England have lashed out at the online abuse directed at Tom Curry after he alleged he was the victim of a racial slur by South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi, with the team insisting he should not be in the eye of the storm for “reporting something somebody said”.
In what amounts to a staunch defence of Curry’s decision to make the allegation to the referee Ben O’Keeffe, the England head coach, Steve Borthwick, called on World Rugby and the South Africa union to deal with the matter and insisted he had no qualms about selecting the flanker for the bronze-medal match against Argentina on Friday.
Owen Farrell, for his part, took aim at the online threats and abuse directed at Curry and his family, with the England captain reminding the keyboard warriors they are “dealing with human beings” after the flanker’s club, Sale Sharks, criticised the “disgusting” treatment of their player.
Like Curry, Mbonambi is also poised to feature this weekend with World Rugby’s investigation likely to drag into next week, ensuring the only specialist hooker in South Africa’s squad is expected to be available for the final against the All Blacks on Saturday.
In a further twist, during training South Africa coaches and players appeared to make light of the allegation that Curry had been called a “white cunt” by Mbonambi. In footage of a training session, the Afrikaans word “kant” could be heard.
Supporters have speculated in defence of Mbonambi that he used this word, which translates as “side”, and the video could be construed as South Africa being provocative in front of the cameras given how the word sounds in English.
“Tom has been the ultimate professional in his preparation this week like he always is every single day and every single week,” said Borthwick, who has made eight changes to his side to face Argentina but kept Curry as part of his back row. “This is not a Tom Curry incident. Somebody has said something in a game that he has reported and now this is a World Rugby and SA Rugby matter to deal with.
“I chatted to [Tom] about how he was physically with another six-day turnaround and he looked straight at me and point blank said: ‘I am desperate to play on Friday night.’ This guy wants to play. There is no doubt in my mind, he wants to be out there on Friday night and the way he has prepared through the week has been incredible. But that is Tom Curry. It is the way he does it every single week so I couldn’t be more proud of him from that side.”
Farrell, who continues as captain and fly-half against the Pumas, was himself the subject of intense social media abuse during the furore surrounding his red card during England’s warmup campaign – the card was initially rescinded, only for World Rugby to successfully appeal against that decision. The England captain said: “What isn’t understandable is the amount of abuse he’s got. The effect that that has, not just on him, as well is the bit that I and we really don’t understand. And I know it seems to be going more and more like this, but it shouldn’t be.
“You are dealing with people, with human beings. Just because you’re saying stuff on your phone or behind a computer screen doesn’t make it acceptable. It doesn’t make me look fondly on engaging with people outside of the people that are close to you. I hope he knows that everybody close to him supports him and backs him all the way. It’s his 50th cap, it’s an unbelievably proud week for him and it’s going to be the same for a few others as well.”
This week England and the Rugby Football Union sought to rally round Curry and on Wednesday Sale Sharks followed suit. In a statement the club said: “Sale Sharks’ owners, players, coaches and staff are absolutely appalled by the nature and level of disgusting abuse directed at Tom Curry and his family in relation to an incident in the England v South Africa World Cup semi-final. Everyone at the club stands fully and proudly behind Tom and we look forward to welcoming him back to Carrington.”
Ben Youngs, meanwhile, has become the second member of the England squad to retire from international duty at the end of the World Cup, following Courtney Lawes. Youngs is England’s most capped men’s player of all time and will make his 127th and final appearance against Argentina, having been handed his first start of the tournament.
England Smith; Steward, Marchant, Tuilagi, Arundell; Farrell (capt), Youngs; Genge, Dan, Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Curry, Underhill, Earl. Replacements George, Rodd, Cole, Ribbans, Ludlam, Care, Ford, Lawrence.
Argentina Mallia, Boffelli, Cinti, de la Fuente, M Carreras; S Carreras, Cubelli; Kodela, Montoya (c), GalloIsa; Kremer, Gonzalez; Rubiolo, Petti, Isa. Replacements Creevy, Sclavi, Bello, Alemanno, Bruni, Velez, N Sanchez, Moroni.
“Ben has been a tremendous player for English rugby for such a long time,” Borthwick said. “A player who has seen a lot in four World Cups and who has played an important role within this squad helping the team, particularly Alex Mitchell, progress. He’s a brilliant player and a fantastic team man.”
Borthwick has recalled Marcus Smith at full-back with Freddie Steward shifting to the wing and Henry Arundell completing an eye‑catching back three. Up front there are starts for Ellis Genge, Theo Dan and Will Stuart while Ollie Chessum returns in the second row and, with Curry switching to blindside, Sam Underhill – who was called up as an injury replacement for Jack Willis – starts at openside, ensuring the “Kamikaze Kids” are reunited in the back row.
Argentina have made three changes to their starting XV for the bronze final against England at Stade de France. Pedro Rubiolo comes in for Tomas Lavanini in the second-row, Tomas Cubelli replaces Gonzalo Bertranou at scrum-half and Jerónimo de la Fuente is given the nod ahead of Santiago Chocobares at inside-centre.
There are 19 survivors from the matchday 23 who were routed 27-10 by England in their Pool D opener.
