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Wilson, Muliaina and Donald name three players forcing their way into Rennie's first All Blacks squad
With Dave Rennie's maiden All Blacks squad set to be named on June 22, former internationals Jeff Wilson, Mils Muliaina and Stephen Donald have each identified a player timing their run to perfection — Du'Plessis Kirifi, Simon Parker and Leroy Carter.
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Blitzboks survive Bordeaux elimination scare to seal back-to-back SVNS World Championship
South Africa claimed the 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championship title in Bordeaux despite losing to both Great Britain and Fiji in the group stage, relying on a New Zealand result to survive. Van Wyk and Brits led the emotional celebrations as the Blitzboks retained their crown.
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Harry McLaughlin-Phillips among five released as Queensland Reds reshape their squad
Queensland Reds have confirmed the departure of five players, including promising 22-year-old fly-half Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, who leaves after a career-best Super Rugby Pacific season. Former All Blacks prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen is also among those farewelled.
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Roigard defends quick-tap after Barrett collision sends Hurricanes to Super Rugby final
Cameron Roigard has pushed back at online criticism over his quick-tap following an aerial collision with Beauden Barrett, insisting he was not milking the incident. The Hurricanes halfback was central to their 57-21 demolition of the Blues, securing the club's first Super Rugby Pacific final appearance since 2016.
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Black Ferns Sevens captain breaks silence after Australia snatch SVNS title in Bordeaux
Risi Pouri-Lane says 'the hurt is real' after New Zealand's 26-19 defeat to Australia in the Bordeaux Cup Final, a winner-takes-all contest that handed the Aussies the 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championship despite the Black Ferns winning six of nine tournaments.
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Socceroos stun Turkiye 2-0 to open Women's World Cup campaign with disciplined counter-attacking display
Australia claimed a composed 2-0 victory over Turkiye in their World Cup Group D opener, with goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe rewarding a disciplined defensive gameplan executed to near perfection.
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Waratahs crush Brumbies 29-17 to preserve unbeaten record against domestic rivals
NSW Waratahs extended their perfect record against Australian domestic opposition with a commanding 29-17 win over the Brumbies at Viking Park, Canberra, with Wallaroos lock Kaitlan Leaney scoring twice in a dominant first half.
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German mathematician who called last three World Cups backs Netherlands to win in 2026
Joachim Klement, whose GDP-based algorithm correctly predicted Germany in 2014, France in 2018 and Argentina in 2022, has tipped the Netherlands to claim their first-ever World Cup title this summer, with England reaching the semi-finals before losing to Portugal.
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Kirifi backs Hurricanes to handle finals pressure despite near-total inexperience
Only one current Hurricanes player has appeared in a Super Rugby Pacific final, yet Du'Plessis Kirifi insists the squad has enough experience to handle the occasion as Wellington host their first grand final since their 2016 title triumph.
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Jacobson's dressing-room speech after defeat fuelled Chiefs' semi-final demolition of Crusaders
Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes has revealed that a post-defeat address by captain Luke Jacobson sparked the turnaround that sent Hamilton's side into a fourth consecutive Super Rugby Pacific final, where they will face the Hurricanes in Wellington.
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Cotter bids farewell to Blues after 52-21 Hurricanes semi-final defeat ends his tenure
Vern Cotter's three-year stint as Blues head coach ended in a 52-21 semi-final loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington, with the 64-year-old departing having won one Super Rugby Pacific title and reached two semi-finals. He will join the Queensland Reds next season.
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Baxter's half-time belief fuels Exeter's 16-point comeback to stun champions Bath
Exeter Chiefs overturned a 16-point half-time deficit to defeat Premiership champions Bath 27-26 at the Rec, with replacement prop Ethan Burger's 68th-minute try sealing a dramatic comeback and a place in the final against Northampton.
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Exeter Chiefs erase 16-point deficit to stun Bath and reach Premiership final
Exeter Chiefs overturned a 16-point half-time deficit to beat Bath 27-26 at the Recreation Ground, ending the champions' bid for back-to-back Premiership titles and booking a final against Northampton at Allianz Stadium.
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Pollock's 26-carry masterclass fires Northampton into Premiership final
Henry Pollock produced a remarkable 26-carry performance as Northampton defeated Leicester 45-31 in their Premiership semi-final at Franklin's Gardens, booking a place in the Allianz Stadium final. Head coach Phil Dowson praised the 21-year-old Lions back row's rapid maturity after a turbulent month.
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Waratahs stand by Henry O'Donnell after 18-month ban for ADHD medication violation
NSW Waratahs centre Henry O'Donnell has accepted an 18-month anti-doping ban after testing positive for substances linked to ADHD medication during a May 2024 in-competition test. Sports Integrity Australia found the violation was unintentional and unrelated to performance enhancement.
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Kirifi backs Hurricanes to handle Blues' kitchen-sink assault in Super Rugby semi-final
Hurricanes captain Du'Plessis Kirifi has dismissed concerns over the Blues' recent slump ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final in Wellington, warning his side expects a desperate challenge despite the hosts' dominant home record.
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Litchfield hat-trick fires Northampton past Leicester and into Premiership final
Tom Litchfield scored three first-half tries as Northampton Saints defeated Leicester Tigers 45-31 at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday, booking their place in the Gallagher Premiership final at Allianz Stadium next weekend.
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Ackermann handed three-match ban after red card mars Stormers' URC semi-final exit
Stormers No.8 Ruan Ackermann has been suspended for three matches after his red card in the 21-12 URC semi-final defeat to Leinster, ruling him out of the Currie Cup's opening rounds. A guilty plea and clean record halved the original six-week sanction.
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Leyds crowned World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in back-to-back title season for Blitzboks
Tristan Leyds became the first South African to win the World Rugby Men's Sevens Player of the Year award in a decade, claiming the honour in Bordeaux after helping the Blitzboks retain the SVNS World Championship.
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Ospreys sign Wallaby centre Foketi days after securing fellow international Wright
The Ospreys have confirmed the signing of Australia international Lalakai Foketi, their second Wallaby recruit in under a week. The experienced centre joins from the Chiefs, where he provided three try assists in their Super Rugby semi-final win over the Crusaders.
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