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'Horrible to see': Rugby World Cup final rocked by 'sickening' moment

Rugby fans have rallied behind England star Kyle Sinckler, after the influential prop had to be helped from the field after a nasty collision in the opening minutes of the World Cup Final.

Sinckler copped some unfortunate friendly fire from Maro Itoje, as well as some inadvertent contact from the hip of South Africa’s Makazole Mapimpi.

The England star collapsed almost immediately after the collision, remaining on the ground for several minutes before eventually getting to his feet and being helped off the ground.

England's prop Kyle Sinckler receives medical attention during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup final match. (Photo by Odd Andersen / AFP) (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
England's prop Kyle Sinckler receives medical attention during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup final match. (Photo by Odd Andersen / AFP) (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Dan Cole replaced Sinckler at the three-minute mark.

Given a rousing ovation form the crowd as we left the field, Sinckler also found plenty of sympathy online, notably from former Wallabies star Matt Giteau.

“As someone who worked hard to get to a World Cup final & get knocked out early in the game, it’s such a tough thing to take,” Giteau wrote on Twitter.

“Obviously I know how tough the family take it too.

“Hoping all is as good as can be.”

Plenty of other fans expressed their support for Sinckler online, particularly considering the English prop’s stellar play throughout the tournament.

Outgoing All Blacks coach endorses successor

Steve Hansen has endorsed Ian Foster to replace him as head coach of the All Blacks.

Hansen's tenure finished with a 40-17 win over Wales in the third-place playoff at the Rugby World Cup on Friday, six days after semifinal loss to England ended New Zealand's bid for a third consecutive title.

Foster is a long-serving assistant coach and is among the candidates to succeed Hansen, who was an assistant to Graham Henry at the 2007 and '11 World Cups before taking over and guiding the All Blacks on a successful title defence in 2015.

"I guess with hindsight, because (Foster) has been there for the last eight years and done a fantastic job and understands what happens, he's got a good head-start over everybody else on what's needed," Hansen told a news conference Saturday.

"He's known for a long time that I'll be leaving and he's put together a very strong team. And if that team comes together they'll have a lot of ingredients that are needed."

Hansen, who had a stint as head coach of Wales before returning to New Zealand to join the All Blacks coaching staff, has previously touted Foster as the best option to succeed him. Foster has been an assistant coach since 2012.

WITH AAP