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All Blacks attack coach Blair credits player freedom after France first-Test win
Mike Blair has reviewed New Zealand's attacking display in the first Nations Championship Test against France in Christchurch, praising the instinctive style that created numerous opportunities — while acknowledging the team still needs to sharpen its finishing and find better balance with the kicking game.
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Ex-Springboks coach Mallett slams Borthwick for benching Pollock in 45-21 Ellis Park defeat
Nick Mallett, the former Springboks head coach, has criticised Steve Borthwick for failing to start 21-year-old Henry Pollock against South Africa, arguing England's back row was weaker for it in a 45-21 loss at Ellis Park.
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Kane Jury makes seven changes as New Zealand U20 target perfect Pool B record against Italy
New Zealand U20 head coach Kane Jury has reshuffled his side for their Junior World Championship clash with Italy in Kutaisi, with Bay of Plenty halfback Charlie Sinton named captain and David Lewai replacing Haki Wisemen in the starting lineup.
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Smith brands England 'soft' after 45-21 mauling hands Boks fifth straight Test win
Fly-half Fin Smith admitted England were 'soft' in defence and missed too many tackles as South Africa ran out 45-21 winners at Ellis Park on Saturday, extending England's losing run to five consecutive Tests.
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Radradra and Hoyt ruled out of Nations Championship after Fiji's defeat to Wales
Fiji face a significant setback after Semi Radradra and Tim Hoyt both left the field injured during Saturday's 39-24 loss to Wales in Cardiff. Head coach Senirusi Seruvakula confirmed both players face at least six weeks on the sidelines.
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Wainwright savours Wales win at Cardiff City Stadium he never graced as a footballer
Aaron Wainwright reflected on a personal milestone as Wales beat Fiji 39-24 at Cardiff City Stadium — a ground he trained at as a Cardiff City academy player but was released before ever appearing in a competitive match.
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Townsend hails Scotland depth after five Lions sit out 47-38 win over Argentina
Scotland ran in seven tries to beat Argentina 47-38 in Córdoba without Finn Russell, Huw Jones, Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn, all of whom toured with the British and Irish Lions last summer. Head coach Gregor Townsend said the result underlined the squad's growing depth ahead of next week's test against world champions South Africa.
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Springboks fans booed the wrong England flanker in Ellis Park hostile reception for Pollock
South Africa's crowd spent a week targeting Henry Pollock ahead of England's 45-21 defeat in Johannesburg, but it was Bath flanker Guy Pepper who absorbed most of the jeering after supporters mistook him for their intended target.
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Munster sign Irish-qualified tighthead Kieran Brookes on two-year deal from Perpignan
Munster have completed the signing of 35-year-old tighthead prop Kieran Brookes on a two-year contract after his Perpignan deal was terminated early. The former England international brings extensive club experience to Clayton McMillan's front row.
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England sweat over Murley and Steward injuries ahead of Fiji clash after South Africa mauling
Steve Borthwick's England face a back-three injury crisis ahead of Saturday's Test against Fiji in Liverpool, with wing Cadan Murley and full-back Freddie Steward both doubts alongside the already-absent George Furbank, who underwent an emergency appendectomy in Johannesburg.
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Spain U20 Mateo Aragón banned seven matches for racially abusing France fly-half at Junior World Championship
Spain under-20 player Mateo Aragón has been handed a seven-match ban after an independent disciplinary committee upheld a citing for racist verbal abuse directed at France fly-half Luka Keletaona during the World Rugby Junior World Championship in Kutaisi on 2 July.
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Townsend credits painful Pumas collapse for Scotland's scintillating 47-38 revenge in Córdoba
Scotland ran in seven tries to defeat Argentina 47-38 in Córdoba, opening their Nations Championship campaign in style. Head coach Gregor Townsend said last autumn's humiliating home collapse against the same opposition had proved a turning point for the squad.
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Scotland climb to joint all-time high of fifth after record win over Argentina
Scotland's 47-38 victory over Argentina in Córdoba — their highest-ever score on Pumas soil — lifts them two places to fifth in the World Rugby Men's Rankings, equalling their all-time best and leapfrogging both Argentina and England.
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USA snatch Nations Cup opener 30-29 as Hilsenbeck's late penalty sinks Portugal
Chris Hilsenbeck's clutch 78th-minute penalty sealed a 30-29 victory for the USA over Portugal in the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup in Denver on Saturday, giving the hosts a confidence-building win 15 months out from Rugby World Cup 2027.
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Hilsenbeck's last-gasp penalty snatches USA a 30-29 thriller over Portugal in Nations Cup
Chris Hilsenbeck slotted a long-range penalty in the 78th minute to give the USA a dramatic 30-29 victory over Portugal in Denver, despite Manuel Cardoso Pinto scoring four tries for Os Lobos.
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Love impresses on All Blacks No.10 debut as New Zealand edge France 34-32
Ruben Love delivered a composed first start at fly-half for the All Blacks despite a second-minute yellow card, helping New Zealand overturn a 10-5 deficit to beat France 34-32, with coach Scott Rennie and captain Ardie Savea both praising the 25-year-old's performance.
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Schmidt backs Gordon and Donaldson despite narrow Nations Championship loss to Ireland
Joe Schmidt has praised fly-halves Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson following Australia's 33-31 Nations Championship defeat to Ireland in Sydney, insisting both playmakers contributed positively despite the narrow loss.
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Faiilagi and Tuitama each score twice as Manu Samoa demolish Hong Kong China 66-19
Manu Samoa ran in ten tries to crush Hong Kong China 66-19 at Estadio Nacional in Santiago in the World Rugby Nations Cup, with Super Rugby duo Miracle Faiilagi and Tuna Tuitama both crossing twice and AJ Alatimu contributing 21 points.
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Lakai flags 'soft' defensive lapses despite All Blacks edging France in Christchurch
Peter Lakai acknowledged New Zealand's defensive frailties after their two-point win over France in Christchurch, citing quick ruck play and middle-field tries as areas to address ahead of next week's Test.
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Erasmus flags four Springbok injury doubts after South Africa demolish England 45-21
Rassie Erasmus has raised concerns over Ox Nche, Andre Esterhuizen, Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth after South Africa's 45-21 Nations Championship win over England at Ellis Park, with Scotland visiting next weekend.
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