LONDON: World Cup officials are moving to rectify their man of the match farce, admitting their system is flawed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In the wake of the Joe Launchbury debacle, powerbrokers say they will adjust their process for the quarter finals this weekend.
There was outcry and discontent when England lock Launchbury was given man of the match honours despite Australia beating his team 33-13 two weeks ago.
Launchbury admitted he was embarrassed to get the award after Bernard Foley scored 28 points to guide Australia to their biggest ever win against England.
The existing voting system sees a shortlist of three players selected by the tournament's world feed radio early in the second half before fans choose their preference on social media, resulting in some bizarre picks.
"There is a rethink happening because there have been a few challenges," said head of Rugby World Cup Alan Gilpin.
"Any man-of-the-match scenario where you have a public vote and that public vote takes place at a particular point in the game leads to some anomalies.
"We saw that with the Uruguay player who received a red card shortly after being named man of the match and of course the Launchbury situation.
"We're looking at that now before the knockout stage and the plan is for the change to be made. We're adjusting the timing and the way the voting takes place."
Wales halfback Gareth Davies was named man of the match against the Wallabies last weekend.
It was a game Australia won 15-6 and put on one of the most courageous defensive efforts in World Cup history.
The Wallabies play Scotland in the quarter final at Twickenham on Sunday (Monday morning AEDT).
Meanwhile, England 2015 managing director Stephen Brown and World Rugby boss Brett Gosper offered slightly different views on England's World Cup disappointment, although both felt the tournament would continue to be a success.
It is the first time a host nation will be missing from the quarter-finals and it is felt their absence will not impact on interest levels in the final weeks.
"With the tournament being in full swing and proving a juggernaut with huge success and momentum, there has been very little effect, if any, on the global nature of the tournament," Gosper said.
"All tournaments would like the hosts to do well enough to keep momentum going in the host country, but my sense is this is a very mature and philosophical sporting market.
"England may be out but the people here still love their sport and love the event. The spirit of English fans will still contribute to making this tournament a success. We're fine."
Brown, the Rugby Football Union's financial director, was less sanguine over the departure of Stuart Lancaster's men.
"There is no question that we are disappointed that England, the host nation, are not involved in the knockout phase. I don't think we can shy away from that," Brown said.
"That is a challenge. We were always ready for 12 teams going home after the pool phases. We always knew that one big nation was going to go out of the Pool A."
