Counterattack

The All Blacks management were red-faced in revealing Chris Jack's rolled ankle and the hamstring strain Byron Kelleher suffered during a halftime warm-up, but those admissions pale against the Scots who, after their hapless effort against the French, had to explain how captain Bryan Redpath may miss their do-or-die match against Fiji because he needed stitches after stubbing his toe getting into bed.

* * *

The French team have been heartened by a "wish you were here" card from their crook mascot Diomede. The cockerel was reunited with the hens at his home farm after his comb turned black. "He's having more luck in that department than we are," grumbled one lonely Frenchman, who like all their squad is denied any access to partners until the semifinals.

* * *

England may be bitter over the scant applause for their recent rugby successes, but the All Blacks' cup form hasn't won many plaudits either. Despite whipping allcomers, the All Blacks provide only two players in BSkyB commentator and former English first-five Stuart Barnes' form XV. Doug Howlett and Richie McCaw cut lonely figures alongside his picks of Geordan Murphy, Brian O'Driscoll, Will Greenwood, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Jonny Wilkinson, Fabien Galthie, Pieter De Villiers, Steve Thompson, Jean-Jacques Crenca, Martin Johnson, Ben Kay, Richard Hill and Juan Smith.

* * *

Australians are having great sport over the English "one too many players" fiasco during their great escape against Samoa. Website Rugby Heaven's poll on the appropriate punishment had 41 per cent saying "dock their points" followed by 15 per cent wanting coach Clive Woodward locked up in a refugee detention centre. Injured Wallaby number 8 Toutai Kefu waded into the debate, saying England's offence "smacks of arrogance". The episode also revealed the English have their own legal adviser, Richard Smith. Does he share a room with their in-house referee Steve Lander or Sherylle Calder, their peripheral-vision specialist?

* * *

New Zealand is copping more accusations of preventing Samoa playing their best players. Waikato winger Sosene Anesi has declined an appeal to fill in for injured backs Ron Fanuatanu and Terry Fanolua because of his new contract with the NZRFU. Samoan coach John Boe said they are still trying to get a player from these shores, but "the hurdles are the same old hurdles". Rugby Union contracts have already ruled out players such as Bradley Mika and Loki Crichton.

Full World Cup coverage