11.   It was his second of the knockout phase.

12.   Now the knockout phase brings a new level of excitement in a nation where, at least among most whites, rugby receives near-religious devotion.

13.   Only in the knockout phase did it get scary.

14.   Sweden, which tops the standings on better goal difference than England, needs only a draw Wednesday to make the knockout phase.

15.   The draw enabled the unbeaten Swedes to retain first place in the Group H standings ahead of England, which also advanced to the knockout phase.

16.   The Russians, who were eliminated by the United States in the quarterfinals last year, virtually made sure of reaching the knockout phase again.

17.   The squad also received cash bonuses for reaching the second round and each subsequent match in the knockout phase.

18.   The strongest teams it could face in the knockout phase would be Portugal in the second round, and Spain or Germany in the quarterfinals and semifinals.

19.   With the tournament now in the knockout phase, the teams must prepare for possible penalty shootouts.

20.   A relatively straightforward route in the knockout phase gives them an excellent chance of reaching the finals.