Rugby Union News
Australia edge Pumas 28-24 after thrilling finale to game in Townsville
Hosts rewarded for pushing for victory when draw was on table
The Wallabies have turned down three opportunities to kick a match-tying penalty and instead scored an 86th-minute winner in their latest Houdini Test act.
Australia beat Argentina 28-24 in Townsville on Saturday afternoon, with Angus Bell’s barging try coming after the Wallabies trailed by three points with 90 seconds to go.
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Continue reading...Flyhalf Tom Lynagh also returns; Nic White keeps place
James O’Connor to come off bench in Townsville on Saturday
Nic White’s retirement tour will continue in Townsville when the halfback partners returning Wallabies flyhalf Tom Lynagh and captain Harry Wilson against Argentina.
Andrew Kellaway has won the battle to fill the injured Tom Wright’s boots at fullback at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday in the other change to the side that lost narrowly in Cape Town a fortnight ago.
Continue reading...Wallabies captain Harry Wilson will return from a knee injury in Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in Townsville, while flyhalf Tom Lynagh has also been recalled after recovering from concussion.
A festival atmosphere in Sunderland, Salford and York may succeed in inspiring the next generation of England stars
The streets of Eccles have given little away on the face of it over the past two Saturdays. Local residents are going about their business, the nearby canal path is full of walkers and runners, and there is a slumberous Saturday morning feel: until you turn into the Salford Community Stadium.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup has made a strong start with decent crowds and good viewing figures. But there was a concerted effort to go beyond familiar territory in this tournament and lay down some roots in the north of England, too. The early signs suggest that may well have been achieved.
Continue reading...The wasteful Wallaroos were left to rue disciplinary errors after a dramatic 31-31 draw against the USA in the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Sunday morning AEST.
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Continue reading...Andrew Kellaway looms as a likely replacement for star Tom Wright, who suffered a devastating ACL injury in an “attritional” tour of South Africa after coach Joe Schmidt opted against drafting in another fullback for two Tests against Argentina.
An inspired Argentina played with greater discipline to upset New Zealand 29-23 in a bruising Rugby Championship Test on Sunday and record their first ever home win over the All Blacks.
It would be simplistic to say South Africa won this slugfest solely because of Pollard. But he did kick all six of his shots at goal
Handré Pollard doesn’t simply point to the poles. The South African metronome, his face stuck in a perpetual scowl, thrusts a meaty finger towards the uprights as if he owns them. “You’re mine,” he growls, with the promise that in just a few short seconds an oval ball will be spiralling through them courtesy of his swinging right boot.
If there’s such a thing as a Test match animal then it is Pollard, the only fly-half present at the final whistle of two victorious World Cup campaigns. And Test match animals win Test matches. Whatever transpires across 80 minutes is almost immaterial. All that matters is the result.
Continue reading...South Africa kept its title hopes alive after bouncing back from defeat a week ago with fly-half Handre Pollard producing a masterly kicking performance in a 30-22 win over Australia in their Rugby Championship match at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday morning.
Handre Pollard kicks 15 points as South Africa edge the arm wrestle in Cape Town.
Australia haven’t beaten South Africa in back-to-back games since 2015.
Tell you what, I think they’ll do it.
South Africa 30-22 Australia
Springboks avenge shock loss to Wallabies
Handré Pollard put in a commanding performance at fly-half as a more pragmatic South Africa beat Australia in their second Rugby Championship Test in Cape Town to reignite the defence of their title.
Australia stunned the world champions 38-22 in their competition opener in Johannesburg last Saturday as the hosts tried to play an expansive gameplan with ball in hand and were picked off. This time round they turned it into an aerial contest, marshalled superbly by Pollard, who kicked 15 points to go with tries by the wing Canan Moodie, the No 8 Kwagga Smith and the lock Eben Etzebeth.
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Continue reading...Winger starts as Australia bid for historic win in Cape Town
Rob Valetini and Tom Robertson also come in
Corey Toole will make his Test debut in one of three changes to the Wallabies starting side as they attempt to go back-to-back against the Springboks in South Africa for the first time since 1963.
The 25-year-old Paris Olympics sevens star will replace injured winger Dylan Pietsch for their Rugby Championship clash in Cape Town on Saturday night local time (Sunday 1.10am AEST).
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