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Kyle Sinckler 'out before he hit the ground' after being brutally KO'd just minutes into World Cup final
By Ian Cameron
England got off to a shaky start in the World Cup final they lost 32-12, an opening which was compounded by the loss of tighthead Kyle Sinckler after he was brutally knocked out.
Sinckler was KO'd out after colliding with Maro Itoje. The accidental collision came when the pair of England forwards tackled Springbok winger Makazole Mapimpi in the third minute.
Sinckler was left motionless on the ground with his arms straight in the air. The reaction, known as the 'fencing response', is often an indicator of a mid-level but not severe concussion.
Sinckler was attended to by medics and came round after two of three minutes of attention.
It was a collision that worried many on social media:
Sinckler was sent for a HIA and was automatically removed from the game. The concern for England fans then became whether Dan Cole could last 77 minutes of rugby. Cole started against USA but came off the bench in all of England's other matches - against Tonga, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.
Sinckler has been one of the standout front rows at the World Cup. The 120kg tighthead credits his mother with introducing him to rugby, after he switched from football at age eight after his mother heard of his physicality on the pitch.
Sinckler was described as an ‘emotional timebomb’ by Wales coach Warren Gatland during the 2019 Six Nations. Subsequently, Sinckler conceded three penalties during England’s 21-13 defeat by Wales and was replaced in the 57th minute.
The Harlequins prop conceded the second-most penalties of any player during the 2018-19 Premiership season with 29 behind Northampton’s Alex Waller. Harlequins captain Chris Robshaw spoke to him about discipline after he received a yellow card for slapping Sale’s Faf de Klerk in the chest.
Growing up he modelled himself on former New Zealand prop Carl Hayman.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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