2015 Rugby World Cup

Craig Joubert treatment unfair - Cheika

The governing body issued a statement on Monday saying the South African had not made the "appropriate decision".

Cheika, whose side won Sunday's match 35-34, said: "No other referee has had this stuff put out there like that.

"I would have liked my mates to back me up a little more."

Former top referee Jonathan Kaplan, who has mentored Joubert during his career, questioned whether World Rugby should be "criticising one if its own assets".

Stuart Lancaster focused on Australia

But he said if England failed to get out of the group stages the "accountability lies with me".

England's 28-25 defeat by Wales on Saturday left his team third in Pool A.

They now face the prospect of becoming the first host nation not to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup if they are beaten by the Wallabies.

Warren Gatland delighted with Wales courage after decisive victory over Fiji

Having come into the game on the back of a five-day turnaround, coach Warren Gatland's side were given the fright of their lives by a Fiji side who threatened to damage Wales hopes of escaping the "pool of death".

Despite back-to-back defeats at the hands of England and Australia, the Pacific Islanders not only put in a Herculean effort, but deserved more from a game that was in the melting pot until the final throes.

Michalak the magic man sparkles for France again

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre was telling anyone who wanted to listen at Stadium MK on Thursday that people regarded his decision to recall the mercurial fly-half as "crazy".

Not any more. Michalak (pictured) marked a man-of-the-match performance by becoming the highest points scorer in French World Cup history, overtaking Thierry Lacroix's tally of 124 points..

 

England united by criticism - Martin Corry

Carling said England lacked leadership and the players were treated "like schoolboys", prompting scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth to hit back. 

England may struggle to reach the last eight if they fail to beat Australia.

"They sound really angry and that's the reaction you want," said Corry.

Discipline Critical’ for Flying Fijians

Matson said this was one area which let the team down in the first two games of the 2015 Rugby World Cup – against England and Australia.

“Discipline is critical at this level. You cannot get away with things at Rugby World Cup,” the former Fijian and New Zealand international said.

“Discipline has let us down against the big teams. They consequently lead six to nine points and we end up chasing the game,” Matson said.

He predicts the Fijians would provide a tough challenge against Wales in Cardiff on Friday.

Record-breaking start as RWC 2015 reaches pool phase halfway point

The fantastic tournament atmosphere and compelling rugby is capturing the hearts and minds of fans nation and worldwide, with official Fanzones full to capacity, #RWC2015 trending globally on all match days and TV viewing figures reaching record levels.

BIGGEST RWC EVER

Rugby World Cup 2015: Consider longer turnarounds, says Gatland

Wales face Fiji on Thursday having had only four days to recover from their bruising win against England.

Gatland will not use it as an excuse during this World Cup but believes it is an issue which needs to be addressed in the long term.

"It's something we all need to be aware of because it's a pretty brutal game at the moment," he said.

"It's important we consider and look after the welfare of our players as well.

"I'm not complaining about the short turnaround because we've known about that for a long time. We've had to prepare for that."

Japan's batteries recharged for Samoa showdown, says Luke Thompson

The Brave Blossoms face Samoa at Milton Keynes in a match that will make or break their quarter-final chances. After stunning South Africa in their opening game in Pool B, Japan played Scotland just four days later and faded after an hour, slipping to a 45-10 defeat.

Eddie Jones’ men, however, have recuperated over the past six days in the quiet of Warwick, where the team have been able to focus on preparing for the Samoa game.

When the thunder starts, you have to be ready for it, says Cheika

Michael Cheika apparently did not have much of a sidestep when he was a straightforward, bruising number eight in his playing days but Australia’s coach has developed a pretty nifty one behind the coach’s microphone.

With the hype before the Wallabies' match with England on Saturday set to reach stratospheric levels, Cheika demonstrated on Tuesday a light diplomatic touch which enabled him to dance round the verbal hand grenades being chucked his way at a news conference.