A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Cup vote under scrutiny

It seems there is still no definitive version of how the International Rugby Board (IRB) voted when handing the 2011 Rugby World Cup to New Zealand, but there is no shortage of supposition. One "conspiracy theory" that sounds plausible is that peddled by rugbyenews.com.

Its analysis suggests most nations have been happy to confirm which way they voted. With others a decent guesstimate is possible.

South Africa were eliminated at the first ballot, receiving only four votes when their expectation would have been for a minimum of six.

The website says: "They received two of their four votes from Argentina and wider Africa. The other two votes South Africa received in the first ballot are thought to be from France but are as yet undeclared.

"Japan received seven votes in the first ballot. Six are accounted for, two from both England and Australia and one each from Asia and Canada. The undeclared one came from either Italy or wider Europe.

"New Zealand received eight votes in the first ballot, two votes each from Wales, Ireland and Scotland plus one vote from Oceania and one other. That one other is either Italy or wider Europe depending on which of these voted for Japan.

"When South Africa came back in with voting rights after being eliminated, their two votes in the second ballot went to New Zealand. Argentina and wider Africa both followed South Africa's lead once eliminated and transferred across to New Zealand's camp for the second ballot.

"The other two votes originally for South Africa, thought to be from France, transferred to Japan, making the final tally New Zealand 12 Japan 9.

"Reported acrimony between New Zealand and Australia seems now to have been made far too much of. South Africa's 'Sanzar solidarity' in voting for New Zealand in the second ballot was a paper tiger because New Zealand did not promise any kind of reciprocation.

"The suggestion of any form of moral imperative is both abhorrent and ridiculous, hence the need for ballots. It is obvious that Australia voted for Japan solely because they believed it was best for the growth of the game."

Japan must still feel horribly done by while the IRB's shambolic press release to point out their commitment to globalisation doesn't go any way towards explaining the how they passed up what was a glorious opportunity to do the right thing for the game.

Spain going well

The qualification for RWC 2007 continues apace in Europe, with Spain sitting in the box seat in Round 3, Pool A while Germany are similarly well place in Pool B.

The Spanish recently beat Moldova 40-7 to make it two wins from as many matches (they earlier beat Poland), while Germany find themselves in the exact same position in Pool B.

When the competition resumes early in the New Year the winners of Round 3 will progress to meet a home-and-away challenge against Russia, Ukraine or the Czech Republic. Spain (27) and Germany (28) have moved ahead of Ukraine (31) in the IRB world rankings.

Two winners from that group of four move into the final round of European qualifying with Italy, Romania, Portugal and Georgia, where three teams will qualify directly and one will go to repechage.

X-Box kicks hot up

The New Zealanders obviously enjoy off-pitch rugby too. There is a contest on PS2 and X-Box during the tour to find out who's the best exponent of EA Sports' Rugby 2005. Rising star Isaia Toeava chopped down one of the favourites, Rico Gear, 21-19.

Gear, who scored a hat-trick against Wales on the field two weeks ago, led for the whole game until 19-year-old Toeava, who made his debut against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, kept a cool head and put Blues halfback David Gibson over against Gear's Bulls in the 65th minute. He converted and the score stayed 21-19 at the final whistle.

Fifth-seed Toeava now faces quiet achiever Mose Tuiali'I (third seed) in one semi-final, while big hitting and even bigger talking Sione Lauaki - he shook off the relatively inexperienced Aaron Mauger 42-12 in the previous round - faces Keven Mealamu (2) in the other.

"I'm more nervous about this match than a real game," Lauaki said.

Different shades of red

There were contradictory interpretations following the injury-time dust up in England's victory over Samoa at Twickenham. Samoan wing Alesana Tuilagi and England flanker Lewis Moody, Leicester team-mates incidentally, both received straight red cards.

England wing Mark Cueto, the man Tuilagi upended in the dangerous tackle that sparked the melee, said his reaction to the incident caused the ensuing brawl. " I should have got up and got on with things. But it was the second one (tackle) in a couple of minutes, and it got a bit ugly after that."

Manu Samoa coach Michael Jones took a different view of the tackle, claiming Tuilagi was already committed to making it.

"Looking at the timing, he was already committed, not knowing where his opposite player was.

"It was unfortunate timing, but I don't think there was any malice. It did look very bad. There was a reaction from Cueto, and Moody came in and took a swing at Alesana from behind, and then it was all on.

"We need to look at the sequence of events. I think the guys were getting quite frustrated, and they didn't appreciate one of their boys getting hit from behind, which is what I think started it."

Samoa skipper Semo Sititi could find himself in hot water with the match commissioner as he appeared to throw several uppercuts.

Jones though defended his captain: "For Semo to be involved in that, there was obviously something very awry. He is a consummate professional, but he was aggrieved very much by what he saw."