SCRUM’S THE WORD
WORLD CUP DIARY
A SCREENING of Will Smith’s blockbuster movie The Pursuit of Happyness was one of the secrets behind Japan’s giant-killing victory over Ireland. Flanker Lappies Labuschagne got the squad together to watch the film, in which Smith’s character says: ‘You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want somethin’, go get it. Period.’
YESTERDAY’S Copa Libertadores Superclasico between Boca Juniors and River Plate was not shown in Argentina’s team room. The derby is one of football’s biggest rivalries and Pumas management did not want players to be distracted from their game against England. Centre Benjamin Urdapilleta (below) had a strong interest, having played as a teenager for River, who won 2-0.
DAYS after declaring his intent to break all records for social-media interaction at the World Cup, World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper has deactivated his Twitter account in the midst of a storm over refereeing criticism.
MARO ITOJE is enjoying the hustle and bustle of urban Japan, as England have gone from Sapporo to Kobe and on to Tokyo. But not all culinary options have been to his taste. ‘It’s a cool place,’ said the lock. ‘It’s a bit of a concrete jungle but I like it. I love cities. I don’t think I could live anywhere that’s not a city. In Kobe, we were looking for somewhere to eat and we walked into a restaurant that looked quite appetising. As we got in, the guy said: “Intestines, intestines”. I said, “Do you have anything else?” and he said: “No, just intestines”!’
ENGLAND’S press conference descended into chaos yesterday. First, attack coach Scott Wisemantel was asked if he could answer a question in French. Having worked for clubs in France he was happy to oblige, but it caused panic for the translator providing a running commentary for Japanese media. Her reaction prompted Wisemantel to switch back to English. Soon after, a live interview was twice interrupted by a disco ringtone on the phone of an Argentine broadcaster, which left Jamie George in fits of laughter.
SPRINGBOKS lock Eben Etzebeth could be forced to return home from the World Cup after the South African Human Rights Commission said it was prosecuting him over an incident of alleged physical and racial abuse in August. Court proceedings are due to start tomorrow, the day Etzebeth, who denies the charges, is due to play Italy in Shizuoka.