Rugby World Cup

The South Americans, mostly amateurs, led 21-12 at halftime on the back of converted tries from halfback Santiago Arata, number eight Manuel Diana and centre Juan Manuel Cat as well as a penalty from Felipe Berchesi.

First five Berchesi kicked two more penalties in the second half to keep the scoreboard ticking over as the Fijians fought to get back in the game and Los Teros held on to claim their third victory in 12 World Cup matches.

The late All Blacks great is a World Cup icon, the dominant figure from his two appearances in 1995 and 1999 where he scored what remains a record haul of 15 tries.

Lomu, who battled major kidney problems, passed away at the age of 40 soon after returning from the 2015 tournament in England where he had been heavily involved in promotional work.

The Flying Fijians threatened an almighty upset against Australia on Saturday, leading the two-time champions for large periods of the game in Sapporo before fading in the final stages of the 39-21 defeat.

Captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Leone Nakarawa and Semi Radradra are the only players asked to back up in the starting 15 against Uruguay and coach John McKee has challenged the new players in the team to put up their hands and play well.

Hodge felt the brunt of the Fijian runners on a number of occasions and was regularly rag-dolled by the athletic Fijians throughout the Pool D match.

The Wallabies winger managed to unintentionally get one of his own back late in the first half, concussing Yato with a tackle that many have deemed dangerous and worthy of a red card. Fiji subsequently referred the tackle to World Rugby, and Hodge faces a hearing on Wednesday which could potentially end his Rugby World Cup.

Just four days into the Rugby World Cup 2019 tournament, the organising committee was forced to change its food policy.

On Monday, it was announced fans would now be able to BYO snacks the size of a bento box, following shortages at various stadium stalls.

The change allowed fans to bring in a "reasonable amount of food" for personal consumption so they didn't go hungry, but the committee explained the strict no drinks policy remained in place.

The Six Nations champions delivered a strong statement of intent less than a week before tackling Pool D rivals Australia as they put Georgia to the sword during a dominant first-half display.

Wales had a bonus point wrapped up by half-time after tries from centre Jonathan Davies, flanker Justin Tipuric, wing Josh Adams and full-back Liam Williams, with fly-half Dan Biggar kicking three conversions and a penalty.

Cheika hit out at his Fiji counterparts and claimed they were insincere in referring Hodge’s tackle after Saturday’s game in Sapporo which has resulted in a citing and a judicial hearing in Tokyo on a day still to be determined.

The first-half tackle prevented a possible try for Fiji and left flanker Peceli Yato concussed.

Fiji players immediately asked for the television match official to review the tackle. The TMO concurred with the referee and his assistant that the tackle did not even warrant a penalty.

Tuilagi was awarded the ‘Master Card Player of the Day’ after the 35-3 win against the Tongans in the RWC opener on Sunday.

“It’s going to be a tough game for us. Now we have finished from Tonga. More of our focus is going to be on USA.”

The Samoan-born rugby player said the match against Tongans was tough.

“We know that coming to this game, Tonga was going to be a tough test for us. But we managed to get  five points. That’s a great start for our campaign.”

Cane went for an HIA at halftime in Yokohama, and passed it, but he did not return to the field with his teammates for the second half.

Match officials determined Cane had spent too much time off the field and so could not return, despite passing the concussion test.

According to World Rugby regulations, if a player is unable to return from an HIA after 10 minutes, or directly following the 15 minute halftime break, then he must be replaced.

In the local paper’s front page wrap of Saturday’s match here the Hokkaido Shimbun was pleased to report to its readers that everything had gone off smoothly at the Sapporo Dome, with the exception of a single subway train to the ground, which had run precisely three minutes late. The express that hit Billy Vunipola during Sunday’s game, on the other hand, arrived right on time. It was called Zane Kapeli and it caught him flush in the chest just as he was breaking into a sprint upfield off the back of a lineout.