Australia got new coach Les Kiss off to a winning start on Saturday with a nail-biting 35-32 victory over Japan that was full of twists and turns in sweltering Osaka.
Japan 32-35 Australia: rugby union international – as it happened
Wallabies win first match under new coach Les Kiss
Amatosero red carded in the first half
“Deep care,” is the message from Les Kiss ahead of his first match in charge of Australia. He wants his team to care about every second, on and off the pitch, when they’re on national team duty.
The 2026 Test calendar is a patchwork quilt of matches scattered around the world as the the All Blacks and Springboks flex their financial muscles and teams begin preparations for next year’s World Cup.
Continue reading...Springboks and All Blacks flex financial muscles with ‘Greatest Rivalry’ tour
The throwback series rekindles memories of the past, but the focus is very much on realities of the modern game
Just in case you were unaware that the forthcoming series between South Africa and New Zealand, dubbed Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR), is a “tour like no other”, the Springboks have just unveiled a jersey to prove it. “A jersey like no other” to be worn four times and then consigned to history. Meanwhile, RGR kicks off amid a looming legal battle in South Africa over the series’ commercial identity and the unauthorised use of its branding. And you thought sporting romance was dead.
Enough of the cynicism though. The series promises to be a blockbuster. It is a throwback, with New Zealand’s men facing four matches against provincial sides, starting with the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday, as well as four Tests against the Springboks. The countries’ women’s sides also face each other in a one-off Test. The series has further allure in just how rare tours such as this are these days. Add in the fact that the rugby calendar is pretty much barren at the moment and a series between the two best sides on the planet is enough to quicken the pulse.
Continue reading...Argentina’s Albornoz given four-match ban for intimidating referee after England defeat
Incident occurred after Pumas were denied a late try
Albornoz’s ban begins against South Africa on Saturday
Tomás Albornoz, the Argentina fly-half, has been banned for four matches for intimidating the referee after the full-time whistle of England’s controversial victory against the Pumas last month.
Albornoz accepted allegations of misconduct at a disciplinary hearing, and that his behaviour was intimidatory. He will miss Argentina’s Test against South Africa on Saturday as well as their forthcoming double header with Australia and a Toulon fixture.
Continue reading...‘Very confident’: Huge Cleary contract call; Perth poised to sign two stars: Transfer Whispers
There is welcome news for the Panthers on two key players while the Bears have reportedly landed a crucial dual coup.
Waratahs spoil Fijian Drua party to claim third straight Super Rugby Women’s title
Fijian Drua 17-34 NSW Waratahs as grand final held in Fiji for first time
Tahs forward Faliki Pohiva named player of match
NSW Waratahs have produced a scintillating performance to complete a hat-trick of Super W rugby titles with a 34-17 win over minor premiers Fijian Drua in Ba, Fiji.
The Tahs also secured a record-extending seventh Super W title, with their tighthead prop Faliki Pohiva named player of the final.
Continue reading...Sports quiz of the week: Rodri, Kevin Keegan, Women’s Afcon and Tyson Fury
Have you been following the big news in football, cricket, rugby union, golf, boxing and athletics?
Continue reading...Rugby players seek new lawyers for brain injury cases against governing bodies
Richard Boardman was criticised by the managing judge
Players want ‘firm with resources and specialist expertise’
Hundreds of former rugby league and rugby union players taking legal action against the game’s governing bodies are now “staring into the precipice”, according to the barrister representing the claimants, Susan Rodway KC.
Richard Boardman, the solicitor who has been the organising force behind the litigation, has requested formally to come off the record after his handling of the case was criticised by the managing judge, Senior Master Cook. The case may now be taken over by Leigh Day, who has been working on it as consultants since February.
Continue reading...Rugby’s landmark concussion case enters crucial week: the key questions answered
The outcome of this week’s hearings could determine the entire direction of the case – we explain the current state of play
It has been nearly six years since the Guardian first reported that a group of former rugby union players were bringing legal action against the game’s governing authorities because they were enduring brain injuries which they believe were caused by their playing careers. There are now two separate cases, one in rugby league and one in rugby union, involving hundreds of former amateur and professional players.
The two cases are being heard together because they have so many overlapping issues. They are both still in the pre-trial phase, as the legal teams try to agree on exactly what the size, shape and structure of the trials ought to be when they finally start.
Continue reading...Argentina 24-31 England: Nations Championship rugby – as it happened
England survive a chaotic TMO ending to win in Santiago
4 mins. On the next attack Fin Smith floats a beautiful kick towards Freeman’s wing who soars above Carreras to claim it and score.
Who had four minutes on a fight breaking out? Because immediately after the touchdown there’s some afters that Freeman takes exception to which Chessum runs a full 15 metres towards to get involved with.
Continue reading...South Africa 43-0 Wales: Nations Championship Rugby – as it happened
South Africa overpowered Wales in Durban thrashing
9 mins. A few minutes are taken up with the setting of a Wales scrum that goes to ground once, then brings a penalty for the Boks against Dillon Lewis for losing his feet under pressure. The lineout for the home team is wasted as Moyo encroaches the lineout too early.
5 mins. The crowd springs to life for the first time as Fassi steps off his left foot, leaving Edwards standing, to run 15 metres into the Wales half. Two phases later, after a strong run from De Allende, Wiese crashes through some poor tackling in the 22 on a short angle to rumble over.
Continue reading...Schmidt leaves repaired Wallabies with gifts of Canham and Lonergan for Kiss | Daniel Gallan
Australia’s lack of forwards remains a problem, but the departing coach raised the ceiling and left a deeper and more experienced group.
Australia ended the Joe Schmidt era like a struggling restaurant producing one of its finest meals on the night the head chef handed back his keys. Everything came together: the service was sharp, the ingredients were handled with care, but loyal patrons left wondering why the place could not function like this every week.
Italy were swept aside 57-10 in Perth on Saturday. Josh Canham completed a hat-trick as the home side produced the sort of precise, powerful performance that offered a tribute to their departing coach and a reminder of why his spell has been so difficult to judge.
Continue reading...THAT’S better! Slick Wallabies blitz stuns rival, snaps horror streak in coach’s final Test
Australia snapped a six-match losing streak after dismantling a depleted Italy 57-10 in the Nations Championship on Saturday, ensuring coach Joe Schmidt ended his unsuccessful tenure on a winning note.
Australia 57-10 Italy: Nations Championship rugby union international – as it happened
Wallabies send off coach Joe Schmidt in style in Perth
Josh Canham leads nine-try rout with hat-trick
Despite Australian rugby’s struggles, tonight’s match is a sell out, the sixth in a row for the Wallabies.
Referee: Paris-born Englishman Christophe Ridley.
Continue reading...Farrell rues Ireland errors as All Blacks extend unbeaten streak at Eden Park
New Zealand 40-21 Ireland
Hosts unbeaten in 32 years at Auckland venue
Andy Farrell rued an error-strewn display after Ireland suffered a 40-21 defeat to New Zealand in round three of the Nations Championship.
The All Blacks scored four first-half tries through Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan and Asafo Aumua en route to stretching their remarkable unbeaten run at Eden Park to 53 Tests. Jack Conan crossed for Ireland in a punishing first half before Joe McCarthy and Hugo Keenan went over in an improved second period, with Sam Prendergast slotting all three conversions.
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