Springboks coach Rudolf Straeuli last night played down fitness fears surrounding his controversial World Cup captain Corne Krige. Straeuli insisted Krige, who sits out tomorrow's Pool C opener against Uruguay, will be fit for the Subiaco Oval showdown with England next week.
Krige was at the centre of some violent South African tactics against England at Twickenham in November, and earlier this week, he described England captain Martin Johnson as world rugby's dirtiest captain. But flanker Krige's tournament entry has now been delayed by what Springbok officials termed "hamstring cramp".
Krige spent time with South Africa's physiotherapists, stretching his lower back after training on Monday, and has handed captaincy duties to Joost van der Westhuizen. Blue Bulls back-row forward Danie Rossouw benefits from the Krige situation by packing down for his first cap.
Security precautions
England are one of three nations who have been given greater security protection during the World Cup. Though no specific threats have been made against any of the 20 competing countries, special precautions have been taken by tournament organisers to ensure the safety of England, hosts Australia and the US in the light of on-going coalition action in Iraq.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill confirmed "no stone had been left unturned" in the bid to ensure the six-week event goes off without a hitch.
"The world is not the same place it was even when the Olympics were on here three years ago," he admitted. "The tournament has officially been rated as low risk but preparations have been done on a medium-risk basis because it is easier to downscale than go the other way. We have taken the best possible advice from the Federal Government and England, Australia and the United States have been given some additional protection."
Fiji target chickens
Fiji have put the French team mascot on the menu to demonstrate their hunger for success in their Pool B World Cup match in Brisbane tomorrow.
The French players have adopted an Australian cockerel named Diomede as the unofficial 31st member of their squad, their mascot crowing from the sidelines as the squad trained for their first match.
But Fiji spokesman Charlie Charters yesterday said rugby-mad fans at home had come up with a new way to demonstrate their support for the South Pacific islanders by targeting the traditional symbol of French rugby. He said Fiji Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes had told his 7,000-strong force to eat chicken for dinner on the eve of their team's Pool B match against France.
Fiji have never beaten France in six matches.
Harris to stay in union
Iestyn Harris has dismissed speculation he is poised to quit Wales for a return to rugby league after the World Cup. The former Leeds Rhinos captain has revealed he rejected an offer from a league club last month and insists he will see out the remaining 18 months of his contract with Cardiff and the Welsh Rugby Union.
"I've got nothing to hide so I can reveal that I was contacted by a league club, who put an offer on the table," he told the BBC Sport website from Wales' World Cup base in Australia. "It was a reasonable offer that I had to consider for the sake of my family but, after a meeting with the Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff Blues, I'm definitely staying in union.
"As far as I'm concerned, I will remain a union player for the remaining 18 months of my contract, and maybe beyond."
Harris made a big-money switch from Leeds in August 2001 and has made steady progress in the 15-man game. He will start Wales' opening World Cup clash with Canada in Melbourne on Sunday.
Keep it clean
England coach Clive Woodward (below) yesterday gave his total support to widespread drug testing that will take place throughout the World Cup.
While the Rio Ferdinand affair has completely overshadowed England's build-up for their final Euro 2004 soccer qualifier against Turkey tomorrow, Woodward does not anticipate anything similar affecting his squad's World Cup campaign.
"It's a physical contact game, and obviously the opportunity is there to cheat in terms of performance-enhancing drugs," he said.
"There is not a problem. They way to keep control of these problems is to have this drug testing. As soon as we arrived here, 10 players were tested immediately.
"When the tournament goes ahead, there will be a lot of testing, which is fantastic and as it should be. You want to be part of a clean sport, which I think rugby union fundamentally is."
All 48 World Cup matches will receive doping control, with four players per game - two from each team.
