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Paris: South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi has been cleared to play in Saturday’s (Sunday AEDT) Rugby World Cup final, World Rugby said on Thursday, after insufficient evidence was found that he used discriminatory language towards England flanker Tom Curry.
Mbonambi, the only specialist hooker in the Springbok squad as they prepare to face New Zealand in Paris, was investigated after Curry made the allegation during the first half of last weekend’s semi-final, which South Africa won 16-15.
World Rugby was subsequently asked to review a similar incident in a match between the two teams in London last year.
“Having considered all the available evidence, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges,” World Rugby said in a statement.
“Therefore, the matter is deemed closed unless additional evidence comes to light.”
World Rugby added that it accepted that Curry made the allegation in good faith, “and that there is no suggestion that the allegation was deliberately false or malicious”.
Bongi Mbonambi will take the field as New Zealand and South Africa vie to become the first four-time winners of the Rugby World Cup.Credit: Getty
South African Rugby said it was satisfied with Mbonambi’s version of events. “Bongi Mbonambi is an experienced, respected and decorated Test player and, needless to say, denied the allegations from the outset. SA Rugby has absolute faith in the honesty and integrity of Bongi,” a statement said.
But England’s Rugby Football Union said it was “deeply disappointed” with the decision not to hold a formal hearing.
“The decision not to put the evidence before an independent disciplinary panel has denied the disciplinary process the opportunity to hear Tom Curry’s voice and to independently assess his account of these serious events, together with the other available evidence,” a statement said.
The RFU claim Curry was subject to the same abuse from Mbonambi in the Springboks’ 27-13 victory over England at Twickenham last November, although there appears to be no evidence of this either.
Tom Curry has done nothing wrong. We have a victim who has not been heard … that’s where the disappointment really comes.
As Curry prepared for Friday’s third-place play-off against Argentina, when he will win his 50th cap, England coach Steve Borthwick said: “The RFU has expressed great disappointment at World Rugby’s decision. That disappointment is shared by Tom, his teammates and the management.
“Everybody associated with this team shares that bitter disappointment at World Rugby’s decision.
“Tom Curry has done nothing wrong. We have a victim of the situation who has not been able to have his voice heard … that’s where the disappointment really comes.”
England have subsequently highlighted online abuse aimed at the 25-year-old Curry and Springboks captain Siya Kolisi told reporters on Thursday he had contacted him.
Sam Whitelock could win a third World Cup in his final competitive match after being restored to the All Blacks’ bench.Credit: Getty
“I have spoken to him,” Kolisi said. “We can take it as players when it comes to you directly, but when it’s your family, it’s difficult. We support each other, I feel for his family and I hope it stops.”
New Zealand, meanwhile, tweaked their team with a single change but resisted any temptation to power up their bench to offset the forward-heavy list of replacements named by the Springboks.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster changed his lock combination again with Brodie Retallick restored to the lineup and Sam Whitelock returning to the list of replacements in his only change to the starting team.
New Zealand believe Whitelock, playing his third World Cup final and his last competitive game, is most effective coming off the bench, and could bring an injection of energy at a time when South Africa are refreshing their forwards.
Retallick and Scott Barrett started against Ireland in the quarter-final and Barrett and Whitelock were the lock combination in the semi-final success against Argentina.
Among the substitutes tighthead prop Nepo Laulala comes in for Fletcher Newell, adding more size, but the All Blacks keep a 5-3 split between forwards and backs on the replacements bench.
South Africa have gambled with a controversial 7-1 split, putting their faith in forward power to provide the key to success but leaving themselves exposed if any of their backs get injured or run out of steam.
Six of New Zealand’s matchday squad for the game are previous World Cup winners and the 23-man team has a collective total of 1387 caps, making it the most experienced All Blacks squad for any of their record five World Cup final appearances.
Reuters
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