Kyle Sinckler knocked out by Maro Itoje elbow after only two minutes

The Harlequins tighthead prop was having a superb World Cup but did not last long in the final.

Kyle Sinckler has proved himself to be one of the world's best No.3s over these past two months but he only lasted two minutes of the final in Yokohama. A sickening, accidental collision with England teammate Maro Itoje, as both men tackled Makazole Mapimpi, did for Sinckler and he was left sparked on the pitch. Ahead of the game, Sinckler was understandably looking nervous and there was a large bin strategically placed beside him in the England dressing room. Sinckler joined his teammates for a rousing rendition of the English anthem but it was South Africa that started brighter. Handre Pollard missed an early penalty and when Mapimpi took the ball up-field, when Owen Farrell kicked long, Itoje and Sinckler combined for the tackle. Itoje's elbow made a thudding connection with Sinckler's temple and that was his game over: https://twitter.com/AFP_Sport/status/1190558233620078598 [caption id="attachment_207702" align="aligncenter" width="864"] Credit: Rugby World Cup (via RTE Player)[/caption] https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1190557163774717952 https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/1190557254308761601 Less than three minutes gone and the game was held up for several more as Sinckler received treatment on the pitch. He did eventually come around and was able to walk off the pitch, with assistance nearby, but he would not return. Leicester pop Dan Cole replaced him and would be tasked with finishing out the remaining 77 minutes.

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