Rugby – Worldwide Sports News

October 22, 2026

McDermott blames Rugby League World Cup format as England face exit

Big wins and help from Tonga needed to reach semi-finals
‘You’ve got to hit the ground running, which we didn’t do.

Brian McDermott has conceded England’s hopes of reaching the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals may already be over, the head coach blaming the tournament’s format and their opening loss to Tonga.

The World Cup has been reduced to 10 teams, down from 16 four years ago. That is largely due to financial reasons when the hosts, Australia, stepped in after France’s withdrawal. That has led to a unique format, with different levels of jeopardy for different countries based on their group.

October 22, 2026October 22, 2026

Marky Mark opens up on World Cup call … and the emotional Roosters moment as NRL return remains ajar

Mark Nawaqanitawase says representing either Fiji or Italy over Australia in next year’s Rugby World Cup is a genuine possibility.

October 21, 2026

Maro Itoje seals England future by agreeing new deal with Saracens

Captain will resist lure of big-money move to France
‘Maro is everything we want at the club – a brilliant leader’

Maro Itoje has reaffirmed his long‑term commitment to England, rejecting interest from France by agreeing a new deal with Saracens.

Itoje’s existing deal, signed in 2024, was due to expire after the World Cup next year but he has agreed terms with his club despite interest from Top 14 sides. A move to either Perpignan or Bordeaux had been mooted but the 31-year-old is to commit his future to the club he first represented in 2013 with a new deal, believed to be until 2029.

October 21, 2026

New 30k-seat Canberra stadium proposed but top politician’s push to add AFL, cricket under fire

Plans for a new lakeside stadium in the centre of Canberra have emerged this month, with ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr calling for the proposed rectangular venue to also be configured for AFL and cricket matches.

October 17, 2026

England stunned as Tonga tonking leaves Rugby League World Cup hopes in shreds

Pool B + C: England 12-30 Tonga
England Women thump Wales 70-6

The Rugby League World Cup began with a sense of mission improbable for England, but after one game, it already represents something more like mission impossible.

The talk pre-tournament from Brian McDermott had been about being different. Going against the grain of how the national team has played against the world’s best and falling short; having a creative spark that would be significant in crucial moments. For all the talk of change, the most important thing of all remained the same in Perth on Saturday: the result.

October 17, 2026

Australia 21-43 New Zealand: Bledisloe Cup rugby union international – as it happened

All Blacks secure 13th straight win against Wallabies
Barrett and Moorby score two tries each at Accor Stadium

It’s skipper Codie Taylor that is out onto the field first though, leading his players past Nathan Charles, allowing every All Black to shake the former Wallaby hooker by the hand.

Damien McKenzie is responsible for the final prematch rev-up. Vision of his address appears to show every member of the New Zealand squad wearing bright coral pink boots to sign off their otherwise entirely black outfit. It’s a very strong look.

October 17, 2026October 17, 2026

‘Worst halves ever’: Wallabies humiliated after All Blacks deliver six-try first-half blitz

The New Zealand All Blacks came close to rewriting the record books with a scintillating, one-sided performance in their thirteenth straight win over the Wallabies

October 16, 2026

‘Brilliant guy’: South African rugby player tragically found dead hours before match

South African rugby player Hyron Andrews has died in a tragic accident on a French island.

October 16, 2026

England’s World Cup test against Tonga will show where power really lies in rugby league

England begin their tournament on Saturday with a must-win fixture in Perth that can inject some optimism into the European game

Two games into the men’s World Cup and the tournament is already overflowing with colour. As if the biggest Test crowd in Sydney for more than 50 years was not enough cause for celebration, Australia and New Zealand served up one of the great international games of modern times, with the Kangaroos edging a thriller on the opening night.

But the stories do not end there. Samoa’s rise as a league powerhouse continued with a record win against France on Friday, with their passionate and united Pasifika fanbase fuelling the energy for a tilt at a second consecutive final. Tonga and Papua New Guinea will continue the theme of national pride and unforgettable noise this weekend.

October 16, 2026

‘We want the best league in the world’: Bath’s Bruce Craig on 16 years at the Rec

Bath’s co-owner and ‘wily old fox’ on the need for Champions Cup change and the future of the Prem

It doesn’t feel like 16 years since Bruce Craig first shared his vision for Bath Rugby with the Guardian. Back then there were plenty wondering if his extravagant ambitions would be realised and even he describes it as “a long haul” at times. “It has been a lot more difficult than I anticipated. Anyone would have wanted it to happen a lot quicker than it actually has. But anything worthwhile is difficult and takes a long time.”

It has also taught him loads about the inner workings of professional rugby. “I’m not the new young buck on the block I was a few years ago, I’m the old wily fox now.” These days he compares it to a “four-dimensional” puzzle, even for the wealthiest owners. “When you come from business into rugby you probably think there would be a lot of crossovers. But it’s different. In business … it’s a lot easier to get the outcomes.”

October 16, 2026

Sports quiz of the week: love, songs, speedy skating and celebrations

Have you followed the big stories in football, rugby, tennis, boxing, basketball, skateboarding, F1 and the NFL?

October 16, 2026

New Zealand cling to hope of Kalyn Ponga playing at World Cup despite broken arm

Kiwis fullback sustained injury in second half in defeat to Kangaroos
Ponga was a standout in his first Test since a switch of allegiance

Kalyn Ponga will undergo surgery on his broken arm but will remain in camp with New Zealand not giving up on the superstar fullback playing again in the Rugby League World Cup.

Ponga failed to finish his long-awaited Test debut for the Kiwis, departing in the 70th minute of the 24-22 loss after suffering the injury earlier in the second half.

October 15, 2026

‘Keep him on board’: Star’s shock allegiance call emerges in Wallabies’ worst nightmare

Wallabies coach Les Kiss is adamant that Mark Nawaqanitawase’s desire is to play for Australia at next year’s Rugby World Cup despite the code-crossing star reportedly considering representing Fiji or Italy at the tournament.

October 15, 2026

The one that got away: Tom Willis back to show what England are missing

Bordeaux No 8 takes on Gloucester in Champions Cup to underline hole he will leave Borthwick for the World Cup

Swines are swirling above Twickenham, the cows have returned to their roots and hell is an icy sub-zero. Steve Borthwick has been given a free pass to pick one player based outside England. The consensus is that Jack Willis – Toulouse captain and two‑time Top 14 player of the season – would be the obvious choice. The smart money, however, would be on Borthwick picking brother Tom in a flash.

For clarity, this is not going to happen. It is not World Cup season without a cause celebre but the reality is that you, dear reader, have more chance of selection. Still, the story of the younger Willis warrants re-examining. Firstly because his decision to head for France after receiving an enhanced contract was unprecedented. Secondly because for Bordeaux he is pulling up trees, forests and anything else in his way this season. England’s No 8 depth is shallow and Willis is the type of player Borthwick would give his right arm for. After Bordeaux have begun their Champions Cup defence at Gloucester on Friday, chances are his left too.

October 15, 2026October 15, 2026

Australia 24-22 New Zealand: men’s Rugby League World Cup – as it happened

Kangaroos snatch victory from Kiwis in opener at Allianz Stadium
Jack Bostock scores hat-trick of tries on debut for Australia

Tonight’s referee is Adam Gee, the man in the middle of the recent NRL grand final. He excelled quietly on that occasion and the big match rewards keep flowing his direction.

The 2026 men’s RLWC features ten teams. Eight of these qualified via their performances at the last world cup, back in 2022. That is: Australia, New Zealand, England, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, PNG, and Lebanon. The first seven countries in that list also happen to be the top seven on the IRL rankings; Lebanon are a lowly 23rd.

The remaining qualifiers, France and Cook Islands, won regional playoffs. Cook Islands are ranked eighth in the world, by the way, France recently held that position but have slipped to 11th. In other words, the cream of the crop will be on display.

The tournament will be played under NRL rules, including six players on the interchange bench with up to four to be used.

The ten teams have been distributed into three pools.

Pool A contains Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Cook Islands. The top two from this group qualify for the semi-finals.

The teams in Pool B (England, Samoa, Lebanon) play the teams in Pool C (Tonga, PNG, France) with the top two on a combined group table qualifying for the semi-finals.

The winner of Pool A takes on the runner-up from Pool B&C in Sydney.

The winner of Pool B&C takes on the runner-up from Pool A in Newcastle.

The world cup final is in Brisbane on 15 November.

The group phase will take place over the following three weekends. After tonight, remaining matches will be staged only on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

The fourth weekend will feature the semi-finals, with the final wrapping up proceedings the following Sunday.

10 locations will host matches. Eight of these are in Australia: Sydney (Allianz Arena), Sydney (Commbank Arena), Brisbane, Newcastle, Gold Coast, Townsville, Wollongong, and Perth; while Port Moresby will host two Papua New Guinea matches, and Christchurch will stage one New Zealand fixture.