s Meronk played in this weekend’s Nedbank Challenge at Sun City where he added 94.5 points after finishing 15th. The tournament in South Africa was won by American Max Homa, who finished four shots ahead of Denmark’s Nicolai HojgaardThe top 50 finishers in the Race to Dubai rankings will compete for a $10-million purse at Jumeirah Golf Estate from Thursday. ($1 = 0.9362 euros)Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rory McIlroy, Brian Snyder, Sun City . Northern Irishman McIlroy, McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Adrian Meronk, Poland’s Meronk, Max Homa, Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard, Mark Gleeson, Clare Fallon Organizations: United, Prix, CITY, Sun, Sun City . Northern, Dubai, European, Thomson Locations: United States, Americas, Austin , Texas, U.S, South Africa, Sun City ., Sun City, Dubai, Cape Town

☆ 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

☆ Ardie Savea named best rugby player of the year
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Final - New Zealand v South Africa - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 28, 2023 New Zealand's Ardie Savea in action with South Africa's Jean Kleyn REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 29 (Reuters) - New Zealand loose forward Ardie Savea was named World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year on Sunday, despite ending up on the losing side in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final. Savea was chosen ahead of Irish centre Bundee Aki, South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth and France captain Antoine Dupont, who won the award two years ago. Savea is the 11th All Black to win the award, which was first introduced in 2001. His award comes after a stellar season in which he helped New Zealand to win the Rugby Championship and a place in the World Cup final, which they lost 12-11 to the Springboks on Saturday. Ireland’s Andy Farrell was chosen as World Rugby Coach of the Year while All Blacks winger Mark Tele'a won the award for Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Persons: Denis, Africa's Jean Kleyn REUTERS, Sarah Meyssonnier, Savea, Bundee Aki, Eben Etzebeth, Antoine Dupont, Black, Ireland’s Andy Farrell, Mark Tele'a, Mark Gleeson, Clare Fallon Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Stade de France, Saint, Africa's, Rights, Saturday’s Rugby, New Zealand, Rugby Championship, Springboks, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: Zealand, South Africa, France, Saturday’s, New

☆ Uncertainty now for Springboks as winning era ends
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

First to be settled is what happens with Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, who is seen as the maverick genius behind the country's successive World Cup triumphs. He was coach in 2019 when they won in Japan but tweaked his role thereafter, relinquished the coaching post to his long-time lieutenant Jacques Nienaber. Both have been lauded for the analytical work and attention to detail and are likely to be sorely missed. None of the winning squad have spoken of quitting, either the game overall or their international careers, but the intensity of the World Cup campaign takes a toll as the 31-year-old centre Damian de Allende explained when asked whether he would continue with the Boks. "I would love to say yes but at the moment I have to take it year by year,” he said after Saturday’s victory.

Persons: Denis, Webb Ellis, Stephanie Lecocq, Rugby Rassie Erasmus, Jacques Nienaber, Felix Jones, Steve Borthwick, Duane Vermeulen, Damian de Allende, ”, “ I’m Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Stade de France, Saint, Rights, Irish, Leinster, South, England, Ireland, Twickenham, Thomson Locations: Zealand, South Africa, France, Japan, Africa, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Europe

☆ All Blacks tweak team with one change for World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

All Blacks coach Ian Foster changed his lock combination again with Brodie Retallick restored to the lineup and Sam Whitelock returning to the list of replacements in the only change to the starting team. New Zealand believe the 35-year-old Whitelock, playing his third World Cup final, is most effective coming off the bench, and could bring an injection of energy at a time when South Africa are refreshing their forwards. Six of New Zealand's matchday squad for the game are previous World Cup winners and the 23-man team has a collective total of 1,387 caps, making it the most experienced All Blacks squad for any of their record five World Cup finals appearances. "We've woken up this week to find ourselves in a World Cup final and we've worked to deal with all the distractions. They (South Africa) are great at their style, we want to be great at ours," added Foster.

Persons: Zealand's Brodie Retallick, Paul Childs, Ian Foster, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Whitelock, Retallick, Scott Barrett, Barrett, Nepo Lualua, Fletcher Newell, Foster, Sam Cane, We've, we've, Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert, Mark Gleeson, Ken Ferris Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Groupama, REUTERS, Blacks, Kiwis, Saturday’s Rugby, South, Springboks, Ireland, Argentina, New, Foster . New Zealand, Brown, Thomson Locations: Zealand, Italy, Lyon, France, South Africa, MALMAISON, Foster . New

☆ Springbok forwards know the stakes after final selection gamble
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PRESLES COURCELLES, France, Oct 26 (Reuters) - South Africa’s forwards know any successful outcome of Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final depends on how they dominate New Zealand upfront after the Springboks made a surprise selection gamble for the clash at the Stade de France. "It's going to come down to the forwards," said prop Steven Kitshoff, one of 15 players who were in South Africa's victorious World Cup final squad in Japan four years ago and who starts on Saturday. "We all know the brand and style that the All Blacks play and how dynamic they can be, but for us it’s all about work rate, the scrum battle, the lineout mauling. "It’s always big to play against the All Blacks, but to do so in a World Cup final is like a dream," he said. "I think for a player to play in a game like this, I don’t think it’s ever going to be any bigger.

Persons: Steven Kitshoff, Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Kwagga Smith, we've, De Klerk, Bok, Siya Kolisi, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Saturday’s Rugby, Springboks, Stade de France, New Zealand, Twickenham, Blacks, Ireland, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: COURCELLES, France, New Zealand, South Africa's, Japan, England

☆ 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

☆ Iconic All Blacks prepare to exit stage left but no time for sentiment
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

“We know that it’s the last game for some pretty iconic players but, quite frankly, we don't really want to talk too much about that. He was overlooked for selection for a second successive week with Foster picking Samisoni Taukei’aho as back up hooker instead. Telling Coles he would not get another chance to play for the All Blacks was hard for the coach. For Retallick, who has 108 caps, the chance to end his All Blacks career in a World Cup final was the ultimate. "You can’t put into words what it’s like being in World Cup final.

Persons: Ian Foster, Dane Coles, Brodie Retallick, Aaron Smith, Sam Whitelock, ” Retallick, Smith, Whitelock, Coles, Foster, Samisoni Taukei’aho, ”, “, “ He’s, He's, ” Foster, Scott Robertson, “ I’ve, Mark Gleeson, Ken Ferris Organizations: Rugby, Blacks, Stade de France, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: MALMAISON, France, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, Pau

☆ Forget Twickenham’s record win for Boks, it’s this weekend that counts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

This weekend is the one that counts. "If you look at our bench, even back in 2019, it has had a massive impact for the Springboks," he said. "For us, when we are on the bench, we know we've got a massive responsibility to fulfil. The nice thing is for us is that we can watch the first half and see where we could be falling short as Springboks," Smith added. You've got to be ready and make sure that you use your opportunity when you get it."

Persons: Kwagga Smith, Smith, Scott Barrett, It's, we've, You've, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby, All Blacks, Twickenham, Blacks, Kiwis, Kiwi, Springboks, Thomson Locations: COURCELLES, France, Africa, New Zealand, London, South Africa, Japan, England

☆ 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

☆ World Cup expands to 24 teams amid radical new calendar
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The 2027 World Cup in Australia will expand from the current 20 to 24 teams, split into six first-round groups containing four sides each. LATER DRAWWR said the draw for the next World Cup would be made in January 2026, the latest it has ever been held before a tournament. WR said they had addressed this by the introduction of a Nations League competition, with two 12-team divisions. There will be a second division with a further 12 teams, which will be run by World Rugby. There will also be a new, annual expanded Pacific Nations Cup competition in 2024 featuring Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the United States.

Persons: ”, Sir Bill Beaumont, Beaumont, WR, Mitch Phillips, Mark Gleeson, Clare Fallon Organizations: Biennial Nations League, Rugby, Nations League, Six Nations, Rugby Championship, World Rugby, WR, Nations, Thomson Locations: PARIS, Paris, Australia, France, Japan, Fiji, Canada, Samoa, Tonga, United States

☆ Pollard gamble pays off for South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 21 (Reuters) - An injury to hooker Malcolm Marx early in the Rugby World Cup threatened a major blow to South Africa’s hopes of retaining the title but the opportunity to call up Handre Pollard was a gamble that paid off handsomely in Saturday’s semi-final. Pollard, who kicked South Africa to the title at the last World Cup in Japan, was left out of the original 33-man squad after failing to prove his fitness. "We needed some energy and that's why we decided to bring on the bench early," the Springbok coach said. When South Africa won a scrum penalty two metres inside the England half with two minutes to go, the stage was set for Pollard. "Firstly the scrum penalty, that is what got us the opportunity," said Pollard.

Persons: Malcolm Marx, Africa’s, Handre Pollard, Pollard, Libbok, Jacques Nienaber, Siya Kolisi, ” Kolisi, It’s, Ed Osmond Organizations: Rugby, Springboks, New Zealand, Stade de France, Tonga, France, Springbok, South Africa, England, Leicester, Thomson Locations: Saturday’s, England, South Africa, Japan, Yokohama, France

☆ Tight margins made the difference for Springboks in win over France
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We knew it was going to be this tight. South Africa’s replacements outmuscled the tiring French and after Etzebeth’s try they went ahead and held on in the end to extinguish home hopes. “I must give credit to the guys that came off the bench, they came and made a huge difference,” added captain Siya Kolisi. In the knockout rounds anything can happen, there are going to be small margins right to the end," added Nienaber. And Mbonambi warned that South Africa’s defence of the title was not yet complete.

Persons: Jacques Nienaber, Eben Etzebeth, they’ve, Nienaber, Etzebeth’s, “, ”, Siya Kolisi, Mbonambi, “ We’ve, Mark Gleeson, Ken Ferris Organizations: France, South Africa, England, Stade de France, Springboks, Thomson Locations: South Africa, France, Paris

☆ Wales crash out in quarter-finals but show improvement through tournament
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Wales produced an impressive comeback at the Rugby World Cup from a litany of recent woes and, although they ultimately crashed and burned in Saturday's quarter-final, leave the tournament in a better place than when they arrived in France. "There's some exciting players coming through, players who aren't here. Hopefully they're inspired by this," he said after Saturday's quarter-final defeat"We're all gutted about that as it slipped away from us. Gatland has seen Wales through previous highs and lows, although more highs in the time he coached from 2007-2019, finishing his first stint by taking Wales to the semi-final at the last World Cup in Japan. He signed a five-year deal on his return in December which allows him another tilt at the next World Cup in Australia four years from now and Wales will surely keep him on, given his undoubted acumen.

Persons: Warren Gatland, you've, We've, Gatland, they're, they've, Muralikumar Organizations: Rugby, Wales, Six Nations, England, Fiji, Thomson Locations: Wales, France, Argentina, Marseille, Japan, Australia, UNDERCOOKED Wales, Bordeaux, Lyon

☆ Cubelli back as Argentina make double change for Wales quarter-final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But Isa will play at number eight against Wales with Juan Martin Gonzalez moving to the open side in place of Matera for the clash in Marseille. I love the fellas, they’re always together, they’re a very committed team and I know that they’ll really enjoy this occasion," Cheika told a press conference. Cubelli was the undisputed first-choice scrumhalf for the Pumas between 2017 and 2021 but he was sidelined after suffering a torn left thigh muscle before Scotland's tour of Argentina last year. “Obviously I think a lot of Tomas Cubelli because he’s in the team for Saturday," added the coach. He’s tough, he’s committed and he loves playing for Argentina and I think that sums him up,” said Cheika.

Persons: scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli, Michael Cheika, Pablo Matera, Facundo Isa, Isa, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Cubelli, Gonzalo Bertranou, Lautaro Bazan, they’re, Cheika, Tomas Cubelli, he’s, ”, Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Marcos Kremer, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Julian Montoya, Thomas Gallo, Agustín Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Nicolas Sanchez, Matías Moroni, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: Pumas, Matera, PARIS, Wales, Japan, Lautaro Bazan Velez, England, Samoa, Chile, Argentina, Thomson Locations: Argentina, Nantes, France, Matera, Marseille, Cheika, 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

☆ Wales tone down preparations as World Cup quarter-final looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOULON, France, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Wales coach Warren Gatland has deliberately toned down his side’s preparations this week, even though they face their most important game in four years, against Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. We purposely had a heavier week last week as we knew we were in the quarter-finals. Asked about the peculiarities of the knockout stages, Gatland said: “I think the first challenge is the pressure you’re under, firstly to make the knockout stages. “The quarter-final then poses pressure as you’re either here until the end of the tournament or you’re going home on Monday. Gatland said Wales faced a “big challenge” from Argentina despite their failure to impress at the tournament so far.

Persons: Warren Gatland, Gatland, “, ”, We’re, Wales, they’ve, They’ve, We’ve, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: Georgia, Marseille, England, Thomson Locations: TOULON, France, Wales, Argentina, South Africa, Japan, Samoa, Marseille, Paris

☆ Alldritt warns France need to increase intensity in World Cup quarter-final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - France will need to increase their intensity to match the physical challenge posed by South Africa in Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final, eighthman Gregory Alldritt said on Wednesday. It's up to us to put in more intensity than usual for 80 minutes," Alldritt told a press conference. "As we saw in Marseille last year they're a team that stays in the game for 80 minutes. One of the key battle in the game will be that between the loose forwards and Alldritt praised the opposing trio. "I think they're a reflection of the team, a back row that gives a lot in defence and attack for 80 minutes.

Persons: eighthman Gregory Alldritt, Alldritt, they're, We've, I'm, We're, we're, it'll, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Sunday's Rugby, Stade de France, Springboks, South, Thomson Locations: France, South Africa, Marseille, Paris

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