'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.
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.
Kyle Sinkler off in the 3rd minute for a #HIA following friendly fire from the elbow of Maro Itoje from @EnglandRugby. #RWCFinal #RWC2019 #ENGvRSA pic.twitter.com/KRCegUku45
— The Rugby Union Physio (@RugbyWCPhysio) November 2, 2019
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. Obviously I know how tough the family take it too. Hoping all is as good as can be #RWCFinal
— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) November 2, 2019
“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.
That is heartbreaking for Kyle Sinckler. Two minutes into a final. Should be in team of the tournament lists and he deserves to play the whole final. #ENGvRSA
— Louis Doré (@LouisAlexDore) November 2, 2019
Kyle Sinckler knocked clean out after accidental collision with Maro Itoje.
Sickening collision
His final is over. Heartbreaking— Jack de Menezes (@JackdeMenezes) November 2, 2019
That looks really nasty for Sinckler, arms were above him in a 'fencing' style after he went to ground.
That looks horrible.— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) November 2, 2019
Horrible to see Sinckler go down like that. Have to feel for him on the biggest day in the rugby calendar. Hopefully he will be okay. #RWCFinal
— Aine (@Munsterannie) November 2, 2019
Have to feel gutted for Kyle Sinckler, just the third minute of the World Cup final. Nightmare stuff, so cruel.
Big 77-minute shift for Dan Cole now. #RWCFinal— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) November 2, 2019
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
