SPORTS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2015

History looms as WCup q-finalists fine-tune Good days : History looms large as the South Africa lead the countries’ head- springing a surprise, having done so at eight quarter-finalists gear up for the to-heads 27-2 with one draw, and the 1999 and 2007 World Cups. knockout phase of the , have been hit by a series of injuries to key French prop Jean-Baptiste Poux, who for rugby as with some teams desperate to replicate players in the build-up to the tournament appeared in the 2007 quarter-final, con- the heroics of upsets past and others out and during it. ceded that good fortune played its part. to see familiar patterns repeated. But the Welsh will take heart from their “We were kind of scared of conceding 50 underdogs Wales and South Africa go first on a triumph over adversity to make it out of a points but we made it, with a bit of luck, mouth-watering weekend of action, kick- very tough group, which also included and we gave 200 per cent,” he told ing off today afternoon at Twickenham Australia and England. Reuters. New Zealand coach Steve close gap with a match Springboks coach Heyneke Wales have made three changes to Hansen is leaving little to chance, recall- LONDON: Japan’s 34-32 Rugby World Cup upset of South Africa still Meyer expects to be an arm-wrestle. their team, centre , prop ing captain Richie McCaw to lead a squad beggars belief, confounding all the sport’s received wisdom. But the “We’re playing against a well-balanced and Dan Lydiate all of 23 with a combined 1,295 caps and man charged with boosting rugby’s development allows himself just side that always likes to mix things up returning to the side. including no fewer than four men who a smile. “I was not totally surprised by it actually,” Mark Egan told when it comes to physicality,” he told “The physicality and intensity of the have been named world player of the Reuters. “Japan are so professional and committed now that they reporters on Thursday, as teams put the matches so far will stand us in good stead year. “The thing the old guys bring you is have become really competitive against higher-ranked opponents.” It final touches to their preparations and for what is going to be a huge battle experience. You can’t buy that. When you may have been the biggest upset in Rugby history, but Japan’s victo- more lineups were announced. against the Springboks,” Wales coach are under the pump, you need people in ry was just one sign of a wider change that could give the sport far Meyer has made just a single change said. that group that can cope with it,” Hansen greater global reach. to his starting XV from the side that rout- Today’s other game is New Zealand told a news conference. For generations Rugby has been dominated by the 10 countries ed the United States 64-0, with in-form against France in Cardiff, with the formi- designated Tier One: those in the northern hemisphere’s Six Nations winger JP Pietersen returning from injury dable All Blacks favourites to progress but HALFBACK PAIRING Cup - England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and France - and those in to replace Lwazi Mvovo. Les Bleus aware that they are capable of For France, Morgan Parra was named at the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship - South Africa, scrumhalf to partner flyhalf Frederic Australia, New Zealand, and, since 2012, Argentina. Thirteen other Michalak, as coach Philippe Saint-Andre countries are ranked in Tier Two, including 10 which made it to the continued to tinker with his halfback pair- World Cup this year. As is almost always the case, not one made it out of ing. Powerhouse centre Mathieu the group stage. But for the first time, none of them looked out of place. Bastareaud was dropped from the starting The old expectation that matches between Tier One and Tier Two line-up and flanker Bernard Le Roux comes teams would be blow-outs, with score differentials sometimes top- in for Damien Chouly. ping 100 points, now looks out of date. The average margin of victory Ireland meet Argentina on Sunday, also in matches between Tier One and Tier Two sides over the past four in Cardiff, and, if recent form is any guide, tournaments has steadily fallen from 45 to 38 to 36 to just 31 points the Irish have little to fear, having beaten this year. “Throughout this tournament the so-called easy games their opponents the last five times they aren’t easy any more,” said All Blacks captain Richie McCaw. “The have met. whole standard has been lifted and I think everyone is excited to see But then there is history. Ireland have that.” Performances by the “lesser teams” were “incredible to watch,” known only heartbreak from their previous said Ireland captain Paul O’Connell. quarter-final appearances, playing five and The story of the pool phase was of course Japan, who not only losing five. The Irish players need no stunned the Springboks on a sunny September day in Brighton, but reminding that their country has tripped also beat Samoa and the United States. The three wins would have up at the same hurdle so many times put them in the quarter finals in any other World Cup since five-team before and what is at stake. pools were introduced in 2003. In seven previous tournaments Japan “It’s a big weekend for Irish rugby,” prop had managed just a solitary win - against fellow minnow Zimbabwe - Nathan White said. “If we get through this in 1991. They shipped a World Cup-record 145 points to New Zealand one it’s the furthest we’ve ever been so in 1995, and 83 against them as recently as 2011. Nor were Japan the there’s plenty of focus around, plenty of only Tier Two team to create lasting memories. Romania had looked drive in the lads.” set for another thumping when trailing Canada 15-0, only to produce Australia face Scotland at Twickenham a World Cup-best comeback to win 17-15 and provide priceless tomorrow in the final last-eight clash. The images of hulking, gnarled props with tears streaming down their build-up to that match has been overshad- faces. Georgia and Tonga had their own personal World Cup final in owed by bans that have ruled out Scotland their first game, with probable third place in their pool and therefore hooker Ross Ford and lock Jonny Gray who automatic 2019 qualification on the line. were handed three-week suspensions for a Georgia claimed a surprise victory, then found the tables turned dangerous tackle on Samoa’s Jack Lam. as they had to fight tooth and nail to scrape past Namibia. The African “We hold Ross and Jonny in very high team, thrashed 145-0 by Australia in 2003, lost by a solitary point but regard and as a result will be launching a claimed their first-ever bonus point, and, after the joy of ripping robust appeal to challenge their suspen- through New Zealand’s defence for an acclaimed try at the Olympic sions, which we feel are unduly harsh,” Stadium, departed with heads held high. World Rugby (WR) claims Scottish Rugby Chief Executive Mark credit for making the game more competitive. “We’re investing 10 Dodson said. The suspensions have been million pounds a year trying to close the gap,” Egan told Reuters. heavily criticised, and even Australia coach “Through that combination of direct investment, extra coaching staff, Michael Cheika expressed sympathy for more transport, medical resources, strength and conditioning pro- the banned pair. grammes and competition, I think we have improved the standard of Former Wales flyhalf Jonathan Davies the athletes coming through the system so they are much more described the inconsistency of the tourna- competitive and physically able to cope with a Tier One game when LONDON: South Africa’s player Tendai Mtawarira with the ball during ment’s disciplinary hearings as a “dis- they are at the World Cup.” —Reuters the captain’s run at . South Africa will play Wales grace”. —Reuters in a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal at the stadium today. —AP Jack Hobbs to bat away rivals at Ascot LONDON: Jack Hobbs, named in honour of one of England’s from Frankie Dettori. Among his dozen rivals are Aidan O’Brien’s classy filly greatest cricketers, is the horse to beat in today’s Champion While Gosden believes Jack Hobbs has the speed to prevail Found, seeking to bounce back after an unlucky ninth in the Stakes at Ascot as trainer John Gosden seeks to add further at Ascot, he expressed concern Thursday over his wide draw. Arc, and Vadamos. shine to his golden season. The £1.3 million ($2 million, 1.76 “It’s a disappointing draw. For those that know the mile and a The four-year-old’s trainer, French maestro Andre Fabre, million euros) ten furlong prize is one of the showpieces of quarter start at Ascot, the bend comes up very quickly and you suggested his charge bore all the hallmarks of a champion-in- Champions Day where in 2012 the mighty Frankel signed off are naturally forced wide,” he told The Racing Post. “One bless- waiting when landing a warm-up in Germany last month. his racing career in style. ing is that our pacemaker Maverick Wave is drawn next door to France’s perennial champion trainer also has a live interest in Jack Hobbs is the 5-4 ante-post favourite for today’s edition Jack Hobbs in 13. One thing’s for sure Jack won’t get boxed in! the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with Territories. He on the strength of his performances in claiming the Irish Derby I’ll leave the tactics to William Buick.” was runner-up to fast ground specialist Gleneagles in the and his eye-catching second to stablemate Golden Horn in the Earlier in the week Gosden had spoken enthusiastically English 2,000 Guineas with the latter’s trainer O’Brien keeping a Epsom Derby. about his colt’s prospects. “I feel he is happy over both 1m2f watchful eye on the weather as unsuitably soft going would He runs two weeks after Golden Horn landed Gosden’s first and 1m4f and he has a lot of tactical speed. It’s going to ride on lead him to pull out his dual classic winner in favour of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp under a masterful ride the slow side of good, but that won’t be a problem for him.” Breeders Cup Classic.