Sports

A guide to the 2019 World Cup Final

Published

5 years ago

October 31, 2019

This year’s Rugby World Cup hasn’t been short of drama, but at last, we reach the climax as England take on South Africa for the Web Ellis Cup. Ahead of the match, England is the favourite in Rugby World Cup winner odds. Eddie Jones’ men have had a successful campaign, but have one final hurdle. Here’s all you need to know ahead of what will be a thrilling final.

The road to Yokohama

England finished top of Pool C, despite Typhoon Hagibis cancelling their final group game against France. Jones’ side won their other three games against Tonga, the USA, and Argentina, and gained two points in their cancelled game, which counted as a draw.

In the quarter-finals, the Red Roses took on Australia, who finished runners-up in Pool D. It proved to be a demolition, with England victorious 40-16, and it was enough for the Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika to resign from his post. New Zealand was the opponent in the semis, and again, it was a comfortable win. The All-Blacks were looking to retain their title for a third successive World Cup but were completely overwhelmed from the opening minute.

South Africa were runners-up to the All-Blacks in Pool B, having lost their opening clash against the holders. But they went on to win their final three games against Namibia, Italy, and Canada, conceding as few as 13 points. Rassie Erasmus’ side scored the most points (185) in the Pool stages.

The Springboks took on the hosts in the quarter-finals, ending the Brave Blossoms party with a dominant victory. The Boks had to withstand some heavy pressure and it was a low-scoring first half, with South Africa winning 5-3. Unable to add to their tally in the second half, Faf de Klerk et al crushed the Blossoms’ dreams. Their semi-final against Wales was a lot closer, with the Boks holding a slender lead of 9-6 at half time – but they continued to hold on and triumph 19-16.

Team previews

England will remain unchanged for the final, with Eddie Jones adamant his side will produce their finest performance when it matters. Captain Owen Farrell, leading try-scorer Jonny May and Kyle Sinckler have all overcome their knocks from the semi-final.

Ahead of the clash, Jones said: “That was always our aim, to be here on 2 November in the Yokohama Stadium. So, we’ve achieved one goal, but we know what’s at stake in the final, and we’re well prepared.

“We have to make adjustments, but we’re ready for the brutality of the game. Our players have had the will to prepare. They’ve pushed themselves through some tough physical tasks.”

Meanwhile, Erasmus makes one change to the Boks line-up, with Cheslin Kolbe returning to the squad, replacing Sbu Nkosi, who drops out of the 23. SiyaKolisi will lead the side out for the 20th time, as he earns his 50th cap. On his decision to drop Nkosi, Erasmus said: “We have been developing some momentum through the tournament, which has come from consistency and although we know there are things we can do better this is a fit, well-practised set of combinations.”

They’ve met before

The Springboks and Red Roses contested the 2007 World Cup Final held in Paris. It was back-to-back finals for England, who had won the 2003 World Cup in Australia. But this time it wasn’t to be and South Africa won their second Webb Ellis Cup.

It was a low-scoring final, with no tries scored, although both sides had an opportunity each. Instead, South Africa scored five penalties, with England’s Jonny Wilkinson scoring two. Although England held long spells of possession, they were unable to break South Africa down.

Jones was on the Boks coaching team in 2007 and was accredited with masterminding their success in France. There’s no doubt he will be aiming for the trophy again as his England side look to avenge South Africa in Yokohama.

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Looking back at their previous meetings, South Africa has a decent record over England. They have won 25 of their 42 encounters, most recently winning the 2018 test, held in South Africa. But England was victorious in last year’s autumn international – and as we’ve seen at the World Cup, anything can happen.

City Crime

‘NFF Conducted Federation Cup Draw Fairly’

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.

Sports

Act Sports Signs New Teqball Specialist Contract In Nigeria

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.

Sports

Nigeria Name Handball Squads For Zonal Champs

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.