While you were sleeping: Wales flanker Dan Lydiate sees ghost following headknock

NZ Herald

5 Oct, 2015 05:42 PM3 mins to read

Medics treat Dan Lydiate after he suffers a blow to the head during the Wales v Fiji match. Photo / Getty Images

All the latest news from the Rugby World Cup including a Welshman seeing ghosts and the Wallabies player who could miss the big match-up at Twickenham on Sunday.

The Welsh are in good spirits

Wales flanker Dan Lydiate is apparently seeing things after recovering from a bad bump on the head suffered against Fiji.

"He actually thinks he's seen a ghost (at the team hotel)," Wales prop Samson Lee said. "But I think he's dreaming. He had a bang on the head and that might be the problem."

There has been previous ghost sightings at the hotel with a "grey lady seen wandering through the building," according to Wales Online. Flanker James Kings said some players have been hiding in cupboards to play pranks.

Wales, who play Australia on Sunday, are staying in a hotel that stands on the site of the palace of 16th-century British monarch Henry III.

England's loss to Australia last Saturday confirmed Wales as a quarterfinalist from the tournament's toughest group and they square off against Australia at Twickenham on Sunday for top spot. But wait, there's more. Apparently Wales are injury free.

The Gosper truth about Japan's amazing World Cup

Japan keep scoring upset victories. Their win over South Africa led to a record 25 million Japanese viewers tuning in to watch their triumph over Samoa. This beat the previous national record of 20.7 set in France, when they lost to England in the 2007 semifinal.

World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper said:"Japan have set this entire tournament alight with how they have performed in all their games - their style of play has really caught the imagination of rugby fans around the world."

Naholo leaves everyone guessing

He is limping although the All Blacks say the powerful wing - rushed back after using traditional Fijian treatment on a broken leg - will be okay.

Ma'a Nonu is set to return from a shoulder injury to play his 100th test, against Tonga on Saturday.

Shoulder charge charge

The Wallabies have a major problem. Ace Aussie openside Michael Hooper looks set to miss the final pool game against Wales on Sunday and beyond. He has been charged with "charging into a ruck or maul without use of the arms or grasping the player" which pretty much sums up what he did against England. Hooper and David Pocock are the Australians' not-so-secret weapon as a marauding loose forward combo without peer. Australia and Wales will be desperate to head their group in order to avoid South Africa in the quarter finals.

The news doesn't get any better for England

They've dropped to eight in the world rankings. But at least they should finished third in their group and will qualify for the next World Cup in Japan. Uruguay could pip them but have the horror draw - playing Fiji tomorrow morning and England on Sunday. That's hardly a fair turnaround.