England Rugby Player Joe Marler Suspended for Grabbing Player's Genitals
Mar 13, 2020
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Joe Marler of England during the 2020 Guinness Six Nations match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium on February 23, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus)
England rugby prop Joe Marler has been punished with a 10-week ban for grabbing Wales' Alun Wyn Jones' genitals.
The incident took place during Saturday's dramatic Six Nations battle at Twickenham, which England narrowly won 33-30.
Per BBC Sport, the shortest ban World Rugby issues for "grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals" is 12 weeks. However, the commission opted to impose a 10-week suspension after considering the case.
Marler's club, Harlequins, expressed their disappointment at the length of the ban. A statement read: "Whilst not in any way condoning Joe's actions last Saturday we are disappointed at the level of sanction applied, particularly when compared to other disciplinary decisions announced this week."
South Africa Beat England 32-12 in 2019 Rugby World Cup Final
Nov 2, 2019
South Africa's scrum-half Faf de Klerk (L) and South Africa's centre Lukhanyo Am (C) congratulate South Africa's wing Makazole Mapimpi after he scored a try during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup final match between England and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on November 2, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)
South Africa produced a stunning performance to clinch the 2019 Rugby World Cup on Saturday, comfortably beating England 32-12 in Yokohama, Japan.
The first half was a tetchy affair, with both sides making a number of mistakes in possession. However, South Africa's set-piece play saw them earn regular penalties, and four kicks from Handre Pollard put them 12-6 ahead at the interval, with Owen Farrell notching two for England.
After a couple more penalties each in the second half, South Africa made a decisive score through Makazole Mapimpi in the 66th minute, with his converted try moving the Springboks 25-12 in front.
With England chasing a late comeback, South Africa were then able to counter, with Cheslin Kolbe scoring their second try and sealing the contest:
Success for South Africa sees them draw level with New Zealand on three titles having previously won the tournament in 1995 and 2007.
The pattern of the first period was set early on, when England lost Kyle Sinckler following a heavy hit. His absence would prove detrimental to Eddie Jones' team in the scrum battles later in the match.
South Africa were the stronger side from the off, and after Pollard missed with his first attempt at goal, he found his range quickly.
He slotted four penalties between the posts, including one on the brink of half time, to give the Springboks a six-point advantage:
England came closest of the two sides to scoring a try in the first period, but they were held up by some stellar defensive play from South Africa, per Matthew Southcombe of the MailOnline:
Incredible defence from South Africa.
Stunning work from Willie Le Roux out wide to collar Watson and then Farrell.
Ridiculous advantage mind. Garces should have brought it back ages ago. #RWCFinal
England's task didn't get any easier after the restart, when another brutal scrum from South Africa resulted in another penalty, allowing them to extend their lead to nine.
Despite their struggles, England were able to keep knocking kicks over themselves, as a couple more from Farrell came either side of another from Pollard. With an hour gone, the Springboks had an 18-12 lead.
The decisive moment in the game came not long after, as South Africa produced a sweeping counter, finished brilliantly by Mapimpi:
England sought to rally in the final stages, but a combination of errors on their part and continued rock-solid defence from South Africa prevented them from building any late momentum.
Eventually, the Springboks capitalised on that desperation, with Kolbe producing a sensational finish to cap off a fine performance from his side.
The win is testament to head coach Rassie Erasmus, who has done a stellar job turning the South African team around since his arrival. He will be delighted with the manner in which his side executed their game plan on Saturday, as they were dominant against a strong opponent.
England Defeat New Zealand to Advance to 2019 Rugby World Cup Final
Oct 26, 2019
England produced one of their greatest-ever performances to beat New Zealand 19-7 on Saturday at Yokohama's Nissan Stadium and book themselves a spot in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final in Japan.
Manu Tuilagi put his side ahead with a try inside two minutes, and England never relented despite late New Zealand pressure.
The all-conquering All Blacks, aiming to win a third consecutive World Cup, were never allowed on to the front foot by an immaculate England side, who responded brilliantly after Ardie Savea narrowed the scoreline in the 57th minute with New Zealand's only try of the match.
George Ford's four penalties made England's lead unassailable, and they will now wait for the result of Sunday's semi-final to see whether they face South Africa or Wales in the final.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, meanwhile, will bow out from his remarkable tenure after the bronze final following New Zealand's first World Cup loss since 2007. The 60-year-old announced in December he will step down as the side's manager at the conclusion of the tournament.
England came flying out of the blocks with a set of brilliant opening phases in Yokohama.
Just 98 seconds into proceedings, with New Zealand barely having touched the ball, Tuilagidrove over the line from two metres for the first try after superb work from KyleSincklerand CourtneyLawes:
In the 25th minute, SamUnderhillcrossed the try line under the posts after a brilliant delayed pass fromSinckler, but it was chalked off by theTMOdue to Tom Curry's obstruction.
George Ford added three points from a penalty before the break, though, to keep England in the ascendancy:
England's relentless pressure continued after the break, and BenYoungsfinished off a near-perfect drivinglineoutfor what looked to be England's second try six minutes into the second half.
Again, though, theTMOruled the score out, this time more controversially:
Another Ford penalty soon after made it 13-0, but Saveathen went over for a try just before the hour to put the All Blacks firmly back in contention.
For almost the first time in the whole match, England'slineoutbroke down, andSaveagratefully snatched the ball in space and got New Zealand on the board.
England's response was clinical as they immediately piled pressure on the All Black line with consecutive phases, and the defending world champions would have been relieved to escape with just Ford's third penalty of the match conceded.
New Zealand could not turn the momentum, though, with England defending brilliantly and consistently turning over the ball, strangling the life out of their opponents.
A fourth Ford penalty 11 minutes from time gave Eddie Jones' side a 12-point lead, and the All Blacks never looked like making a comeback against an impressively dominant England who will likely go into the final as favourites no matter their opponents.
