The World is Oval

Other rugby news

Players let rip

Don't ever accuse the Irish rugby team of ignoring the elephant in the corner of the sittingroom. Ever since the rumour machine started about Geordan Murphy last seen hitch-hiking to Bordeaux airport after been left off the Irish team to face France, the players have let rip.

Speaking to Setanta's Daire O'Brien, vice captain, Paul O'Connell observed yesterday: "The lads are going around asking Geordan Murphy 'what are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be gone home.'" Gentle souls aren't they.

Canterbury tales

Canterbury, who make the rugby jersey that Ireland are playing in throughout this World Cup, says that it has powers that other rugby tops don't. It claims to "improve endurance through an ionised liquid finish" embedded in the fibres. Of course it does.

A spokesman said that it's energy boosting properties are "not taken in the body, injected or drunk". Er, that doesn't matter. Perhaps the IOC should have a look.

That's my boy

In the long tradition of the Springboks, only seven sons have followed their fathers into the famous green and gold jersey. Three of them are currently in Jake White's squad. Wikus van Heerden follows his father, the unfortunately named Moaner.

Ruan Pienaar comes behind his father Gysie and Schalk Burger, while currently off the menu because of suspension, also takes up after dad, Schalk. Nine out of ten for South Africa there.

Quote of the day

"The truth is that rugby is a thugs game played chiefly by thugs held under control only by a thick veneer of Victorian middle class hypocrisy." - Peter Berlin of the International Herald Tribune.

Wait for it

Irish referee Alain Roland came in for some lavish praise in the Herald Tribune from monsieur Berlin with regard to his sending off of Namibian player Jacques Nieuwenhuis. "After the first incident Roland, a chatty referee, had a word with Nieuwenhuis," said the piece. "After the second he talked with the player and his captain, asking them to make sure it was not going to happen again. When it did Rolland said almost nothing. He simply showed Nieuwenhuis the red card. It was a gesture that communicated silent but well managed fury at this disregard for his authority." So far so good. It goes on.

"Rolland may be Irish but like many of the better rugby referees, he affects the insouciance in command of the British Officer class."

Now that might have hurt a bit.

Pichot returns

Scrumhalf Agustin Pichot returns from injury to lead Argentina in their World Cup Pool D match against Namibia in Marseille tomorrow (Kick-off: 8pm).

Felipe Contepomi, who played at centre in the victories over hosts France and Georgia, starts in his Leinster club position of out in the absence of the injured Juan Martin Hernandez.

ARGENTINA (v Namibia): I Corleto; H Senillosa, G Tiesi, M Contepomi, H Agulla; F Contepomi, A Pichot (capt); R Roncero, A Basualdo, O Hasan, I Fernandez Lobbe, P Albacete, L Ostiglia, J Fernandez Lobbe, J M Leguizamon. Replacements: M Ledesma, M Scelzo, R Alvarez, G Longo, N Fernandez Miranda, F Todeschini, F Serra.

TONGA (v South Africa): V Lilo; T Tu'ifua, S Hufanga, E Taione, J Vaka; P Hola, S Tu'ipulotu; S Tonga'uiha, A Lutui, K Pulu, P Hehea, E Kauhenga, V Vaki, N Latu (capt), F Maka. Replacements: E Taukafa, T Filise, I Afeaki, L Filipine, S Havea, I Tupou, A Havili.

SAMOA (v England): L Crichton; D Lemi, S Mapusua, B Lima, A Tuilagi; E Fuimaono-Sapolu, J Polu; K Lealamanua, M Schwalger, C Johnston, J Tekori, K Thompson, D Leo, S Sititi (capt), H Tuilagi. Replacements: T Fuga, F Palaamo, J Purdie, A Vaeluaga, S So'oialo, J Meafou, L Lui.