Alonso caught up in row

14th September 2007

Spaniard implicated through de la Rosa emails

Reigning world champion Fernando Alonso has been fully implicated in the FIA's findings behind their strict sanctions of McLaren in the spy scandal.

McLaren were stripped of all their constructors' points for this season on Thursday and handed a record fine of $100 million (£49.2million) as punishment.

In their 15-page judgment released on Friday, the FIA have published details of emails exchanged between Alonso and test driver Pedro de la Rosa, proving they were in unauthorised possession of highly confidential technical information belonging to Ferrari.

One section of the report reads: "The emails show unequivocally that both Mr Alonso and Mr de la Rosa received confidential Ferrari information via (Mike) Coughlan.

Confidential

"Both drivers knew that this information was confidential Ferrari information and that both knew that the information was being received by Coughlan from (Nigel) Stepney."

Mike Coughlan was suspended from his position as McLaren chief designer on July 3, the same day Ferrari sacked Stepney as their head of performance development.

It is understood Stepney forwarded a 780-page technical dossier to Coughlan, an accusation the former continues to deny.

But one email exchange between de la Rosa and Alonso dated March 25, 2007, is particularly damning.

It initially relates to the weight distribution of Ferrari's cars as set up for the Australian Grand Prix on March 18.

De la Rosa then pertinently concludes: "All the information from Ferrari is very reliable.

"It comes from Nigel Stepney, their former chief mechanic - I don't know what post he holds now.

"He's the same person who told us in Australia that Kimi (Raikkonen) was stopping on lap 18.

"He's very friendly with Mike Coughlan, our chief designer, and he told him that."

www.skysports.com

Johnson shrugs off `whingers` tag

Friday 14th September 2007

Australia attack coach Scott Johnson insists the Wallabies are not "whingers" for complaining about having to play their pivotal World Cup match with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Both head coach John Connolly and the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief executive John O'Neill this week questioned the fairness of awarding Wales home advantage in such a crunch match.

The victors will be on course to top Pool B and earn a quarter-final against the losers of Friday night's match between struggling England and powerful South Africa.

Connolly repeated his concerns again on Thursday - "I know in the Super 14 the home team wins most of the time and that tells you something" - but Johnson is one Australian who feels very much at home in Cardiff having spent five years working with Wales.

And he believes if the Wallabies can come through this challenge they will be well prepared for the knockout phases.

"We talk about big games, the World Cup final, semi-finals, and trying to emulate those environments is very difficult. We have the perfect forum to do that," said Johnson.

"This is as good as it gets, it is as big as its gets. If we do all right out of this it will put us in a good position later in the tournament."

Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock is relishing the chance to "turn the crowd" against Wales on Saturday.

"That is half the battle, I love playing here. The atmosphere is awesome. There are not too many grounds in the world that has supporters so vocal and passionate about their team but support the opposition if they play good rugby as well.

"To get out and play attractive rugby will be great and hear the Welsh crowd behind us will be even better."

Johnson was on the Wales staff during the 2005 Grand Slam campaign and took over as caretaker head coach at the end of the 2006 title defence following Mike Ruddock's departure.

He insists Wales have all the weapons required to make a serious imprint on this tournament and backed the inclusion of Gareth Thomas and Steve Jones in the side.

"I said after the last World Cup, of all the Celtic nations the first one to win it will be Wales," said Johnson.

"I felt they had the depth of squad and in my tenure here and since then, they have taken the All Blacks to a one-point loss and have beaten every other nation except South Africa. They can't be too far off.

"If they get a roll on they can do some damage and scare a lot of opponents. Mind you, so can we."

Wales believes Australia have made significant improvements since the 29-29 draw in Cardiff last November, as evidenced by their victory over New Zealand during the Tri-Nations.

Michael Foley has been credited with shoring up their notoriously weak scrum while captain Stirling Mortlock explained Johnson had freshened up their attacking style.

"Jonno has made a significant impact on the whole team, how we attack and how our mindset is on attack as well," said Mortlock.

"It has been a significant lease of life for a lot of guys who were involved in the same system for a number of years.

"Jonno has some very different mindsets on how to play rugby, how to look at things. That has been great for the team."

www.planetrugby.com

Carra fit for Pompey clash

By Peter O'Rourke   Last updated: 13th September 2007

Reds handed defensive fitness boost

Jamie Carragher has been declared fit for Liverpool's visit to Portsmouth this weekend.

The influential defender has recovered from the broken rib he picked up at Sunderland last month.

Carragher has come through training this week with no ill-effects and Reds boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed the former England international is back in contention for the trip to Fratton Park.

Available

"Carragher has been training normally with the rest of the players who've been here all week," Benitez told the club's official website. "He is okay and I think he will be available this weekend, which is good news for us."

Benitez also revealed that Harry Kewell and Fabio Aurelio are stepping up their comebacks from injury.

Fingers crossed

"Fabio Aurelio is now getting closer to the squad after playing 45 minutes for the reserves. Harry Kewell is also running again and is nearer to fitness," added Benitez.

"Today, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the safe return of all our internationals. It's not going to be easy for us to travel to Portsmouth tomorrow to play without one training session.

"All you can ask the players to do when they return is some running, so it's always a difficult time."

www.skysports.com

Alonso in Paris no-show

13th September 2007

World champion absent from FIA hearing

Fernando Alonso is refusing to explain why he's at Spa preparing for Sunday's grand prix while his team-mate's in Paris with McLaren for their FIA hearing.

Lewis Hamilton has spent his day at the FIA headquarters defending McLaren in their latest spy scandal hearing.

But while the McLaren rookie was standing up for the team and his boss Ron Dennis, Alonso's no-show in Paris raised a few eyebrows and more speculation as to whether this is just another sign that his relationship with the team is in tatters.

The Spaniard, though, is refusing to say anything on the matter.

"No comment,' he said during Thursday's pre-Belgium press conference.

"I will not comment anything about what is happening today, the answer will be the same as before.

"I am concentrating on this race, I don't think what can happen or what cannot happen in Paris. I am not on this matter today."

www.skysports.com

Record fine for McLaren

By Michael Wise  Last updated: 13th September 2007

Constructors' championship leaders thrown out of 2007 title race after Paris spy hearing.

The FIA has hit McLaren-Mercedes with an unprecedented $100 million fine and docked the team its constructors' championship points for the current season after finding them guilty of spying on rivals Ferrari.

However, after both the team's drivers gave evidence in the case, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have escaped sanction - meaning they are free to chase this year's world drivers' title.

"The WMSC (World Motor Sports Council) has stripped Vodafone McLaren Mercedes of all constructors points in the 2007 FIA Formula One world championship and the team can score no points for the remainder of the season," the FIA said.

"Furthermore the team will pay a fine equal to $100 million (£49.2 million), less the FOM income lost as a result of the points deduction."

The WMSC has also withheld a decision regarding next year's constructors' championship until the team's 2008 car can be scrutinised to see whether it uses Ferrari intellectual property.

"The WMSC will receive a full technical report on the 2008 McLaren car and will take a decision at the December 2007 meeting after what sanction, if any, will be imposed on the team for the 2008 season," the statement added.

Hamilton leads Alonso by three points in the drivers' standings with just four races - including Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix - remaining.

But the verdict means that McLaren's 23-point constructors' championship lead over Ferrari has been wiped, leaving the latter a full 57 points ahead of BMW Sauber.

Dossier

The team had originally been found guilty of the 'fraudulent conduct' charge in July, after McLaren designer Mike Coughlan was found in possession of a 780-page dossier - given to him by Ferrari's former head of performance development, Nigel Stepney.

However, on that occasion, the FIA decided there was insufficient evidence that McLaren had actually used the information to its advantage.

FIA president Max Mosley then referred the case to a Court of Appeal, but after fresh evidence surfaced - purported to be an email exhange between Alonso and McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa - a second WMSC hearing was instigated.

A detailed breakdown of the FIA's new findings will be released by the governing body on Friday.

Dennis: 'Reputation damaged'

In the aftermath of the verdict, McLaren team boss Ron Dennis said: "The most important thing is we go motor racing this weekend, the rest of the season and every season.

"This means our drivers can continue to compete for the world championship.

"However, having been at the hearing I do not accept that we deserve to be penalised or our reputation damaged in this way.

"Today's evidence given to the FIA by our drivers, engineers and staff clearly demonstrated we did not use any leaked information to gain a competitive advantage."

Ferrari responded by saying: "In light of new evidence, facts and behaviour of an extremely serious nature and grossly prejudicial to the interest of the sport have been further demonstrated.

"Ferrari is satisfied that the truth has now emerged."

McLaren have yet to announce whether they will appeal against the verdict.

www.skysports.com

Habana is the `headline act`

Friday 14th September 2007

England winger Josh Lewsey has hailed the Springboks' try machine, flyer Bryan Habana, as "the headline act" of this year's World Cup.

Habana made a scintillating entry to the tournament, claiming four touchdowns as South Africa opened their Pool A campaign by crushing Samoa 59-7 at Parc des Princes last Sunday.

He has now scored 26 tries in just 29 Tests, and poses a major threat to England's hopes of beating South Africa in their crunch Pool A match on Friday.

Wasps star Lewsey, no slouch himself with 21 Test touchdowns from 50 appearances, has the daunting task of marking Habana when two of the World Cup heavyweights get to grips with each other at Stade de France.

While try-scoring opportunities could be at a premium if two juggernaut packs take centre stage, Lewsey remains acutely aware of the danger Habana poses.

"If you give Bryan [Habana] time and space he will hurt you, and the effectiveness of the back-three is dictated by the rest of the team's performance," Lewsey said.

"He is the headline act in the World Cup.

"He is phenomenally fast with great footwork - he has all the tricks. And being at the top of his game means he will be a challenge for anyone to play against.

"Playing wing is a fickle business, and when the team is playing well you get opportunities. There is no-one better than Bryan Habana at taking chances at the moment.

"He is causing excitement and he is a big draw for the crowds.

"We have watched the DVD's and seen him in action, and while you have to accept he is playing phenomenally well, you have to concentrate on your own game.

"Against Habana, you can either get shown up or everyone will be waxing lyrical about what you did.

"He is odds-on to be the tournament's top try-scorer, but he is a very self-effacing and humble person."

Habana's genial running lines caused mayhem in the Samoan defence, firing warning signals to England that if they allow him similar space tomorrow, then he will again wreak havoc.

England have changed their back-three for the Springboks test, switching Jason Robinson from wing to full-back instead of Mark Cueto, while handing Lewsey's Wasps colleague Paul Sackey the number 11 shirt.

Games between the countries though, have a reputation for being close, forward-dominated contests, with defences coming out on top.

"Habana would be a big challenge for anyone playing against him, but ultimately it is about us pulling together and working in the right direction," Lewsey added.

"The biggest challenge, personally, and as a team is our defence, and we have to play a pressure game.

"Four years ago, the World Cup game against South Africa [in Perth] turned on a charge down and kick through from Will Greenwood. It decided the match.

"You cannot afford to give a team like South Africa momentum, and regardless who I am up against during the game - Habana or one of their big forwards - I have to put the tackles in.

"If we get our basics right and execute well, then we will give ourselves a chance of winning the game."

www.planetrugby.com

Preview: England v South Africa

Thursday 13th September 2007

Decisions have been made and on Friday night in Paris still more decisions will be made which will have a serious bearing on the future progress of each of these sides at the Rugby World Cup. After all the winner has a much gentler path from Saturday onwards.

Decisions were made about the composition of the two teams. Each of the teams had outside input into their decision-making. Phil Vickery of England and Schalk Burger of South Africa will not be playing because they have been cited and suspended. It is a decision more likely to affect South Africa than England. Who will do the tackling if Burger is not there?

The decision-making does not seem to have been always as decisive as one would expect. England had a tough decision to make with the absence of both its top fly-halves. Jonny Wilkinson is yet to be fit enough to play in the World Cup and Olly Barkley, his replacement against the USA, was injured during the week. That left coach Brian Ashton to decide on another fly-half - between Mike Catt and Andy Farrell, and the lot fell upon Farrell. Or did it? Did it really fall on Catt? Does it mean that wearing 10 and 12 will be numbers on the back more than set positions at scrum and line-out? No doubt Farrell and Catt will work closely together and may even interchange. But it does mean that there is bulk to meet bulk should the Springboks use their heavies to pound down the fly-half's channel.

If they interchange what will it be to do? Farrell at fly-half on South African ball to tackle at close quarters? Catt at fly-half on England ball to kick and to give Farrell a chance to charge at Steyn? The way they are positioned may well be a key to the way England plays and its chance of success.

And there were all the other decisions surrounding team selection and how that team is going to play. After all both sides will want to have their best players available and be at their very best.

They have met in Paris in a World Cup before - back in 1999 at the same ground on a day when England were expected to win and got clobbered. This time, it seems, South Africa are expected to win. Will they get clobbered?

Overconfidence has forever been the besetting sin of South African rugby. They are best with backs to the wall, when the writing on the wall writes them off. Now England are at a low ebb, battling to keep head above water, vilified from all quarters, battling to score tries, generally unimpressive.

South Africa are on the up. They are said to have a monster pack of abrasive individuals and they score tries. How much bigger their monsters are than the England monsters is a moot point, and in any case will size in this contest matter most? They score tries - kings of the intercept, rather than the flowing, well constructed tries that Wallabies and All Blacks are capable of - and the French were able to do before they met the Pumas.

Like all teams England and South Africa work on their defensive patterns and like the way that they defend. Tries could well be a rarity - depending either on the rolling maul or a burst of speedy genius. Wouldn't be fascinating to watch two sides of collective Sumo wrestles moving, mastodon-like, towards a goal-line while the referee struts around saying things like "Get back", "That's once"? It may not be entertaining but for ardent supporters victory is the greatest entertainment of all.

Imagine how the English relief at victory will burst out into exuberance if their team wins.

It may not be an entertaining match. We may well have two fly-halves sitting back and hoofing downfield.

That said England has not a Bryan Habana. Jason Robinson's feet are on the ancient side now and no longer skip long the green land as once they did, whereas Habana is a special talent. The South African centres look better than their opposite numbers where young Frans Steyn could be a handful for ageing Mike Catt, though Catt is likely to be less prone to error and may well have Farrell to do some of the tackling for him.

On the other hand England do not have a player as erratic and inexperienced as the Springbok wing, JP Pietersen.

At scrum-half South Africa seem to have a decisive edge in Fourie du Preez and important player with his all-round skills.

That takes us to the pack. This could be a pretty even match unless some side can find a means of getting the big men on the rumble forward. This is where Du Preez and Juan Smith and even Butch James could be telling for South Africa.

The line-outs could be interesting for South Africa with the athletic Victor Matfield who seems so able to suss out the opposition. After all England lost three against the USA.

The scrums will be a hard battle.

England may well find it beneficial to have had an extra day's lay off since their first match and to have played less abrasive opponents than the Samoans in their first match.

Players to watch:

Andy Farrell (England). He has not had a great time since switching from Rugby League - a big man but yet to show if he is a clever one. A fly-half traditionally needs to be clever but much may well depend on the puppet-masters and the strings they pull. But then how is he going to be fly-half? Is he going to be fly-half? Will he and catch swap positions? Will this add to Farrell's confusion?

Bryan Habana (South Africa). Will he be able to keep it up - so slight , so slender, so electric? He is a shining light in the black sameness of world rugby.

Head to Head: Burly Butch James (South Africa) against burlier Andy Farrell (England). Frans Steyn, the young South Africa against Mike Catt, the old South African. Veteran Os du Randt (South Africa) against young Matt Stevens (England) who probably idolised the popular old warhorse when he was growing up in South Africa. Big Danie Rossouw (South Africa) against big Nick Easter (England), neither a creative No.8, could provide an interesting bashing match.

Results since the last World Cup:

2007 South Africa won 55-22 at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2007 South Africa won 58-10 at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
2006 South Africa won 25-14 at Twickenham, London
2006 England won 33-21 at Twickenham, London
2004 England won 32-16 at Twickenham, London

Prediction: Beware the British bulldog when it is an underdog. Be nervous about the Springbok when it starts pronking before time. Put your head on a guillotine and say England by three points.

Teams:

England: 15 Jason Robinson, 14 Josh Lewsey, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Mike Catt, 11 Paul Sackey, 10 Andy Farrell, 9 Shaun Perry, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Tom Rees, 6 Martin Corry (captain), 5 Ben Kay, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Mark Regan, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Perry Freshwater, 18 Steve Borthwick, 19 Lewis Moody, 20 Andy Gomarsall, 21 Peter Richards, 22 Mathew Tait.

South Africa: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 François Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Danie Rossouw, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Wikus van Heerden, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Brendon Botha, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Os du Randt.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Johann Muller, 19 Bob Skinstad, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 André Pretorius, 22 Wynand Olivier.

Date: Friday, 14 September
Kick-off: 21.00 (20:00 BST, 19.00 GMT)
Venue: Stade de France, Saint Denis
Expected weather conditions: Scattered clouds with a high of 23°C, dropping to 13°C and a northwesterly wind of 14 km/h., dropping to 7 km/h.
Referee: Joël Jutge
Touch judges: Kelvin Deaker, Carlo Damasco
Television match official: Simon McDowell
Assessor: Ian Scotney

By Paul Dobson www.planetrugby.com

Coughlan names names

Thursday 13th September 2007

Mike Coughlan has finally spoken publicly about the Stepneygate scandal, saying he did receive Ferrari's secrets from Nigel Stepney and he did tell McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh's about it and even drew drawings for Paddy Lowe, McLaren's engineering director.

As McLaren face the FIA's World Motor Sport Council in Paris today, Coughlan has publicly revealed potentially damning evidence against McLaren, who suspended him after the scandal broke.

Coughlan has revealed that it was Stepney, Ferrari's sacked chief mechanic, who provided him with the Scuderia's secrets back in mid-March of this year. Stepney, though, has denied this all along.

"He is not a close friend," Coughlan told Autosport. "We are acquaintances who are both in the business of Formula One and have maintained cordial relations over the years.

"Stepney contacted me for the first time in five years on March 1st 2007.

"He subsequently telephoned me and informed me that he was very unhappy with the direction his career was taking at Ferrari and Mr Almondo's promotion above him.

"But he did not pass any technical information about Ferrari to me until mid-March 2007."

However, once he did pass that information to Coughlan, the Brit showed it to McLaren, something the Woking team has claimed never happened. The information included designs of Ferrari's floor device, a rear wing flap separator, and a technique to lower the floor of the car.

"Details of the floor device were sent to me by email to my McLaren work email address," Coughlan continued. "I showed the email fleetingly to Martin Whitmarsh, who asked me to take up the issue with Paddy Lowe, McLaren's engineering director.

"I produced a schematic drawing for Lowe, which I understand he forwarded to the FIA. The FIA subsequently declared the floor device as falling outside the regulations.

"Details of the rear wing device were also sent by email to me. I briefly showed this email to Lowe. I understand he reported this to Charlie Whiting of the FIA at the Melbourne Grand Prix, but he was of the opinion that the design was legal.

"As for the information about the subtle engineering technique, I felt it was inconsequential and so I did not show these details to anyone."

An attack of conscience in April though, led to McLaren setting up a firewall to block any emails from Stepney and Coughlan arranging to meet Stepney to ask him to "stop communicating to me any further."

However, that meeting instead led to Stepney handing Coughlan a "bundle of documents which he asked me to look at. My engineering curiosity got the better of me and I foolishly took the documents from him.

"I casually flicked through them over the course of 25 minutes or so the journey took for Stepney to drive me to the airport. I kept hold of the documents and took them home with me. I did not look further at the documents that weekend."

In fact Coughlan is adamant that he ever barely looked at the material handed to him by Stepney.

"I looked at the papers given to me by Stepney on only a few occasions," he stated. "Certainly the time I spent looking at them in total between receiving them and the search at my house on July 3rd was no more than one to two hours.

"I did not look at them in a discursive or methodical way, nor did I look at all of the documents.

"In the limited period of time I spent reviewing the documents, it was not possible to glean anything that would be of material use to McLaren that we did not already know from our own observation and photographs of Ferrari's car."

However, whether the FIA will believe that won't be known until later this afternoon.

www.planet-f1.com

FIA propose McLaren`s expulsion

Thursday 13th September 2007

According to reports on the BBC, the FIA's World Motor Sport Council has proposed that McLaren are excluded from the 2007 and 2008 World Championships.

However, the corporation claims that the exact nature of the punishment which will be meted out is still being discussed.

As such, Lewis Hamilton's World Championship bid may yet be rekindled, with McLaren expelled from the Constructors' Championship but both Alonso and Hamilton permitted to compete for the Drivers' title.

The FIA has confirmed that a definitive verdict is now imminent.

The new smaller Murrayfield

Thursday 13th September 2007

The Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) has shortened the in-goal area at Murrayfield for the two Rugby World Cup games to be played there.

The in-goal area at Murrayfield is usually 17 metres deep, however it will be shortened to just ten for Scotland's games with New Zealand and Romania.

The reason for this change is to bring the pitch size in line with those in France. As well as the in-goal area being reduced the width of the pitch will be reduced to 68 metres, instead of the usual 70.

"We have to bring the Murrayfield pitch into line with what the players are playing on in France," said Mark Laidlaw, Murrayfield's head of facilities.

"This should not be a problem as all the teams have played at least one game in France, with the shorter in-goal area."

Who`ll be England`s ten?

Thursday 13th September 2007

England coach Brian Ashton has let the cat out the bag, literally. He has revealed that Mike Catt will wear the number 10 shirt in their crunch World Cup Pool A match against South Africa in Saint Denis on Friday, and not Andy Farrell as first reported.

However, the England coach said that both Catt and Andy Farrell - who was originally named at fly-half - would operate as inside backs, suggesting there would be considerable interchanging between the numbers 10 and 12 positions.

England have been forced into some radical surgery, after fly-halves Jonny Wilkinson and Olly Barkley were both ruled out of the Springboks game due to injuries.

Former Great Britain Rugby League captain Farrell will go into the Stade de France showdown as first choice goal kicker - a game that England must win to have any realistic chance of topping Pool A.

Ashton believes that Wilkinson and Barkley could both be fit for the appointment with Samoa next Saturday.

Wilkinson is battling to recover from an ankle ligament sprain, while Barkley has a hip problem.

Both suffered their injuries in unopposed training mishaps.

Ashton has decided against flying out a replacement, despite the current fly-half situation.

Bristol prop Darren Crompton has arrived as temporary cover though, after England sought clarification from World Cup organisers.

With skipper Phil Vickery suspended for the next two games, England currently only have three props available - Matt Stevens, Andrew Sheridan and Perry Freshwater.

If anything was to happen to any of those forwards before kick-off time on Friday then England, technically, would be unable to field a team under International Rugby Board (IRB) regulations.

Crompton, 35, would go on to the replacements bench if England encountered any further front row problems.

www.planetrugby.com

Preview: New Zealand v Portugal

14/09/2007 Sportal.co.nz

Portugal has taken the right attitude into Saturday's World Cup game with the All Blacks, it is the experience of a lifetime, but that is unlikely to see the intensity of the New Zealand performance diminish.

VENUE & TIME: Gerland Stadium, Lyon, Saturday, September 15, 23.00 NZT.

HEAD TO HEAD: First time fixture

WALKING WOUNDED: Of the New Zealanders, only lock Keith Robinson and utility forward Reuben Thorne are on the injured list. Conrad Smith comes back into the team after being forced out of the opening game against Italy due to a hamstring twinge. Portugal has made nine changes to its team which performed so creditably in its opening game with Scotland.

FORM: Clearly the All Blacks were one of the few leading teams to switch straight into gear, largely due to pent up frustration from not having played in the previous seven weeks. A near new selection takes the field against Portugal and has the stated goal of wanting to up the ante from the opening performance. Portugal, rather than being content with the minnow status it has been credited with, took on Scotland and while always likely to lose, it did show it had some fine basic techniques, although the speed of the All Blacks will fully test the side's defensive capabilities.

WHO'S HOT: It's still early days in the tournament but of the players who appeared in the first game both locks Chris Jack and Ali Williams showed outstanding form, especially with their contributions during the first quarter of the game. Jerry Collins thrived on the action and was to the fore in the latter stages with memorable displays of his skills. Mils Muliaina had a quiet day at centre but can expect much more room to manoeuvre at fullback this time around. Portugal's Pedro Carvalho has achieved hero status in his homeland for scoring his country's first World Cup try and it would make his day to score against the All Blacks.

WE THINK: Other countries have not been able to make as big an impression as expected against the lesser countries, but the All Blacks could provide the exception against Portugal. The problem for Portugal is that the less favoured players in the All Blacks side have few chances to push for a place in the top 22. These sorts of games are their chance and if the All Blacks can mount anything like a cohesive thrust for 80 minutes, then a massive score is in prospect.

TEAMS:

New Zealand: 1 - Neemia Tialata, 2 - Andrew Hore, 3 - Greg Somerville, 4 - Chris Jack, 5 - Ali Williams, 6 - Jerry Collins (captain), 7 - Chris Masoe, 8 - Sione Lauaki, 9 - Brendon Leonard, 10 - Nick Evans, 11 - Joe Rokocoko, 12 - Aaron Mauger, 13 - Conrad Smith, 14 - Isaia Toeava, 15 - Mils Muliaina.

Reserves: 16 - Anton Oliver, 17 - Tony Woodcock, 18 - Carl Hayman, 19 - Rodney So'oialo, 20 - Keven Mealamu, 21 - Andy Ellis, 22 - Leon MacDonald.

Portugal: 1 - Andre Silva, 2 - Joao Correia, 3 - Ruben Spachuck, 4 - Marcelle d'Orey, 5 - Goncalo Uva, 6 - Paulo Murinello, 7 - Diogo Coutinho, 8 - Vasco Uva (captain), 9 - Luis Pissarra, 10 - Goncalo Malheiro, 11 - Pedro Carvalho, 12 - Diogo Mateus, 13 - Migual Portela, 14 - Antonio Aguilar, 15 - Pedro Leal.

Reserves: 16 - Rui Cordeiro, 17 - Joaquim Ferreira, 18 - David Penalva, 19 - Tiago Girao, 20 - Joao Uva, 21 - Jose Pinto, 22 - Duart Cardoso Pinto.

REFEREE: Chris White (England)

Touch judges: H Watkins (Wales), M Jonker (South Africa)

Patriots' spying scandal raises technology questions

By Greg Sandoval September 13, 2007 4:00 AM PDT cnetnews.com

 

Pro football has a Clancy-esque spy story going. It can even be called Patriot Games.

The New England Patriots of the National Football League are accused of conducting electronic surveillance in an effort to steal hand signals from opponents. The murky tale of rule breaking features clandestine videotaping and suspicious radio frequencies. Some in football believe that this is all wrong; not just the cheating, but some look down their noses at the kind of cheating.

This situation isn't like grabbing someone's jersey away from the refs or corking a bat. This is cloak-and-dagger stuff. We're talking about the New England Patriots, not the Patriot Act.

The scandal has me thinking that while technology has contributed to sports in countless ways and is not the cause of the team's debacle (dishonest people are), it has raised the question about whether too many gizmos and gadgets have encroached too far onto our playing fields.

Take for example radio-equipped helmets. Over a decade ago, the NFL began allowing teams to field one offensive player, typically the quarterback, wearing a radio. Coaches are allowed to communicate with the QB (who is unequipped to transmit messages) until 15 seconds remain on the 40-second play clock, at which time an NFL official cuts off the communications with a push of a button. The signals are encoded to prevent their being intercepted.

The league says the Wi-Fi system reduces the need for coaches to call timeouts and helps eliminate botched plays that sometimes occur when quarterbacks misread their coaches' hand signals.

But when do the games start becoming less about human ability and more about contests between Cyborgs? Consider that the NFL's competition committee narrowly rejected a bid this year to equip a defensive player with a radio helmet. Others in the league are pushing hard to outfit every offensive player with a radio.

Why stop there? Why not set them all up with transmitters as well. Let's let them chat and alert each other about misdirection plays, fake punts and blown pass defenses. This way they can strip all the surprises out of the game.

Craig Mathias, a principal at Farpoint Group, a wireless and mobile consulting firm, says the technology is available to equip individual NFL players with a transmitter, battery pack and antenna that wouldn't hinder their movements and would stay relatively out of sight.

"The biggest issue would be battery life," Mathias said. "That and antenna orientation would have to be figured out. They could wear a compact antenna that would have limited range. As for batteries, since the players are always coming off the field anyway, they could swap them out then."

Should the NFL decide to make such changes, it runs the risk of creating an entirely different sport, according to Marvin Cobb, a former free safety for the Cincinnati Bengals.

"In my opinion, introducing voice communications would change the nature of the game," said Cobb, an NFL player from 1975 to 1980. "Football is really about the offense deceiving the defense. When I was playing, it would have been nice when I (was fooled by) a tight end crossing pattern for someone to tell me that (former NFL quarterback) Craig Morton was throwing a post pattern to somebody behind me.

"What radios do," Cobb continued, "is remove some of the individual thinking and finesse from the game."

Burger will know by Thursday

Wednesday 12th September 2007

Star Springbok flank Schalk Burger will know on Thursday if his World Cup ban, for a dangerous tackle on Samoan scrum-half Junior Polu, will be reduced or expunged.

The South African team management on Wednesday appealed against what they termed a 'shocking and incomprehensible' four-match World Cup suspension handed down to Burger.

The appeal hearing will take place at 08.00 (06.00 GMT) on Thursday, 13 September, in Paris.

Burger was cited for a dangerous high tackle on the Samoan scrum-half, Polu, in the Boks' 59-7 win in their opening match in Paris at the weekend.

The flanker, who maintained he was contesting the ball in the air, caught Polu across the face with a forearm jolt as the Samoan No.9 jumped to catch a high ball in the first half of the match at the Parc des Princes.

Burger was penalised by New Zealand referee Paul Honiss, who deemed that no further sanction was required.

But the incident was picked up by citing commissioner Douglas Hunter and Burger appeared in front of a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday - which lasted more than four hours, before he was slapped with the four-match ban.

The judicial officer (JO), Terry Willis, upheld the citing complaint and determined that Burger breached Law 10.4(e) and committed a dangerous tackle on Polu.

Burger pleaded not guilty and alleged that contact occurred between Polu and himself as he attempted to win possession.

However, the JO determined that Burger executed a reckless and sloppy tackle that was high and dangerous whilst the opposing player was in the air and therefore in a vulnerable position.

While Bok coach Jake White has conceded that he will probably not have his player available for Friday's decisive Pool A match, he is hoping to have the burly flanker when the Boks enter the play-off stages next month.

If the ban stands the Bok No.6 will miss four World Cup matches - including Friday's vital Pool A game against England. The suspension also covers South Africa's remaining three group games against England, Tonga and the United States and a quarter-final match - assuming South Africa qualifies, against possibly Australia or Wales.

Burger was originally named in the matchday 22 for South Africa's crunch pool match against England, but it is expected that Wikus van Heerden will be handed the No.6 shirt when White confirms his starting XV later on Wednesday.

Bok team manager Zola Yeye also expressed his outrage at the ban.

"I can only say that, in the context of the match, this a shocking and incomprehensible sanction," Yeye told this website in an interview from the team's base in Paris.

"If you look at the match in context, you will see there were a number of very dangerous tackles.

"One in particular that stands out is that of [Samoa veteran] Brian Lima [on Springbok replacement André Pretorius]," Yeye said of a second-half incident in which Lima hit Pretorius high and late.

"Now if you look at that tackle [of Lima on Pretorius - which did not result in a citing], I can only say that this [the ban of Burger] is a shocking sanction."

When asked about the appeal, Yeye concluded: "[Yes], we are sitting down with the lawyer now and we are appealing the verdict and the sanction. Schalk [Burger] is a valuable player to us and we are determined to ensure he gets treated fairly."

By Jan de Koning www.planetrugby.com

Wallabies bulk up for Wales

Wednesday 12th September 2007

Australia have made two changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's crucial Pool B clash with Wales at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium.

Drew Mitchell, who bagged a brace of tries in the Wallabies' tournament opening 91-3 victory over Japan last week, has been elevated to the left wing.

Mitchell's inclusion comes at the expense of Adam Ashley-Cooper, who injured his toe late in the Wallabies' 88-point victory in Lyon.

Ashley-Cooper will be given until Friday to prove his fitness and has been bracketed alongside Julian Huxley for the final place on the reserves bench.

The other change to the Wallabies starting line-up comes in the forwards, with Al Baxter making way for Guy Shepherdson to return at tighthead prop.

Coach John Connolly has reverted to a 5-2 split on his reserves bench, selecting five reserve forwards and only two replacement backs.

Flanker Phil Waugh is the major beneficiary of the move, returning to the bench after missing out on selection for last week's clash with Japan.

Utility back Scott Staniforth has been called onto the reserves bench to cover a number of positions in the backline, while Mark Chisholm is in line to make his Rugby World Cup debut after claiming the reserve lock's jersey.

Connolly said the Wallabies had been building towards the Cardiff clash throughout the year.

"This is a crucial game as far as our Pool is concerned and a lot of what we have done over the past twelve months has been preparing us for this game," said Connolly.

Connolly said the sold out Millenium Stadium will provide the perfect backdrop for the crucial Pool B match up.

"Playing in front of a packed Millenium Stadium in a World Cup will be an unforgettable experience for the players. Its something they will treasure for the rest of their lives," he said.

The match will have extra significance for lock Dan Vickerman, who celebrates his 50th Test cap for the Wallabies.

Australia have won 11 of their last 13 tests against Wales, but have not downed Wales at Millennium Stadium since 2001 (21-13). They played a drawn test, 29-all, at the ground last year.

Australia and Wales have met three times at the World Cups, with Australia winning twice (1991 and 1999) and Wales the other (1987).

Australia: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Stephen Larkham, 9 George Gregan, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman, 4 Nathan Sharpe, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Matt Dunning
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 Stephen Hoiles, 20 Phil Waugh, 21 Scott Staniforth, 22 Julian Huxley/Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Date: Saturday, September 15
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 BST)
Referee: Steve Walsh
Touch judges: Mark Lawrence, Craig Joubert
Television match official: Christophe Berdos
Assessor: Steve Hilditch

www.planetrugby.co.za

I don't feel sorry for McCaw - George Smith

By RUPERT GUINNESS in Montpellier - SMH | Wednesday, 12 September 2007

Wallabies flanker George Smith relishes the prospect of his All Black rival Richie McCaw being targeted as an illegal player by the World Cup referees.

Both openside specialists share an incredible ability for ball scavenging at the breakdown and testing the patience of referees by playing to the limit of laws.

But McCaw, the All Blacks captain, has found himself in front of the blowtorch of vigorous referees throughout this season at Super 14 and test levels.

And Smith, while one of the very best No7s after McCaw, is hardly sympathetic for the Kiwi – fairly or not – having developed a reputation for playing illegally.

"Perception is a lovely word. If the referee gets a perception of what a player is like then that is going to stay with him until it is proven otherwise,'' Smith said. "I am happy for him to get a lot more attention than myself. Then it takes away from his game and my game goes unnoticed. That's a good thing.''

Smith, whose his 80th test in last Saturday's World Cup opener against Japan in Lyon was highlighted by his brilliant 62nd-minute try, admits that mastering the art of a specialist No 7 involves mastering a battle of wits with the referee.

Smith says he doesn't keep hard copy files on referees (or players) to review in preparation for a match, as some players do on their opposition numbers.

But since his 2000 test debut against France, he has accrued a vast mental data base of knowledge about how they handle games and interpret the laws.

"I've played [under] a number of them to know how they play. I play what's in front of me,'' said Smith who will take mental notes about the World Cup referees while they handle other games in case they control a Wallaby match.

Smith took notice of English whistle-blower Tony Spreadbury's run of the World Cup opener between France and Argentina last Friday that saw the hosts lose.

"We saw on that first game that Spreadbury was very quick on the not releasing rule which benefits a lot of backrowers. It will always be consistent with different referees and you have to adapt,'' said Smith.

"This weekend, for the team that adapts to the referee a lot quicker, it will be an advantage for them.'' Smith will be focused on that exact task this Saturday when the Wallabies take on Wales in their biggest pool round at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

"It's an important game and a game that we definitely would love to win, and win convincingly,'' said Smith who was not in the side that drew 29-29 to Wales at Cardiff last November, but did play when they went down 24-22 there in 2005.

"'It's always been a difficult task playing the Welsh at Millennium Stadium. It will be no different this weekend. We will definitely have to bring our 'A game'.'' Smith, whose spot in the Wallabies starting side is under constant threat from Phil Waugh who captained it at Cardiff last year, is enjoying his best ever form.

His try against Japan when he tackled and ripped the ball from Japanese No 13 Koji Taira and bolted 35m to score was simply superb.

"I blindsided him, came up with the ball, fended him off and went to the tryline.

''That 30-40m felt like 100m, said Smith. ''I don't have too many tries in a Wallaby jersey. But it would have been one of my best. I had my auntie and my cousins up in the stand who I heard went crazy.''

On form, it is hard to imagine Smith being benched against Wales to allow Waugh's return to the XV after being missing the 22-man squad for Japan.

But wherever he is named in the 22-man lineup on Wednesday, Smith realises that with 80 caps already at the age of 27 he is fast approaching a 100th test.

"I would like to make that century. But you have to play consistently good. I feel I am in the greatest form. And I have never felt as strong as I am, '' he said.

All Blacks look for a silver lining

By TONY SMITH in Marseille - Fairfax Media | Wednesday, 12 September 2007

The All Blacks will wear silver jerseys for the first time in their history in next week's World Cup clash with Scotland

Silver – or dark slate with black panels – has been the All Blacks' alternate strip for the last two years. But they have yet to wear it in a test match.

Previously the All Blacks played in white when forced to change due to a colour clash.

The general rule in rugby is home teams change strips – a reversal of the order that exists in international football where visitors turn up in their second-best clobber. Thus, the All Blacks have played in white against Scotland in New Zealand and the Scots have switched to white when hosting the All Blacks at Murrayfield.

Scotland plays the All Blacks in Edinburgh on September 23. But it is a World Cup fixture, and as such, is treated as a neutral match.

A toss was held some time ago to determine which side would wear its traditional strip. Scotland won the coinflip and will play in blue. The All Blacks will sport silver for the first time.

The colour clash issue – once a black and white matter – now has shades of grey for the All Blacks.

Several teams have now moved to darker strips. Wales has also adopted grey as its alternate uniform – an appropriate choice given its unconvincing performance against Canada.

Host nation France is wearing a much darker shade of navy blue at this tournament.

That could have proved to be a potential pitfall for the All Blacks if the two teams were to meet in the World Cup final.

But given France's wretched form against Argentina that may not be so much of a problem.

There is no colour clash between the green of South Africa and the black of New Zealand.

Meanewhile, Graham Henry may have promised his All Blacks "don't want to kill" Portugal, but that hasn;t stopped him sending for his heavy brigade – all 717kg of it.

Henry has stacked his squad with seven front-row forwards – almost certainly an All Black first – for Saturday's World Cup Pool C match in Lyons.

All three hookers and all four props have been named in the 22, although some have dual duties. First-choice hooker Keven Mealamu will start on the bench as loose forward cover. The world's top tighthead prop Carl Hayman will deputise at lock – his schoolboy position.

The poor Portugese will be quaking at their knees at the prospect of facing prime Kiwi beef, from Neemia Tialata, who tips the scales at 127kg, to Mealamu at a mere 106kg.

Henry continued his caring, sharing former school headmaster stance by insisting the All Blacks would show some sensitivity towards part-time Portugal.

Henry said the All Blacks would take a responsible approach at scrum-time. "If we've got dominance at scrum-time, and hopefully we will have, we just don't want to kill people, if you understand my logic.

"I think we need to be sensitive about, if we've got big scrum dominance, how we handle that scrum dominance and make sure we look after opposition props to some extent. I think that's pretty important."

Henry explained his rationale for choosing five forwards and two backs on his bench by stating that the concrete-mixers in the tight five need as much time on the track as they can get.

Anton Oliver, who will again be the reserve rake, agreed with the big-is-best stance, although he used slightly bigger words than his gaffer.

"With our physiology, we probably need to play more because we are bigger chaps and aerobic fitness is harder to come by," Oliver said. "The steaks are more alluring, especially in the south of France."'

While Hayman, Mealamu, Tony Woodcock , Tialata and Oliver all saw action against Italy, this will be the first outing for starting hooker Andrew Hore and tighthead prop Greg Somerville, who will play his first test of the year.

With locks Keith Robinson and Reuben Thorne on the mend from chronic leg injuries, skipper Richie McCaw is the only fully fit forward not named for the Portugal mismatch. Henry has confirmed he will revert to naming close to his top team for the third pool match against Scotland.

Collins will lead the All Blacks for the second time after his captaincy bow in Buenos Aires last year against Argentina.

Sione Lauaki will start his first test since 2005 at No 8 with Chris Masoe replacing McCaw on the openside flank.

The speedy Brendon Leonard and Nick Evans have been paired in the inside backs with Conrad Smith recovered from a hamstring strain to play at centre, outside Aaron Mauger.

The most interesting backline selection is the naming of specialist centre Isaia Toeava on the right wing –_ opposite Josevata Rokocoko.

Henry said Smith and Toeava would both get game time at centre and the selectors believed "Isaia's probably our fourth winger".

Backs coach Wayne Smith said the public should not read too much into Toeava's placement on the wing. "I think he's good enough to play a lot of positions. But he's also good enough to nail down one position. This is just a case of us needing to give Conrad time as well. It's to meet our needs more than anything else."

Burger suspended for four matches

12/09/2007 allblacks.com

Following a RWC 2007 judicial hearing Schalk Burger has been banned for four matches for "executed a reckless and sloppy tackle that was high and dangerous whilst the opposing player was in the air and therefore in a vulnerable position".

It was determined that the offence was in the mid range of seriousness. "There were no aggravating circumstances. However, there were several mitigating factors including Burger's remorse in relation to the incident, his excellent conduct during the hearing and his good disciplinary record. During 34 Tests for South Africa, 42 Rebel Sport Super 14 games and 22 Currie Cup games for his province he had never been before a disciplinary committee for such an offence.

The entry point for a mid range offence is six matches. However the it was decided in this case the suspension should be four matches in light of the mitigating factors.

These ABs would have 'belted us' - Foxy

Monday, 10 September 2007

Ever the realist, Grant Fox does not view the past with misty-eyed romanticism.

Fox was the points-scoring machine in the New Zealand All Blacks side who won their only World Cup to date in 1987.

A pragmatic flyhalf with no frills, Fox kicked 17 of New Zealand's 29 points in the final against France and totalled 645 in his international career.

The 1987 team led by David Kirk were a fine side. Over the next two years under Wayne Shelford they touched greatness. How, Fox was asked, would they have fared against modern day professional teams?

"They'd belt us," Fox said without hesitation in an interview in London as the All Blacks prepared in Marseille for their latest tilt at the elusive William Webb Ellis trophy.

"I saw some video clips recently in New Zealand of us playing in the World Cup final and we were small and we were skinny and we had those awful shorts that were so high, it was embarrassing to watch.

"In our era we were a pretty useful side. But if we took us as athletes then and the way the game was played then, and put us up against these guys they would kill us. They're bigger, stronger, faster, fitter."

Comparisons over the decades with the vast changes in diet, equipment and training are meaningless in most sports and particularly so in rugby union which was still an amateur game in Fox's day.

Fox instanced Bert Cooke ("nine stone wringing wet"), the electric centre in the 1924 side, and Colin Meads, voted by the New Zealand public as the greatest All Black of them all, as players who would be outstanding in any era.

"Colin Meads would be a great player today. But he would play six, he wouldn't be tall enough for a lock now although in his day he was huge," Fox said.

"If you took a lot of the players from that 87, 88 and 89 side and put them in a modern day environment they would be great players today."

The Berlin Wall was still standing when New Zealand last won the World Cup and Ronald Reagan was president of the United States. Did Fox think on June 20, 1987, that his nation would still be waiting for a second trophy 20 years later?

"If I was brutally honest, no," he replied. "In New Zealand the public are desperate for it, of course. In a funny way they're almost more desperate than the players.

"There will be a lot of relieved people in New Zealand if we succeed this time around. If not? It will just be four more years." – Reuters

Honiss under siege as 'worst' ref

By TONY SMITH in Marseille - Fairfax Media | Tuesday, 11 September 2007

New Zealand referee Paul Honiss has taken a hammering from the international press and Samoan officials for some key calls in Samoa's loss to South Africa. His performance was rated the "worst in World Cup history".

Samoan coach Michael Jones said he did not want to make the refereeing an excuse for the 59-7 defeat on Sunday. But he called on referees to be consistent and even-handed.

"We're not dumb. We know how to play this game. I'd like to think they (the referees) are looking at the teams through the same lenses. Everyone's accountable because there's so much at stake here. All we ask for is consistency."

Jones, the former All Black superstar, said referees were "paid enough and trained enough to get it right 95 per cent of the time".

"When it comes to the World Cup they have to get it right, especially for little nations like us."

Samoan captain Semo Sititi was even more scathing after the match, saying he was very disappointed with Honiss' rulings and that he had told him "there are two teams out here playing, not one".

"Always these decisions go against us, and they have an effect."

However, Springboks skipper John Smit had no qualms with Honiss.

"That was one of his best games," the Sharks hooker said.

Honiss was under fire in the international media for refusing to award Samoa a second-half try to Joe Tekori, ruling he was off-side at a ruck.

There was also an outcry when he failed to sin-bin Springbok flanker Schalk Burger for taking Samoa's Junior Polu out in mid-air.

New Zealand video referee Bryce Lawrence was also criticised for awarding a dubious try to Bryan Habana – one of four the Springbok wing scored.

Some international journalists also believed play should have been over before Percy Montgomery scored to give South Africa a 21-7 lead at half-time.

Leading English rugby writer Chris Hewett implied Honiss' refereeing display was the worst in World Cup history.

The New Zealander's performance "plumbed depths previously unvisited by officials at a World Cup, including his good self. And he has a fair bit of history in this regad, does Honiss," Hewett wrote in London's Independent.

Both Hewett and Guardian writer Paul Rees said the Argentinians had only just stopped complaining about Honiss' rulings on their scrummaging in the 2003 World Cup opener against Australia.

"It is hard enough for the developing nations, hampered as they are by a lack of finance and an inadequate competitive playing programme, to keep pace with the leading teams without referees such as the New Zealander Paul Honiss to further widen the divide with uneven decision-making," Rees wrote

A chance to reflect on early form

By Neil Reid, Yahoo!Xtra Sports
September 11, 2007

The most notable thing about day four of the Rugby World Cup is that there are no games on today

To date four teams - Georgia, Tonga, Fiji and Romania - are yet to touch the ball in anger at the tournament.

They will get their first taste of the atmosphere in France on Tuesday and Wednesday (local time).

So after each of the big-guns has had a crack, it's a good time to review their early form. Here is how I see it to date.

The All Blacks: Unleashed an amazing opening 25-minute burst against Italy, eventually destroying them 76-14.
It was a great statement of intent, especially considering the side hasn't played a test since July.

The Springboks: Inspired by a four-try burst from Brian Habana, the physicality they showed in the 59-7 win over Manu Samoa should have rivals taking notice.

The Wallabies: The 91-3 win over Japan looked great on the scoreboard, but it has exposed the side to some nasty early injury concerns. Mark Gerrard's World Cup lasted just 30 seconds before suffering a tournament-ending knee injury. But it was a strong allround showing from the Wallabies.

France: The mountain of expectation as hosts got the better of them against Argentina. It highlighted the inconsistency of France. That too is a threat, they are just as likely to turn on champagne rugby at the flick of a switch.

England and Ireland: Fans of the respective teams would hate to be lumped together. But unfortunately, the chances of their respective nations winning the World Cup are the same - NIL.

What do you guys think?

Honiss under the pump yet again!

The ref so many New Zealand fans love to hate has already made headlines for the wrong reasons in France.

His handling of Saturday's Springbok/Manu Samoa clash has been rubbished in some sections of the media.

The efforts of his New Zealand touch-judge Lyndon Bray and TMO Bryce Lawrence have also come in for a public slaying.

And it isn't just the media who have taken pot-shots at Mr Honiss.

The normally-reserved Manu Samoa captain Semo Sititi had no hesitation in venting his spleen at a post-match media conference.

Sititi stated: "I was very disappointed with the referee.
"I hope I don't get fined for saying this. I told him: There are two teams playing here, not one.

"The decisions always seemed to go against us and our spirit went down."

I too hope Sititi isn't fined. If anyone should be hit in the pocket after the match, it should be Honiss.

I didn't make the game - but I made the after-match!

It was with great sadness that I had to turn down an offer to play in a rugby festival on the outskirts of Marseille on Sunday.

Securing follow-ups to the breaking news of Steve Hansen's departure from the All Black camp, and the need to check on the side's injury status, meant missing the media session would not have been a wise thing.

But I did have the pleasure of getting to the official after-match function for the tournament that includes sides from France, Slovenia and Italy.

And what a night - another pearler of an evening here in Marseille.

Taking on a street party feeling, it was hosted on the same small lane that is home to the Little Canterbury bar.

As the amber liquid flowed throughout the night, each team took turns at performing its own adopted anthem.

There was even an Italian haka. Seriously!

I returned to my hotel late in the evening armed with some lovely gifts given to me to take back to New Zealand.

The hospitality of the Marseille people is a common theme of this blog - and it will certainly be one of the biggest things I will cherish from my own World Cup journey!

Boks` Burger cited

Tuesday 11th September 2007

Springbok flank Schalk Burger has been cited for a dangerous tackle on Samoan scrum-half Junior Polu during his team's 59-7 World Cup win on Sunday.

The burly Bok forward now faces the prospect of missing out on his team's crunch Pool A match against England at Stade de France, Saint Denis, on Friday.

Burger was not sin-binned by referee Paul Honiss, after taking out Polu in mid-air, a decision which caused fury in the Samoan camp.

But the incident has been picked up by citing commissioner Douglas Hunter and Burger will appear in front of a disciplinary hearing as soon as it can be arranged.

Burger is a key player for the Springboks and a guilty verdict could see him suspended from Friday's pivotal game in Paris.

England are also sweating over a disciplinary ruling ahead of the game, with captain Phil Vickery due to appear in front of a hearing on Tuesday.

Vickery was cited for kicking United States centre Paul Emerick during England's 28-10 victory at the weekend.

www.planetrugby.com

England plan Habana shutdown

Tuesday 11th September 2007

England are plotting a Jonah Lomu style fixation on Bryan Habana for their crucial encounter with South Africa, much like the Springboks adopted in 1995.

The prolific Habana scored four tries on Saturday as the Springboks demolished Samoa 59-7 in their opening match.

And according to Mike Ford, the world champions' defence coach, England will be attempting to limit the flow of ball to the Blue Bulls star this Friday.

"You can't man-mark him," Ford told BBC Sport.

"What you can do is stop his source, and try to stop the ball going towards him. It is going to be a tough day but not one we are frightened of."

Ford also believes Habana's impressive early form can be partly owed to the consultancy influence of former Australia coach Eddie Jones, who is focusing on the Springboks' attacking aspect.

"Eddie Jones has got him popping up here, there and everywhere," added Ford.

"Probably a year ago he stayed on the left wing, but now he can be in the middle of the field or even on the right wing."

www.planetrugby.com

Burger: `It is win at all costs`

Monday 10th September 2007

Victory in any form or shape will do when South Africa face England in a decisive World Cup Pool A clash Stade de France, Saint Denis, on Friday.

It is generally expected that the winner of this game would have the easier route through the play-offs and face the second-place finisher of Pool B - either Australia or Wales.

For that reason, according to star Springbok flanker Schalk Burger, it will not matter how victory is achieved.

It is expected that both teams will take a win-at-all costs approach because of the importance of the encounter and Burger's comments seem to support this view.

"It is going to be a tough one against England, but all that matters is to win," Burger said of Friday's crunch encounter.

The Boks will go into the game in Saint Denis as favourites, after the two teams achieved varying levels of success.

England, the current Worlds Cup holders, struggled through their opening match and managed an unimpressive 28-10 win over the lowly United States at the weekend.

They could also be without captain Phil Vickery, who is facing a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday after kicking out at an opponent, and injured fly-half Jonny Wilkinson - the latter facing a fitness test on Tuesday.

The Springboks, despite a slow start, raced away in the second half of their encounter with Samoa and recorded an emphatic 59-7 win.

"It was very physical at the beginning of the game, but we expected that because Samoa always play that way," Burger said.

"We were not in doubt though, and in the second half it was much easier. The Samoans were tired after a fantastic beginning.

"Now, we've got to look past this game and get prepared for the next one.

"We didn't start the Samoa game well. We made a lot of errors and conceded many turnovers.

"It was quite a difficult game to approach. We didn't think about England, but it was in the back of our minds."

Springboks coach Jake White is due to name his starting line-up for the England game on Tuesday and has only one selection poser - who to name in place of the injured centre Jean de Villiers at No.12.

White is unlikely to deviate far from the side that blitzed Samoa by scoring 50 unanswered points, which included four tries for wing sensation Bryan Habana.

Blue Bulls centre Wayne Julies has flown to France as replacement for De Villiers, who tore a left bicep muscle which will require surgery.

However, White could start with young Francois Steyn at inside centre, after his accomplished performance as a second-half replacement for De Villiers against Samoa.

www.planetrugby.com

Ease off? No way say All Blacks

11/09/2007 NZPA

Coach Graham Henry's directive for his All Blacks players to show "sensitivity" to Portugal in their World Cup match on Saturday appears to be falling on deaf ears.

Henry and assistant coach Wayne Smith will this week ask their players to be sensible against a team of amateurs who may well field their second-choice lineup for the pool C clash at Lyon.

Smith also said it was important not to "humiliate" the tournament newcomers, who were brave but ultimately overwhelmed 56-10 by Scotland in St Etienne yesterday.

Prop Greg Somerville looked like he had been asked to eat a rotten egg when the coaches' comments were put to him today.

He said easing off in rugby, particularly at prop, was never an option.

"Not where I come from. In the front row, if you get pushed around then you're not a chance for the week after," Somerville said.

"I don't think anything changes. If you want to achieve what we've set out to then you've got to commit yourself fully, there's no holding back really."

Somerville's name should be there when the starting team is unveiled tonight (NZ time), ending more than a year out of the black jersey spent recovering from two operations on his Achilles tendon and more recent surgery on an eye injury.

The last thing he wanted was to let himself down on return.

"I have to put everything in to make sure the technique's right," he said.

"You're asking for trouble if you don't go in with the right methods.

"It's early stages yet, we've only had one game and there's a lot of things we want to work on."

Another front-rower, Andrew Hore, also said the Portugal forwards couldn't expect an easy ride. He was certainly unconcerned about suggestions the minnows were at greater risk of injury.

"I worry about myself getting injured, I'm not too worried about what happens to other people," he said.

"If you go out there thinking you're going to take it easy, that's probably when you do get in trouble.

"You don't want to go out there thinking it's going to be easy because it will bite you on the arse pretty much."

A French journalist was probing flanker Chris Masoe on the topic, a complex question ending with, "will you show no mercy?".

"Something like that," was the response from the Wellington flanker.

After a day off, the All Blacks had their first team meeting today to review the 76-14 defeat of Italy, before training in very hot afternoon conditions.

It was the first open session since they arrived in Marseille, with about 250 invited spectators on hand.

Lock Keith Robinson, sidelined for a second week with his calf injury, underwent separate testing and was involved in several long conversations with medical staff.

Centre Conrad Smith ran through most of the drills in an encouraging sign but fellow-hamstring strain sufferer Reuben Thorne didn't train.

There was a scare when lock Chris Jack went to ground clutching his left shoulder. However, he resumed training and was later sporting an ice pack before practice wound up.

$25 million boost for Community rugby

11/09/2007 allblacks.com

The New Zealand Rugby Union today announced a $25 million investment in community rugby from 2008 until 2011 as the organisation unveiled its new four-year Community Rugby Plan.

The new Plan, which follows on the success of the initial Plan from 2004 until 2007, outlines the NZRU’s commitment to the community game for 2008–2011. Today’s announcement brings the total investment in community rugby to $48 million over eight years.

NZRU Deputy Chief Executive Steve Tew said the Plan builds on a partnership with the 26 Provincial Unions with the goal of continuing to strengthen community rugby.

“It is important for us to have the full support and commitment from our Provincial Unions because they are ultimately the people who need to help implement and deliver the Plan, and are directly responsible for the welfare of their schools and clubs,” Tew said.

“A key initiative is for us to continue to improve the administration of rugby in our schools and clubs which will build on the success of the previous Plan.”

One of the successes of the previous Plan was the overall growth in player numbers by 13% during the period 2004 – 2007, despite a 4% drop in 2007.

As part of the new Plan, the NZRU will also set up a contestable fund of $300,000, which will increase to $500,000 by 2011. Provincial Unions can apply for financial support for initiatives unique to their region that will benefit the development of community rugby in their area.

NZRU Community Rugby Manager Brent Anderson said the new Plan continued the vision of the NZRU to ensure that rugby at the community level is healthy and strong.

“We want to get as many people as possible involved in rugby and make their experience enjoyable so they remain active in the game for a long time. Over the last four years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people involved in rugby, from players to coaches and referees, and other volunteers and administrators,” Anderson said.

The key focus areas of the new Plan are:

Small Blacks rugby for children under the age of 13

• Continue the Small Blacks Development model, a pathway for junior rugby from age 5 to 13. The model was developed to align the rules of the game with the children’s ability to perform in a safe and enjoyable manner.
• Make rippa rugby, the non-contact version of rugby for young children introduced in 2004, the game of choice at all New Zealand primary schools through providing rippa rugby units to all primary schools and promoting their rippa rugby tournaments.
• Provide a Small Blacks Positive Action Pack for the families and teams of Small Black players to educate them on their roles in Small Black rugby.
• Continue to produce relevant education units for teachers and pupils at primary schools, using rugby as a theme to make learning fun for children.

“It is important that rugby is fun and enjoyable for children and that we put the right structures in place to help them develop their skills in line with their physical ability,” Anderson said.


Teenage rugby for players in Under 14 – Under 20 age group

• Develop a School Enhancement Model in conjunction with Provincial Unions to help improve the standard of secondary schools rugby.
• Continue the Rugby Administrators in Schools programme which provides a part-time administrator to assist schools to organise and run their rugby programme.
• Produce a Secondary Schools Best Practice Manual that provides templates and examples of best practice for running a rugby club.

“Retaining players in this age group is critical for the future of club rugby. Adolescents face many decisions at this stage of their life and we have to ensure that rugby remains an attractive option for young men and women,” Anderson said.

Club development

• Develop a rugby specific Club Development Assessment Tool to help clubs highlight successful programmes and identify areas that need to be improved.
• Continue the Club Liaison Officer programme which provides a hands-on resource to clubs to help them improve their administration.
• Continue the Volunteer Support Programme to recognise and reward volunteers who support community rugby.

“Club rugby remains the foundation of the game in New Zealand and it is important that rugby remains relevant in the communities in which it operates,” Anderson said.


Rugby World Cup 2011

• Primary schools to organise and Provincial Unions to administer Rippa Rugby World Cup tournaments in 2011 to create interest in and awareness of the event. Winning teams, each representing a tournament participating nation, to play in a national final.
• Offer registered volunteers priority for Rugby World Cup volunteer positions.

Coaching

• Develop a competency based coach accreditation system to ensure that we have quality coaches at all levels of the game.
• Immediate and free access to quality resources through the launch of a website specifically for coaches.
• Aim for 100% attendance rates at RugbySmart courses. RugbySmart is a nationwide injury prevention programme for players, coaches and referees, developed jointly by the NZRU and ACC.

“There is a strong link between player development and the quality of coaching they receive hence it is important that we ensure our coaches have access to the resources required to improve their coaching,” Anderson said.

Refereeing

• Develop new national referee coach modules to improve the training and support available to referee coaches to help them improve the quality of referee development.
• Provide relevant resources for referees online.

“Just like we continue to develop our players and coaches, the same applies to referees and one of the focus areas of the Plan is to upskill our referee coaches so they can, in turn, provide quality coaching to our referees,” Anderson said.

Maori rugby

• Organise marae and iwi-based competitions in conjunction with local Maori Rugby Boards and Provincial Unions to provide opportunities for Maori players outside of traditional club rugby.
• Continue the three annual regional tournaments to provide an opportunity for players to represent their province.

“Maori rugby has a unique place in New Zealand rugby and we need to foster and grow Maori rugby at the community level,” Anderson said.

Fifteen of the best!

Tuesday 11th September 2007

Our glorious tradition of picking the bolters of the week continues unabated in the World Cup, and after a thrilling first round of fixtures there was much to debate.

But after a few lubricating ales and a pie - another glorious old tradition - we reckon that the democracy involved got it pretty much spot on, but no doubt you could pick a few holes in it...

The Planet Rugby Team of the Week:

15 Percy Montgomery: A brace of tries, a terrific kicking performance, and a spot-on display of full-back cover from Monty, rolling back the years.

14 Doug Howlett: A hat-trick of well-finished scored to add to his collection, and Howlett now stands only one try away from topping the all-tim All Black try-scoring lists. And who would begrudge him?

13 Tom Shanklin: The Welsh backs were largely anonymous until the entrance of Stephen Jones and Gareth Thomas, but Shanklin was the exception, making break after tackle after half-break, and often being the glue that held everything together.

12 Felipe Contempomi: Juan Hernandez had an indifferent night at number ten, but with Contempomi at his back as a good old-fashioned New Zealand-style second five-eighth, Hernandez was given a pretty easy ride too. An exemplary match from one of the game's finest.

11 Bryan Habana: Unanimously voted for, Habana scored four tries against Samoa, beating tackles, stepping defenders, and generally busying himself magnificently.

10 Dan Carter: Fly-half was a tough call, but Carter's early tactical astuteness in spotting the shortcomings of Italy's back three was the key to his side's avalanche of tries.

9 Agustin Pichot: Another to nearly take the vote unanimously, Pichot's masterminding and marshalling of the Pumas' pack's defensive efforts, as well as of his team's clever use of attack and front foot platform, was exemplary.

8 Vasco Uva: A professional contract surely beckons for Portugal's captain, who never once shirked his formidbale task, and never once stopped smiling!

7 Richie McCaw (c): Our other unanimous call, McCaw showed once again why he is the best openside in the world... can he hit higher peaks than this?

6 Rocky Elsom: Has his detractors, but Elsom's running and strength came to the fore in an open game against Japan, as did his supporting abilities, which yielded his hat-trick of tries.

5 Victor Matfield: The king of South Africa's line-out, and a giant in the loose.

4 Nathan Hines: Scotland were not firing properly on the day, but they got a steady stream of stolen line-out ball from the big Perpignan lock.

3 Carl Hayman: Yellow-carded he may have been, but we'll accept that from someone who spent the other seventy minutes making enough mince out of Italy's primest beef for a year's supply of Bolognese - compensating for the year's supply of food Italy failed to win.

2 Mario Ledesma: It was a right royal battle of the hookers on Friday, between Ledesma and Raphaël Ibañez, both hookers who like to get themselves about a bit. But Ledesma was so good at his extra flanker role, as well as a top-notch hooking performance.

1 Rodrigo Roncero: The veteran prop showed why the locals at Stade Français find it so hard to break into the French champions' starting XV with a vintage scrummaging performance.

Teams represented:

Argentina 4 - Felipe Contempomi, Agustin Pichot, Rodrigo Roncero, Mario Ledesma
New Zealand 4 - Doug Howlett, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Carl Hayman
South Africa 3 - Percy Montgomery, Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield
Wales 1 - Tom Shanklin
Scotland 1 - Nathan Hines
Portugal 1 - Vasco Uva
Australia 1 - Rocky Elsom

Individual XVs:

Andy Jackson XV: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Ryan Witbooi, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Felipe Contepomi, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Agustín Pichot, 8 Vasco Uva, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.

Adam Kyriacou XV: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Felipe Contepomi, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Agustin Pichot, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 CJ Van der Linde, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Matt Dunning.

Marcus Leach XV: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Doug Howlett 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Piet van Zyl, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Morgan Williams, 8 Vasco Uva, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Luke Tait, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.

Danny Stephens XV: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Felipe Contempomi, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Olly Barkley, 9 Agustin Pichot, 8 Vasco Uva, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jacques Nieuwenhuis, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 CJ Van der Linde, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Ignacio Corleto, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Mils Muliaina, 12 Felipe Contepomi, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 10 Olly Barkley, 9 Agustin Pichot, 8 Danie Rossouw, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero

Dave Morris XV: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Ryan Witbooi, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Felipe Contepomi, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Agustin Pichot , 8 Vasco Uva, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Scott Murray, 4 Fabien Pelous, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Os du Randt

Howard Kahn XV: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Felipe Contepomi, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Agustin Píchot, 8 Vasco Uva, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Ali Williams, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Os du Randt.

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Nani Corleto, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 BOD, 12 Felipe Contepomi, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Morgan Williams, 8 Jacques Burger, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Os du Randt.

Siya Mchunu XV: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Mils Muliaina, 12 Felipo Contemponi, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Agustin Pichot, 8 Jacques Burger, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.

O`Driscoll in the clear

Monday 10th September 2007

Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll is available for Saturday's World Cup clash with Georgia in Bordeaux.

O'Driscoll sustained a hyper-extended elbow in Sunday night's 32-17 victory over Namibia and appeared for the post-match press conference with his right arm in a sling.

But the discomfort has eased and the Lions centre will lead Ireland, who name their team on Tuesday afternoon, in their second World Cup group match.

A statement from the Irish camp read: "Brian's injury has settled down overnight and following treatment.

"The injury did not require an x-ray but will continue to be monitored during training this week.

"It will not rule him out of selection for the game against Georgia."

There was also an encouraging update on Ronan O'Gara and Marcus Horan, who sustained foot and back injuries respectively, with the Munster duo set to be included in the team for Georgia.

The statement continued: "Ronan bruised his left foot against Namibia but this has also improved over the last 24 hours and he is no longer an injury concern.

"He is expected to take part in training tomorrow. Marcus Horan received a knock to his upper back and has some muscular bruising in this area.

"He will not take part in training tomorrow, but is expected to be available for the weekend's game."

In a final fitness boost for Ireland, Shane Horgan was given the all clear to make his first appearance in the tournament.

Horgan suffered a knee ligament strain while warming up before last month's clash with Scotland but has completed his rehabilitation on schedule.

The statement said: "Shane Horgan will take a full part in training this week. His recovery means he will be available for Georgia."

Preview: USA v Tonga

Tuesday 11th September 2007

The United States Eagles will inevitably soar with superfluous confidence into their clash against Tonga at Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier on Wednesday.

After restricting World Cup holders England to a mere 18-point margin, the Eagles would have been perfectly content to bask in the glow of their most recent performance for a few more days.

However, it's Brian Ashton's men who must ponder until Friday, when they face the impressive South Africa in what could be a worrying non-event.

Yet, with just three full days' recuperation, USA coach Peter Thorburn will surely not allow his charges to find themselves in the clouds, as the fresh Tongans present an especially stern test.

So, it will be the Eagles versus the Sea Eagles, with the latter opening their World Cup account six days after the ceremony.

The Islanders' population of 100,000, roughly the same as Bath, means that they are the smallest country to reach the finals.

However, coach Quddus Fielea is in no mood to celebrate that fact as he intends to hit the ground running in Montpellier.

"This is the best team we've ever had. It is the first time we have all the players available for the World Cup," he said.

And there will be some familiar faces on show with former Sale and Newcastle Falcon Epi Taione - Paddy Power to those pandering to sponsorship larks, and the affectionately-known 'Tongan Torpedo' Nili Latu in their ranks.

But what can the World Cup expect from a side tipped to hover under the Pool heavyweights?

They arrive in France on the back of a 26-14 warm-up win over Edinburgh in Scotland, but are sure to hit new heights with a squad full of promise.

Ones to watch: Powerhouse Finau Maka has been a prominent figure for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup during their spell of European domination. The loose forward's running and tackling ability is sure to strike fear into Mike Hercus and the Eagles. And it will be interesting to see how the Belmont Shore fly-half star adapts against a very different proposition to the English.

Head to Head: The back-row contest will be an interesting match-up in this early afternoon fixture. Tonga's Latu, Maka and T Pole are an exceptional trio who will cause a variety of problems for their counterparts and also the US service to Hercus and Emerick.

Recent Results:

2000: Tonga won 29-6 at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa
1999: United States won 30-10 at Boxer Stadium, Balboa

Prediction: A lack of recovery for the US may become a factor with Tonga hungry to impose themselves on the competition. And with the ecstasy of England preceding the hangover, a possible plummet to earth may be an eventuality. Tonga by less than 10 points.

The Teams:

United States: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Salesi Sika, 13 Paul Emerick, 12 Vahafolau Esikia, 11 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 10 Mike Hercus (c), 9 Chad Erskine, 8 Henry Bloomfield, 7 Todd Clever, 6 Louis Stanfill, 5 Mike Mangan, 4 Alec Parker, 3 Chris Osentowski, 2 Owen Lentz, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Blake Burdette, 17 Matekitonga Moeakiola, 18 Hayden Mexted, 19 Inaki Basauri, 20 Mike Petri, 21 Valenese Malifa, 22 Albert Tuipulotu.

Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Tevita Tu'ifua, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Epeli Taione, 11 Joseph Vaka, 10 Pierre Hola, 9 Soane Havea, 8 Finau Maka, 7 Nili Latu (c), 6 Hale T-Pole, 5 Paino Hehea, 4 Lisiate Fa'aoso, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Ephraim Taukafa, 17 Toma Toke, 18 Viliami Vaki, 19 Lotu Filipine, 20 Sione Tu'ipulotu, 21 Isileli Tupou, 22 Aisea Havili.

Date: Wednesday, 12 September
Venue: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Kick-off: 14.00 (13.00 GMT)
Conditions: Sunny, 28°C, with a strong Northerly breeze
Referee: Stuart Dickinson
Touch judges: Craig Joubert, Christophe Berdos
Television match official: Mark Lawrence
Assessor: Bob Francis

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