Rugby World Cup 2023

Jones's imminent departure comes after a disastrous World Cup campaign in which the Wallabies failed to make the quarterfinals for the first time in history.

During his second stint in charge, Australia won only two of nine Tests in 2023.

Asked on Sunday if he had resigned, Jones replied that it was "not far away", with the paperwork with Rugby Australia surrounding his release set to be signed.

RA said late on Sunday they were not in a position to comment.

Four Handre Pollard penalties to two from Richie Mo’unga gave the Springboks a 12-6 lead after a first half in which All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell was sin-binned for an incident in which Mbongeni Mbonambi was forced off injured. Then New Zealand captain Sam Cane became the first player to be sent off in a RWC final for a high tackle on Jesse Kriel.

The reigning champions were never in front until a long-range penalty from replacement Handre Pollard with just two minutes left on the clock.

Under unrelenting rain, scrum-half Alex Mitchell and fly-half Owen Farrell went to the air again and again for England, whose defence and breakdown work were ferocious as the Springboks had few answers.

Four Farrell first-half penalties to one from Manie Libbok and one from Pollard - who replaced Libbok after just 30 minutes - put England 12-6 up at half-time lead, which Farrell extended to 15-6 with a thumping drop-goal.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, from Tuesday, Raiwalui wrote: "Well I guess it is time to make it official, specifically what the next cycle will look like for Fiji Rugby.

"I will not be seeking an extension of employment with FRU past 31st December. Thanks again to the players, staff & all the supporters, it has been quite a ride!"

Raiwalui has been Fiji's coach since February this year, replacing Vern Cotter. He played 39 times for Fiji between 1997 and 2006.

The hosts made a blistering start with an early try from prop Cyril Baille but they failed to deal with two high kicks as first Kurt-Lee Arendse sprinted to the corner before Damian de Allende plunged over to give the Springboks a 12-7 lead.
 

Tries from Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant as well as 11 points from the boot of Owen Farrell had given England a handy 21-10 lead at half-time.

However, the Flying Fijians roared back into the game in the second half, scoring tries through Peni Ravai and Vilimoni Botitu to level things at 24-24.

In the end it was England fly-half and captain Farrell who settled things for the 2003 champions, kicking a drop goal to regain the lead before slotting a late penalty to secure victory and a place in the last four.

Leicester Fainga’anuku’s try helped the All Blacks race into a 13-0 lead before centre Bundee Aki danced his way over for Ireland. Ardie Savea responded but Jamison Gibson-Park’s try, with Aaron Smith in the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, saw their lead cut to 18-17 at half-time.

Will Jordan bagged his fifth try of the tournament but a penalty try, with hooker Codie Taylor also getting a yellow card, saw Ireland again get within one point.

Eventually, England found a way to come through the stiff challenge presented by their doughty opponents, but it was certainly not at all pretty and came as a result of pure graft towards the end.

England won their final Pool D fixture 18-17 with a scrappy performance in Lille that saw Samoa shine in defeat.

It was a historic day in France as Owen Farrell became England’s top points scorer of all time as he overtook Jonny Wilkinson’s record that had previously stood for 22 years. Additionally, it was the closest score between the two sides in their nine-match history.

The Fijian centre was told of his son Tito’s death last week before the team’s game against Georgia on Saturday. The Pacific Islanders recovered from a 9-0 half-time deficit to win 17-12 and leave them needing only one point from this weekend’s meeting with Os Lobos to reach the last eight.

The funeral of Tito, who died after a long illness, took place in Votua, Ba on Tuesday morning. Fiji Village reported that Tuisova’s father, Isikeli Ratulevu, had spoken to the 29-year-old, who said he was unable to attend the funeral.

Six places in the last eight are still to play for and it’ll be determined this weekend.

Namibia, Tonga, Romania, Georgia, Portugal and Chile are no longer in contention for a top-eight finish.

12 teams including the Fiji Water Flying Fijians will now battle for the six remaining quarter-final spots.

France, New Zealand, Italy, Uruguay, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Japan, Argentina and Samoa are the other nations that have a chance of qualifying.