Sports

A guide to the 2019 World Cup Final

Published

4 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.

Sports

Expert Wants Parents To Enroll Children In Vector Programme

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2024

The Tide

In a bid to have more young talented Nigerians to play professional football abroad, Johnny Ogbah, a sports lawyer and football intermediary, has called on parents to enroll their children in Vector Programme.
He stated that the programme is in conjunction with Conventry Football Club in United Kingdom (UK), saying that the programme includes academics where a child can acquire a degree.
Ogbah, made the call while addressing sports journalists recently in Port Harcourt, as the programme will admit students into Brooke College between the age of 11 and 18 Football Academy.
The major objective of Vector Programme is to give the young ones a career through sports and good education. The programme does not train people on football only but also other things that is related to sporting environment, he said.
According to him, more than 20 Nigerians have benefited from the programme on scholarship and most of them are now playing football in top clubs in Europe.
“Vector programme was poised to create an avenue to give people to play football to the highest level.
Apart from football the child can also have quality education. It will interest you to know that those in Vector programme play friendly games that attracts scouts from different countries and football clubs.
The programme doesn’t train you on only football but also train people on everything that is associated to sports”, Ogbah said.
The former Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) player further disclosed Vector programme pathways provides the practice opportunities that players need if they are to successfully graduate as a professional player.

By: Tonye Orabere

Sports

NLO: Khana FC Coach Blames Players For Missing Chances

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2024

The Tide

The Head Coach of Khana FC in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Sam Ledor, has blamed his players as they were unable to convert scoring chances.
According to him, if those chances created in their opening match against Jet Bomber FC at the ongoing Nation wide League One (NLO), in Omoku centre were converted, it would have given them victory.
Ledor, said this on Saturday in a chat with Tidesports shortly after they played goalless draw against Jet Bomber FC in their opening match in 2024 NLO Division in Omoku, Rivers State.
“ We created a lot of scoring chances but could not find the net”, he said.
He explained that playing goalless draw is not a bad result in football but in a competition like this, they need to score goals and win matches.
“ My brother, we missed a lot of scoring chances which is not good. I trainned my players on how to create chances and to convert them.
“ What is important in a competition is winning but as we did not lose the game, we will look forward for our next game.
“We will go back to the drawing board and correct the grey areas in our game and ensure we get better results in our next outing.
“Today’s game is gone, what we need to do is to make sure we win our next game,” he stated.
He pointed out that no game comes easy but the effort you put in will give good result. They tried their best today and the result was good for both teams but we need to win our next game.
“My opponents were also a good side; they tried all what they could but didn’t score also. It was a good game but my team needs to win games,” he added.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Sports

Wilkins Backs Rivers Hoopers To Spring Surprises At 2024 BAL

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2024

The Tide

A French-American, John Walter Wilkins is confident Rivers Hoopers can make it to the playoff round of the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Wilkins, who is the son of former NBA player Jeff Wilkins, linked up with his Hoopers teammates at the team’s training camp in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, ahead of the 2024 BAL Savannah Conference games, which tip off on Saturday, 4th May, 2024, in Dakar, Senegal.
Wilkins is no stranger to African basketball, having played for Moroccan sides AS Salé (2015-2016) and Ittihad Tanger (2017-2019), before leading Stade Malien to a third-place finish at BAL 2023.
Looking ahead to the 2024 BAL, Wilkins says the quality of basketball across Africa has improved, with the BAL requiring a high level of competitiveness, but backed Rivers Hoopers to spring a surprise at the tournament.
“It’s a really high level, a great competition; [it’s] one of the best I’ve played in since I’ve been in Africa. But we don’t need to be scared. We need to just attack the moment, be there, be present, and I think if we are confident in our abilities, we can surprise people,” he said.
Since its inaugural season in 2021, Nigerian teams have appeared twice at the BAL, with Rivers Hoopers playing in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2021 and Kwara Falcons featuring at BAL 2023.
Despite failing to reach the playoffs on both previous occasions, Wilkins is optimistic that with the quality of players in the Hoopers squad as well as the recruitment done ahead of the BAL, Rivers Hoopers will be more competitive in this season’s BAL.
“I’m really optimistic. I know that those past years the teams from Nigeria didn’t do well, but I think with me, Kelvin [Amayo], Will [Perry], and the other guys, I think we can show the way, have some wins, and be more competitive,” he stated.
The Nigerian Champions were drawn in the Savannah Conference alongside former BAL Champions US Monastir (Tunisia), last year’s runners-up AS Douanes (Senegal), and APR (Rwanda).