As the penalties and yellow cards mount up against Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, Betham said the teams were “tainted”.
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“We don’t train to go out to hurt people”. We go out there to play tough rugby and hard rugby, ‘ Betham said. But it’s not an excuse. Canada was already out of the tournament after losing all four matches in Pool D.
“We were warned of things we were to be mindful of coming from the past”, he added, confirming the warning related to “ill discipline”.
While that’s good news for them, the bad news for the Pacific Island teams is they appear to have slipped. At the end of the day we have to abide by the rules.
While the Pacific Islanders are out of the tournament, Japan could reach the quarter-finals if Samoa beat Scotland on Saturday. In the fall-out from that match, powerful winger Alesana Tuilagi was given a five-week suspension for striking a Japanese player with his knee as he caught a high ball.
Samoa is still considering whether to appeal against the suspension against Tuilagi.
“I don’t think there’s any intent to injure him in that incident and nothing was made of it during the game”.
“It will most likely be my last World Cup so I wanted it to be a memorable one for me and my family”.
“The processes are put in place and we’ll leave it how it is. The truth of it is a lot of us players are professionals and having to come and play for your country – yes, it’s saddening but we just get on with it”.
Another England World Cup victor, Ben Kay, tweeted: “I’m all for making our collision sport as safe as possible but REALLY? The Scots have a lot on the line too, but we’ll give our best”. Scrum-half Kahn Fotuali’i has taken over as captain.
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World Rugby’s statement confirmed that Tuilagi has 48 hours to appeal the decision which has not only ended his hopes of playing in Samoa’s final World Cup match against Scotland on Saturday, but possibly his worldwide career. Substitutes: M Matu’u, V Afatia, A Perenise, F Levave, V Tuilagi, V Afemai, P Faapale, Ken Pisi.
