"Uncharacteristically quiet" - 5 players who flopped in the final round of World Cup pool fixtures
Rugby NewsSunday, 08 October 2023 at 23:18
We take a look at five players who failed to perform in the final round of the 2023 Rugby World Cup group stage.
#1. Jonny May (England)
Telegraph 4/10: "May brought energy as ever but there was also the customary chaos. Out of position for Samoa’s second try, leaving Steward to scramble in vain."
Rugby Pass 4/10: "It was his break that scattered the Samoan defence on 18 minutes in the lead-up to the infringement that gave Farrell his points record, but that was about it for him on the ball and he will instead be remembered for ineffectively clinging onto a leg of the tr-scoring Ah-Wong minutes later. England need a hurry up in this position, with May not looking the part."
RUCK 4/10: "We’re uncertain why he continues to be selected over the lightning-fast Henry Arundell, Seemed to spend the whole afternoon running sideways"
#2. Michele Lamaro (Italy)
Planet Rugby 4/10: "The skipper left the field just after half-time. He was uncharacteristically quiet and relatively uninfluential with just a handful of tackles and carries."
#3. Levani Botia (Fiji)
Planet Rugby 4/10: "The brilliant back-rower scored a crucial try right after Portugal’s, but it was a hit-and-miss game from Botia. He was effective at the breakdown on several occasions but was also penalised on three occasions. He also spent 10 minutes in the sin bin, with Portugal capitalising almost immediately."
Rugby Pass 4/10: "Not one of the flanker’s best games. Did of course score a try, but had an ill-disciplined match, which of course included his yellow card."
#4. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
The Telegraph wrote: "A poor night for the winger. Lost ball in contact early on. Lost his cool in a second half scuffle."
Rugby Pass wrote: "Too often his impact is mitigated in big games, and again tonight. Cut down and turned over with his first carry, then nearly held up with the second. Scotland found him with the clock in the red, then to sum up the evening, turned the ball over to mercifully put Scotland out their misery."
The Offside Line 4/10: "Forfeited possession cheaply twice in early phase of ascendancy, then totally marginalised by the Irish defence, apart from a strong run in the final minute of the game. Got himself overly involved in the needless second half scuffle."
#5. Owen Farrell
Telegraph 4/10: "England’s captain led admirably in defence, became his country’s all-time leading point-scorer - ending Jonny Wilkinson’s 22-year reign - but he was rusty. The shot-clock gaffe was a howler."
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