Blue Bulls fullback Zane Kirchner has arrived in Wellington as tensions between New Zealand and the IRB mounted, and Samoa’s Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu was banned from rugby for a twitter comment accusing a referee of racism.
Kirchner was called up ahead of Sunday’s World Cup quarterfinal match against Australia as a replacement for Frans Steyn, who picked-up a tournament ending shoulder injury in South Africa’s 13-5 victory against Samoa.
“After a long trip, finally being here, I’m a bit tired at the moment, but looking at the boots that I need to fill from Frans, they are some big boots,” said Kirchner.
Kirchner, who has been utilised at centre for his provincial outfit in the Currie Cup this year, said that he was looking forward to playing a part in the tournament and that he would do his best if he was selected.
He said he was impressed with how the Springbok team had played in the pool stages.
“I think our team did very well, as you saw in the game against Samoa, it was a very tough one, but I think it has prepared us well going forward.”
Kirchner confirmed that the defending champions were still carrying the hopes of a nation.
“The people in South Africa are fully behind the guys and they are just looking forward to the best result on the 23rd,” he said.
Money matters
Meanwhile, the International Rugby Board (IRB) has responded to a possible New Zealand withdrawal from the next World Cup by saying “everyone is replaceable”.
IRB chief executive Mike Miller reignited a row that kicked-off last week when New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) counterpart Steve Tew said pulling the top-ranked All Blacks from the next World Cup could not be ruled out.
Tew said his organisation lost money every time the quadrennial tournament was staged, adding competing at the current World Cup in New Zealand was costing the NZRU more than NZ$13-million ($10.3-million), casting a shadow over their participation at the 2015 edition in England.
Miller in an interview with New Zealand’s Radio Sport on Tuesday, when asked if the World Cup needed the All Blacks, arguably rugby union’s most famous team, replied: “Everyone is replaceable.”
It was a statement that stunned members of the New Zealand team preparing to play their quarter-final match against Argentina in Auckland on Sunday.
“You can’t have a World Cup without the All Blacks, without any of the top nations. They’ve all got to be there just to make it a legit World Cup,” wing Richard Kahui told reporters.
Total ban for Sapolu
Sapolu, already in hot water for a Twitter message where he had likened Samoa’s treatment at the World Cup to the Holocaust, was provisionally suspended from all rugby for a post attacking referee Nigel Owens as a “racist, biased prick” on the social networking site following last week’s 13-5 defeat by South Africa that ended the team’s quarter-final hopes.
Sapolu, who plays for English club Gloucester, didn’t attend a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday and a statement issued on behalf of judicial officer Jeff Blackett said the player would be “provisionally suspended from all participation in the game of Rugby Union”, with the matter to be reviewed at a future hearing.
Samoa had claimed they were being unfairly treated after wing Alesana Tuilagi was fined for wearing an illegal gumshield bearing a sponsor’s name.
But brother Manu, who plays for England having qualified for his adopted country on residency grounds, was fined the same NZ$10 000 ($7 500) Tuesday for the same offence.
France coach Marc Lievremont continued to play Morgan Parra out of position at fly-half after naming the Clermont scrum-half as his No 10 for Saturday’s last eight clash, where Les Bleus will try to avoid being knocked out of the World Cup by England for the third time in a row after semi-final defeats in 2003 and 2007.
Parra again won out over specialist fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc, with Lievremont, who will be replaced as France coach after the World Cup by fellow former international Philippe Saint-Andre, saying: “Despite the great qualities of Francois in that position, I love the possibility of playing Morgan there.”
Both South Africa lock Bakkies Botha and Australia’s Rocky Elsom predicted a physical battle when the Tri-Nations rivals clash in Wellington on Sunday, with Elsom saying the breakdown would be vital.
“Any time you get dominance at the breakdown you’re going to provide front-foot ball for attack and that’s an enormous part of the game.” — Sapa-AFP