Rugby World Cup

The 'Ikale Tahi were pipped 23-21 in Kumamoto last night, having trailed 17-0 just before half-time.

Tonga also gave Argentina a 28-point headstart last week and coach Toutai Kefu was at a loss to explain their sluggish beginnings.

"I don't know, it's a good question. The coaches talked about it straight away post-game - maybe we warm up for too long (laughing), I don't know. It's something we need to look at. I think it's probably just the mental thing because, as you can see, we finish a game really well so definitely an issue for us," Toutai Kefu said.

The 'Ikale Tahi stunned Les Bleus in the pool stages of the 2011 Rugby World Cup although it wasn't enough to advance to the knockout rounds.

The Kingdom have actually won two of their five career meetings with France - the other was in Nuku'alofa in 1999 - but the teams have not played since 2013.

Coach Toutai Kefu has made two changes to the team that started last week's 28-12 defeat by Argentina, with Ma'afu Fia replacing Ben Tameifuna at tight-head prop and Cooper Vuna restored to the run-on side on the right wing, in place of Viliami Lolohea.

A photo has gone viral on Twitter of Manu Tuilagi in Japan alongside his brothers, Henry, Freddie, Alesana and Vavae, and people cannot believe the size of them.

The 18 stone Manu is easily one of the most fearsome and powerful players on the planet currently, but he is dwarfed by his four brothers in this picture, all of whom were also former players.

All five, as well as Anitelea (Andy) have had stints with Leicester Tigers over the years, as they built a rugby dynasty at Welford Road.

Richard Kahui and Andy Ellis, both members of New Zealand’s 2011 World Cup winning squad, believe Michael Cheika has created a negative vibe in their camp which will permeate down to the players.

“I see Cheik and I feel for him because he’s obviously a man under pressure. It’s not just this World Cup, it’s been building the last 2-3 years,” Kahui told The Breakdown television show.

“(But) the way that he’s going about talking about referees and things, I just wonder how much that influences the players.

Fiji scored six of their seven tries after half-time to secure a vital bonus point win, with man of the match Semi Radradra scoring twice and setting up three other tries.

Coach John McKee said the whole squad was determined to make amends after last week's defeat against Uruguay.

"Our boys were bitterly disappointed and they really wanted to make a statement today," McKee said.

Just four players have been retained from the starting line-up that suffered a shock 30-27 defeat by Uruguay last week, with prop Manasa Saulo joined by captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Leone Nakarawa and Semi Radradra, who have started all three games.

"This match against Georgia was always going to be a key match in this pool and nothing has changed," said head coach John McKee.

"There is plenty at stake in this game as a top three finish in our pool means automatic qualification for Rugby World Cup 2023."

The move comes after Savea discovered that the vision had deteriorated in his left eye and he realised he had to protect his eyesight.

"A couple of years ago I realised I had bad vision in my left eye. Everything's kind of blurry," Savea said. 

"I told All Blacks doctor Tony Page that it was getting worse and now we're doing something about it. Doc notified me that World Rugby had some goggles that were approved and everyone has been really supportive. In terms of vision and seeing, it's pretty sweet, and it's now just a matter of getting used to them."

French referee Romain Poite and the television match official punished Kerevi after a first-half collision with Wales replacement Rhys Patchell, who appeared to catch Kerevi high.

A lengthy television match official review followed and it was decided that Kerevi had made contact with Patchell’s throat with his elbow, although it seemed unintentional.

Cheika could not mask his frustration at events after a game that was stopped several times to check the legality of tackles.

The 'Ikale Tahi are all but out of playoff contention after a 28-12 defeat by the Pumas in Higashiosaka left then winless and without a point after two games.

Argentine hooker Julian Montoya bagged a hat-trick inside 25 minutes as the South Americans raced out to a 28-0 lead.

The 'Ikale Tahi were given a lifeline just before the half-hour mark when fullback Telusa Veainu weaved past two defenders to score their first try of the tournament.

Among the legions of supporters to descend on Japan are a host of proud parents, partners, siblings and cousins following the fortunes of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

Saki Waikere made the trip from Suva to Sapporo with some friends to watch his cousin Leone Nakarawa play in Fiji's World Cup opener against Australia.

"We're here to support him and definitely we're coming for a win so we're looking forward to that and I know it's going to be a good game," he said.

"Even though (against) Australia we are playing as underdogs today so definitely we will catch up to them."