England face fine: England could be fined for wilfully ignoring Rugby World Cup officials during a touchline row in the final moments of Sunday's victory over Samoa in Melbourne when Dan Luger was sent on to the pitch as a replacement without authorisation.
It is understood World Cup organisers are less concerned with England momentarily fielding an extra player while the centre Mike Tindall was lying injured than reports of heated exchanges between a member of England's backroom staff and a match official during which insults were allegedly exchanged.
The tournament director Fraser Neill will announce today whether any further action is to be taken, having received reports from the match commissioner Geoff Shaw, the former Australian international, and the match officials concerned. England have also forwarded their version of events, following an admission by the head coach Clive Woodward "an error" had been made.
The incident has generated sufficient heat for the squad's legal adviser Richard Smith to meet England's fitness expert Dave Reddin, the man ultimately responsible for waving Luger on to the field. Instead of waiting until a break in play as required by the Australian fifth official Brett Bowden, it is alleged Reddin, who was following radio orders, instructed Luger to run on regardless. Subsequently, however, it is understood Reddin and the fourth official, the New Zealander Steve Walsh, exchanged words and that the dispute continued after the final whistle.
There remains no question of England being ejected from the competition with Samoa, who lost the game 35-22, having indicated they do not wish to pursue the issue. However, there is every chance tournament organisers will consider sanctions, if only as a deterrent to others, if they conclude the authority of match officials has been undermined.
Pumas duo await verdict
The World Cup judiciary will be busy today with the Argentina props Mauricio Reggiardo and Roberto Grau due to appear before a disciplinary hearing after being cited following accusations of eye-gouging against Ireland last weekend. The Ireland prop Reggie Corrigan and captain Keith Wood both complained of fingers in their eyes and Reggiardo and Grau have been charged with "acts contrary to good sportsmanship".
The Scotland flanker Martin Leslie is also waiting to hear whether his 12-week ban for kneeing the United States' Jason Keyter will be reduced on appeal.
Fijian winger on a mission
Fiji wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca wants to make amends for his two-match suspension in his side's decisive Pool B clash against Scotland on Saturday. Caucaunibuca was found guilty of punching France flanker Olivier Magne in Fiji's opening 61-18 loss in Brisbane and missed the 19-18 victory over the US and 41-13 win over Japan. He will be available to play Scotland, which will determine who goes through to the quarter-finals along with France. "I want to change the feeling in Fiji, make them feel happy," he said yesterday. "I let people down when I did that, so I feel for them, so we'll see on Saturday what's going to happen."
Caucaunibuca said Fiji were well aware of the importance of the game, where the winners will play the winners between Australia and Ireland in the quarter-finals. "It could be our last game, so we'll see after Saturday if we go on," he added. "If they pass the ball out (I'll be) looking forward to scoring some tries."
