Friday 43 Sports Friday, September 20, 2019 Treble or nothing at World Cup as the All Blacks face major test : Treble-chasing ’s su- term grip on rugby’s world number-one rank- premacy looks set to face a serious test from ing. , on the rise under coach multiple challengers as the clock ticks down to , will hope to strike an early an eagerly awaited in Japan. blow while England, Ireland and Six Nations The hosts will kick off the tournament on Friday champions Wales also look capable of winning as favorites against minnows Russia — a mark the . of their progress after years spent as the World Cup’s whipping boys. ‘Spectacular hosts’ But the serious business starts tomorrow, England have assembled a formidable array with the All Blacks in a blockbuster clash with of ball-carriers under the canny Jones, the ex- South Africa that could be a precursor of the Japan coach who led the Brave Blossoms to final on November 2. France play Argentina, their stunning win over South Africa in 2015. top-ranked Ireland face Scotland and Eddie The 2003 champions slumped to an embar- Jones’s England are against on a bumper rassing pool-stage exit in 2015 but they will be opening weekend for the first Rugby World expecting to top Pool C where they are brack- Cup held in Asia. eted with France, Argentina, USA and Tonga. Organizers hope to ignite rugby passions in However, Wales’s hopes were dealt a blow Japan and the region at large, saying the World when long-standing attack coach Cup is on course to sell out and that Friday’s was sent home over a suspected breach of opener will set a tournament record for view- rules against betting, badly disrupting their ing figures in a single country. Japan’s Brave preparations. Blossoms have set themselves the goal of In a tournament rich in sub-plots, Gatland is reaching the knock-out phase for the first time, one of a number of coaches stepping down aiming to climb out of a tight Pool A also in- after the World Cup, along with New Zealand’s cluding Ireland, Scotland and . “The , Ireland’s Joe Schmidt and players are keen to get out there,” said Japan’s Jacques Brunel of France. The French have en- : In this file photograph taken on October 23, 2011, New Zealand All Blacks including assistant coach Tony Brown. “We have an ex- dured a lean period but they have a fine record captain Richie McCaw (C) perform a victory behind the Webb Ellis Cup after they won the perienced group and those guys have got the at the World Cup, reaching 1987, 1999 and 2011 final match against France at Stadium. — AFP team under control — they understand what finals, and there are positive signs since Fabien they have to do.” Galthie bolstered Brunel’s backroom staff. New Zealand ended a 24-year drought Australia also shape up as potential dark — where baseball, football and sumo enjoy far to visit the host cities or turn on TV or social when they just about won their second World horses after they shook off a turbulent period greater popularity — and elsewhere in Asia. media to see that this tournament is going to be Cup on home soil in 2011, and dominated in — marked by poor results and the controversial Despite limited knowledge of the game, very, very big and popular,” said 2015 as coach Steve Hansen crafted a remark- sacking of fullback Israel Folau for homophobia great enthusiasm has already been on show CEO Brett Gosper. “Towns and cities are em- able run of success. But questions have been — to hand New Zealand a record defeat in with 15,000 fans packing out a Wales training bracing the teams with huge passion. Japan is raised over the mighty All Blacks after a rocky . Organisers hope the six-week, 48-game session in Kitakyushu and Japanese children already proving to be a spectacular host — it’s patch of form which saw them lose their long- tournament will spark rugby interest in Japan treating the All Blacks to a haka. “You only need an eye-opener.” — AFP

French club rugby, coach John McKee has picked Koroibete accepts Radradra on the wing — where he won a cap as an Australia international in 2016. Australia’s England’s Curry favors Australia’s appears set to have the tricky task of family will be split marking Radradra, who played rugby league for Syd- ney’s . “We will be sending him his ‘Pooper’ at Rugby World Cup when they face Fiji highlights from the Eels days and letting him know that SAPPORO: England back-row Tom Wallabies were beaten by New he has his hands full,” said Australia replacement back Curry will have the chance to make a Zealand. And with Pocock, in what is Matt To’omua. fresh study of Australia’s celebrated set to be his last international tour- SAPPORO: Wallaby wing knows Fiji have long been renowned for a running rugby ‘Pooper’ duo when the teams launch nament before retirement, now re- there will be divided loyalties among his family and game and their team also includes three members of their respective World Cup campaigns covered from a calf problem, the friends when he plays for Australia against his native the side that won Sevens gold at the Rio Olympics in this weekend. Although they are not in dynamic duo were both included in Fiji in the teams’ World Cup opener in Sapporo on , and . the same pool, both Australia and Eng- Australia’s starting team to face Fiji. Saturday. Koroibete played alongside Fiji flyer Semi “Obviously they’re very talented and we are lucky land are in Sapporo where the Walla- Curry, asked about his earliest World Radradra in the Pacific island nation’s team at the 2013 enough to have a few Fijians in our team as well, to bies face Fiji on Saturday before Cup memory, told reporters in Sap- Rugby League World Cup. combat that (, Koroibete and Isi Nais- England begin their campaign a day poro on Thursday: “The 2003 World But after changing codes three years ago, Koroi- arani),” To’omua said. “But anyone who watches rugby, later against Tonga. Cup is obviously massive in English bete made his Australia debut in 2017 and has since whether it be in Europe or in the Southern Hemi- While England winning the World rugby history but for me the classic won 24 caps for the Wallabies. “I am obviously looking sphere, knows that the Fijians individually have bril- Cup in 2003 is, unsurprisingly, the 21- story is my dad celebrating when we forward to it,” Koroibete told reporters at Australia’s liant feet, very strong, great offloads. year-old Curry’s earliest memory of won and he hit his head on a light. hotel in Sapporo on Thursday after coach Michael “These guys are powerful men but can also step the tournament, the Sale flanker has a “Then, a bit more recently, 2015 is Cheika named his team to play Fiji. “Australia gave me you as well, so they’re a dual or triple threat there. more vivid recollection of how Aus- probably the first time I was really look- an opportunity to pursue my dream and they have “We kind of have to hunt in packs I guess... Any time tralia’s and Michael ing into rugby in terms of the analysis given me a lot. It will be a bit weird playing against Fiji you get them one-on-one you might be struggling a Hooper — known collectively as and specific positions, how people but I will give everything,” he added. “It will be hard little bit, so we have to make sure guys are working ‘Pooper’ — starred at the 2015 edi- played with their attributes. “Just look- for my family back home to (pick) which team to cheer together in packs of threes.” Meanwhile, Cheika urged tion. The pair, renowned for ‘jackling’ ing at the ‘Pooper’ relationship, how a for, but there will be some cheering for me on the his side not to get caught up with the hype surround- and tackling at the breakdown, where back-row works together and the dif- weekend. “My family they cheer for Australia and ob- ing Radradra. “You put too much of an eye on one, and their ability to turn over and slow ferent attributes that they bring to a viously my friends will cheer for Fiji and after that will you’ll miss the others,” he said. down opposition ball makes them team and how effective they can be, not cheer for Australia.” “Team play is what it is all about. Stay connected, hugely influential figures, were instru- just on the team but the tournament as keep the ball when you can and when they have it, stay mental in Australia’s run to the Twick- a whole. “That’s probably my biggest ‘Hunt in packs’ connected and defend well together and things will enham final four years go, where the standout memory.” — AFP Despite being mainly deployed as a centre in work out,” Cheika added. — AFP