RWC 2019

Hooper rues first-half failings

In what will surely be the key fixture in Pool D at the Rugby World Cup, Wales got the better of a strong-finishing Australia 29-25, having led 23-8 at the break.

Tries from Dane Haylett-Petty and Hooper himself set up a tense finish, but the Wallabies could not quite wrestle back control of the match.

Hooper was disappointed but keen to move on quickly, knowing Australia cannot afford to spend too long reflecting on a defeat that likely sends them into the same side of the draw as England and New Zealand.

Scotland v Samoa

Samoa began with a big bonus-point win over Russia in their opener, but they were later hit by three-match bans for centre Lee-Lo and hooker Matu'u.

Both players had been sent to the sin bin for dangerous tackles before seeing their punishments upgraded to red cards in subsequent hearings.

Coach Jackson said: "Both cases we thought were dealt with on-field. They obviously didn't go there intending to make contact anywhere above from where the ball is."

He added: "Do we accept the sanction? Yes, we do. Do we agree with it? No, we don't."

Target on Wallabies halves as Wales prepare for World Cup scrap

Though both have been out of favour at the selection table at times this year but they are set to play pivotal roles in Australia’s most important pool match.

Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar said his side was certainly wary of Foley, who has found some of his best games in Cardiff over his career, and the impact of Genia as his halves partner.

“His record speaks for itself. He is an excellent player. He has success against us in the past, he has always seemed to have played well in Cardiff in particular,” he said.

Rugby hosts Japan stun Ireland 19-12 in massive World Cup upset

The Brave Blossoms came from behind at Shizuoka Stadium with Kenki Fukuoka's second-half try and Yu Tamura's boot beating a side recently ranked number one in the world in a shock to match their victory over twice world champions South Africa at the 2015 World Cup.

While they stunned world rugby then, to win this time in front of an uproarious home crowd with so much focus on Asia's first World Cup was arguably more significant.

Vui will lead Samoa into battle against Russia

Chris Vui will be the match-day captain in place of Jack Lam, who is injured and unavailable for selection. Vui’s selection at blindside flanker also boosts Samoa’s options at the lineout.

Ten of the starting XV in Samoa's last game - a 34-15 loss against Australia - return to start against Russia. Logovii Mulipola, Motu Matuu, Dwayne Polataivao, Ah See Tuala, as well as captain Vui come in.

The side also features eight players who will make their Rugby World Cup debuts.

Rugby fans flock to famous dog statue in Tokyo

A constant crowd gathers around Tokyo's most famous dog, tourists lining up to take pictures and selfies.

Adoring fans are nothing new for Hachikō, except now he dons a Japanese rugby jersey, and it's clearly an added thrill for those who have travelled to Japan especially for the Rugby World Cup.

Rugby fans are drawn here, all with strong reckons on which team can lift the World Cup trophy at the end of the tournament.

"Our hearts are always with the ABs," Aucklander Scott Cordes said.

Wales "shocked" by betting allegations

Wales assistant coach Howley was sent home from the Rugby World Cup on Tuesday with former Wales five-eighth Stephen Jones flying out to replace him.

"We were shocked by it," Gatland told a press conference in Kitayushu.

"At the moment these are allegations. Rob is devastated by the allegations."

The 48-year-old former Wales captain has been part of Gatland's coaching team since 2008.

"It took a bit of time to sink in. It is now how we turn a difficult situation into a positive one," Gatland said.

Springboks unchanged for All Blacks

Coach Rassie Erasmus will stick with the same XV and eight replacements that saw off hosts Japan 41-7 in a warm-up game two weeks ago.

It represents the first time the Springboks have stuck with the same side since the 2015 World Cup semi-final, which New Zealand edged 20-18 at Twickenham, while number eight Duane Vermeulen will win his 50th Test cap.

The only alteration from the team that played out a 16-16 Rugby Championship draw against the All Blacks in Wellington in July is fit-again captain Siya Kolisi starting at openside flanker in place of Kwagga Smith.

Rugby World Cup 2019: Japan v Russia

The Brave Blossoms caused an almighty stir at the tournament four years ago by defeating giants South Africa 34-32 in one of the biggest shocks in the sport's history.

Agonisingly for the team, led by now England coach Eddie Jones, that effort in Brighton was not quite enough as they became the first team to be eliminated from the pool stage having won three matches.

It was Japan's best performance at a World Cup to date, but Joseph wants his side to dream big.

'Read deserves RWC win as captain'

Read will retire after the upcoming World Cup, where New Zealand are chasing a third straight title and fourth in total.

The 33-year-old featured in the 2011 and 2015 successes but only replaced Richie McCaw as the All Blacks captain in 2016, meaning he has not yet led the team at a finals.

Warburton was Wales skipper at consecutive World Cups and believes Read fits the role of a successful leader.

"You look at World Cup winners and - I won't say names - some people you come across, it doesn't suit them, no disrespect," Warburton told Omnisport.