Storm clouds are gathering around under-pressure coach Clive Woodward after England, incredibly, were seen to have an extra man on the field during their desperate 35-22 win over brave Samoa.
World Cup officials are believed to be about to announce an inquiry into the bizarre incident, witnessed by more than 50 000 fans at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome on Sunday..
Woodward, who has spent £2,2-million building a 17-strong team of experts to guide his side through the 2003 Rugby World Cup, failed to remove anyone from the field when he sent wing Dan Luger on late in a game that is being hailed as the best of the World Cup so far.
Although the presence of a 16th man for a few seconds did not do much to alter the result — England finally pulled away with well-taken tries from Iain Balshaw and Phil Vickery in the last 10 minutes — the Australian and New Zealand press are bound to stir up a storm about it.
Woodward has two assistant coaches, a professional referee (England’s Steve Lander), doctors, physios, masseurs, vision specialists, nutritionists and a video analyst on his staff to deal with every eventuality.
A press conference has been called at England’s plush new base, the golf-course-surrounded Radisson Resort on the Gold Coast on Monday.
There, we should hear more about the growing row over the extra man.
There are also rumours of problems for Jonny Wilkinson, who missed two penalties, a conversion and a drop goal in the near-disaster against Samoa. Wilko took a huge hit seconds before the final whistle, 10 minutes after his inspirational cross-kick set up Balshaw’s vital try.
We should also hear from centre Will Greenwood, who arrived in nearby Brisbane last night after attending his pregnant wife. Forward Martin Corry has flown home for the birth of his first child but is expected to be back before Sunday’s routine slaying of minnows Uruguay.
But all eyes will be on Woodward to night as he tries to explain away yet another blunder in a tournament that has yet to see England perform to their world number one ranking.