The World's Cup: British leader's rugby snub

British Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn turned down prime VIP seats for England's opening Rugby World Cup match. Photo / Getty Images

Steve Deane scours global media for an offbeat look at rugby's biggest show.

NOT ON

British Labour Party Leader, raving pinko and threat to the established world order Jeremy Corbyn was slammed by his Tory counterparts for turning down prime VIP seats for England's opening match against Fiji, Business Insider India reported.

"As a rugby nut who'd go anywhere to see England play, I cannot believe anybody, let alone the Leader of the Opposition, would not support our country," Conservative minister Mike Penning raged. His colleague Damian Collins chipped in: "It is a snub and people won't understand why he has turned it down."

Corbyn quietly explained on Facebook that he had a prior commitment - a weekly meeting with his constituents. What was he thinking?

UN RESOLUTE

Diplomats from around 10 countries gathered at UN headquarters to watch the opening game of the RWC, Japan's Kyodo News reported, in what will take some beating as the event's most tedious dispatch. Among those invited to an event hosted by the British mission were ambassadors from the United States, New Zealand and Japan. This column understands America and Japan proposed a resolution to object to any massacres (scorelines greater than 50-0), however following veto from New Zealand and Russia the diplomats resolved to sit idly by eating chips whilst England crushed Fiji on the embassy big screen.

ASIAN INVASION

Ceylon's Daily News has noted, somewhat reprovingly, that, while 60 per cent of world's population is Asian, there is just one Asian nation (Japan) among the 20 at RWC. Sri Lanka is in fact a rugby-mad nation with a proud history. DN paid tribute to Malik Samarawickrama, the driving force of the "undisputed kings of local rugby Kandy Sports Club". The well-known entrepreneur became the "godfather of many talented rugby players, finding them employment and a secured future".

TOP EFFORT

British author Keith Waterhouse once described Brighton as a town "that always looks like it is helping police with their inquiries". Telegraph rugby writer Paul Hayward had that little gem trousered away for just the right moment - a piece about how the seaside town had wholeheartedly embraced the RWC and been rewarded with Japan's brilliant upset of the Boks. "Brighton residents asked themselves: is it always this good? No, is the answer," wrote Hayward with refreshing honesty. Hayward also reported that coach Eddie Jones had found the going tough as his Brave Blossoms notched the dramatic victory. "I'm getting too old for this,' said Jones. "I'm 55. I should be in Barbados watching cricket."

SHAMELESS PLUG

Legendary former play-caller Keith Quinn is sharing his RWC thoughts with the world via his website KeithQuinnrugby.com. Quinny - who younger readers may best know as the face of their parent's funeral insurance providers - will be pitching up to the RWC from the quarterfinal stage as an ambassador for a travel company. "But before that I will be posting right here a Rugby World Cup blog every day or so. Tell your friends about keithquinnrugby.com." Sure.

"Look also for my 15th book Quinn's Whims - which will be out before Christmas and will contain yarns and stories with an emphasis on the Rugby World Cup."
Right, that's your lot.