WOMEN’S WORLD CUP NOTEBOOK: Rain follows England to Brisbane as two groups are compelled to apologise for showing to mock the Haka… Whereas Alessia Russo meets David Beckham

England are simply days away from their first World Cup fixture in Australia as they give the impression of being so as to add the title to their European Championship triumph from final yr.

Sarina Wiegman’s side arrived in Brisbane on Monday as they upped their preparations for his or her opening recreation in opposition to Haiti this weekend.

Supervisor Sarina Wiegman has loads of issues to resolve forward of the sport, with choice a scorching matter amid accidents to and retirements of players from the Euros squad that noticed the identical beginning XI named in each recreation.

Whereas eyes of the nation will likely be on the Lionesses for the match, Monday noticed torrential rain, a video of Alessia Russo meeting David Beckham air and flashbacks to a bin rooster turning up on the coaching camp.

Mail Sport’s Kathryn Batte brings the primary version of the Girls’s World Cup Pocket book. 

England supervisor Sarina Wiegman is readying England for his or her first recreation of the World Cup in opposition to Haiti on Saturday

England are hoping so as to add world dominance to their European triumph from final yr

NO PLACE LIKE HOME 

Because the Melbourne band Crowded Home as soon as sang: ‘At all times take the climate with you.’ 

The Lionesses’ coaching camp was within the distant city of Marcoola on the Sunshine Coast — and most days the area lived as much as its identify. 

However as England moved to Brisbane on Monday for his or her opening recreation, they had been met by torrential rain. Hopefully not an omen for Saturday’s fixture. 

HACKED OFF OVER THE HAKA

The Netherlands and Spain confirmed how to not endear yourselves to the native inhabitants after they had been compelled to apologise for showing to mock the Haka.

Simply days after touchdown in New Zealand, 4 Spain gamers had been filmed imitating the ceremonial Maori dance, with the clip shared by the group’s social media account earlier than it was deleted.

In a similar way, a video posted on the Netherlands’ Twitter web page confirmed defender Merel van Dongen shouting ‘Haka, New Zealand’, whereas slapping her thighs. Each groups had been closely criticised and accused of being disrespectful.

Spain had been compelled to apologise for showing to mock the Haka in a video shared on social media

Merel van Dongen of Holland additionally apologised after an analogous video was shared, insisting she didn’t imply to poke enjoyable on the conventional dance

Van Dongen apologised and insisted she didn’t imply to poke enjoyable on the conventional dance. Spain waited till their group welcome on Sunday to supply an apology.

Captain Ivana Andres issued a press release in entrance of elders and members of the native Rangitane O Manawatu iwi (tribe).

The Haka, which is carried out by a number of New Zealand sports activities groups, is described as a ‘ceremonial Maori conflict dance or problem’.

The dance represents a show of a tribe’s delight, energy and unity.

RUSSO MEETS BECKHAM

Alessia Russo met up with David Beckham because the England legend gave the Lionesses striker some recommendation as she appears to be like ahead to her first World Cup. 

The pair met up behind the scenes of Russo’s shoot for his or her sponsor Adidas, with Beckham sharing some perception about what it’s wish to play in a World Cup, in addition to his admiration for the ‘infectious expertise’ and keenness Russo and her team-mates proceed to indicate. 

The dialog lined a variety of subjects together with Russo’s back-heel purpose on the Euros and the way she and her team-mates have impressed Beckham’s younger daughter, Harper. 

David Beckham (proper) sat with Alessia Russo (left) for a chat forward of the Girls’s World Cup

Beckham thanked ahead Russo for ‘inspiring a era’, together with his daughter Harper

A DOWNER DOWN UNDER 

English followers making ready to journey Down Underneath needs to be warned that Queensland is without doubt one of the few states in Australia the place you can not purchase alcohol in supermarkets. 

Its capital and largest metropolis, Brisbane, is the situation of the Lionesses’ first recreation and potential spherical of 16 tie ought to they high their group. 

Some locations appear to be displaying World Cup matches however many eating places and bars shut earlier than 9pm — and don’t hassle searching for a espresso store after 3pm. 

These in Sydney say the nightlife is significantly extra vigorous. 

An Australian white ibis was recurrently noticed at England’s coaching camp final week whereas a brushturkey interrupted Wiegman’s current chat with the media

WHERE HAVE YOU BIN?

It isn’t simply kangaroos which have been following the England group round. The Australian white ibis, generally known as a ‘bin rooster’, was recurrently noticed across the Lionesses coaching camp whereas a brushturkey made some extent of interrupting Wiegman’s chat with the media final week. 

Gamers is not going to be freed from the birds in Brisbane, with two already noticed only a quick stroll from their lodge. 

The group seemed extra at residence with koalas at Australia Zoo, with Lauren James and Lauren Hemp getting a hug off the cuddly animal.