Uruguay’s departure from the Rugby World Cup has ended on a sour note after police were called to an incident at a restaurant in Kumamoto, reports The Rugby Paper.
Ranked 18th in the world, Los Teros were never expected to make it out of the pool stages for the first time in four World Cup appearances.
They enjoyed their finest hour in a 30-27 opening-match victory over Fiji – celebrating their third World Cup win.
However, disappointingly a pair of players were questioned by police for alleged assault on a restaurant worker, who claimed they were tackled to the ground by the two.
The restaurant is considering filing a criminal complaint about damage to the property after drinks were spilt over DJ equipment while walls were punched-in walls and mirrors were smashed.
According to Kyodo News, a senior member of the World Cup organising committee has travelled to the business in person to apologise.
Uruguay involved in off-field controversy after defeat to Wales causing local restaurant to close its doors#RWC2019https://t.co/ycgMjdPUvk
— The Rugby Paper (@TheRugbyPaper) October 16, 2019
“Even if it happened in their private time, their behaviour is regrettable. As the organizing committee of the host country, we hope to address it in good faith,” a committee official said.
How did they do?
- Beat Fiji 30-27 in Kamaishi
- Lost to Georgia 33-7 in Kumagaya
- Lost to Australia 45-10 in Oita
- Lost to Wales 35-13 in Kumamoto
Uruguay by numbers
- 812 – Uruguay’s combined pack weight differed with Australia’s by almost 90kg. As it also did with Georgia’s. It was the tournament’s lightest pack.
- 26 – The team’s age average makes it the youngest at the RWC 2019.
- 4 – Uruguay scored tries in all of their RWC 2019 matches, against every opponent. This is without precedent.
- 0 – Uruguay did not face a single Tier 1 nation between RWCs 2015 and 2019.
- 30 – Uruguay managed to improve their overall tally in a single RWC match. They scored 30 points against Fiji, improving their previous total of 27, in 1999, against Spain.