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Misdiagnosed hamstring ended Jordan Petaia's NFL dream, Wallabies back reveals
Jordan Petaia has explained how a misdiagnosed hamstring injury derailed his stint with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025, forcing the Wallabies back to abandon his NFL ambitions just four months after signing a three-year deal.
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Former NFL linebacker Cassh Maluia earns USA Eagles debut in defeat to Canada
Cassh Maluia, a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft who played for the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans, started at inside centre for the USA Eagles in a 16-19 loss to Canada in Tokyo.
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Sole survivor Tupou leads rank-outsider Steelers into Ranfurly Shield challenge against Northland
Counties Manukau captain Jimmy Tupou, 34, is the only player remaining from the Steelers' solitary Ranfurly Shield reign in 2013. His side travel to Whangarei on Saturday as heavy underdogs against a Northland team sitting top of the NPC table with a 6-2 record.
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Correa and Mwayembe banned after red cards in France's narrow win over Australia
France's Cloé Correa and Ambre Mwayembe have received bans following their red cards in the WXV Global Series 2026 match against Australia in Aix-en-Provence, which France won 29-26 despite being reduced to 11 players at one stage.
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Hepburn eyes Scotland RWC 2027 spot after Edinburgh move: 'It'd be naive to think it's not a big carrot'
Former England prop Alec Hepburn has joined Edinburgh hoping proximity to Gregor Townsend's setup gives him the best chance of making Scotland's 2027 Rugby World Cup squad. The 33-year-old has earned just five Scotland caps since switching allegiances in 2024.
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Tuipulotu's two-try audition puts Lions Women spot at top of her agenda
Sisilia Tuipulotu scored twice as Wales opened their WXV Global Series campaign with a 50-19 win over the Springbok Women at Cardiff Arms Park — unaware that British & Irish Lions Women coach Jo Yapp was watching from the stands.
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Springbok Women vow to redeem themselves after heavy 50-19 defeat to Wales
South Africa's women were beaten 50-19 by Wales in their WXV Global Series 2026 opener, leaving the squad frustrated and determined to respond against Italy this weekend.
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Zebo backs Leinster for third straight URC title but warns Munster faces a tough start without Crowley
Simon Zebo has named Leinster as URC favourites to complete a hat-trick of titles under outgoing coach Leo Cullen, while cautioning that Munster face a difficult opening run of fixtures without injured fly-half Jack Crowley.
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Sale's Sanderson reveals 'extremely stressful' battle to retain Curry twins and key stars
Alex Sanderson has described the pressure of simultaneously recruiting nine new players and fighting to keep Sale Sharks' core group, including the Curry twins and Bevan Rodd, beyond next summer.
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Stormers sign Andre Warner on short-term deal to ease scrum-half injury crisis
The Stormers have signed experienced scrum-half Andre Warner from Seattle Seawolves on a short-term deal, their second No.9 signing in two days, as injuries to Imad Khan and Cobus Reinach's Springbok commitments left the Cape Town side dangerously thin ahead of the new URC season.
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Manusina Samoa embrace new era at WXV Global Series Challenger with World Cup in sight
Despite back-to-back losses in the opening two rounds of the WXV Global Series Challenger, Samoa's players say team cohesion is growing under new head coach Bella Milo, with 2026 World Cup qualifiers firmly in mind.
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Italy target Springbok Women rematch after WXV rout of Japan reignites World Cup grudge
Italy crushed Japan 55-21 in their WXV Global Series opener, setting up a charged rematch with South Africa — the side that knocked them out of Women's Rugby World Cup 2025. Sara Mannini says the squad is determined to settle the score.
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Dewi Lake named Gloucester captain for 2026/27 after Tomos Williams' exit to Saracens
Gloucester have appointed Welsh hooker Dewi Lake as club captain for the 2026/27 season, replacing compatriot Tomos Williams, who departed for Saracens. Lake, who has led Wales in 22 of his 36 Tests, will be supported by vice-captains Seb Atkinson and Jac Morgan.
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Baxter reveals Exeter will open Henry Slade contract talks within weeks
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has confirmed he will sit down with England centre Henry Slade within the coming weeks to discuss activating the second year of his current deal, citing family ties, an enhanced England contract, and strong current form as factors in his favour.
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Willis shortlisted to retain Top 14 Player of the Year in bid to match Dupont feat
Jack Willis has been nominated for the Top 14 Player of the Season award for a second consecutive year. Victory at the Nuit du Rugby ceremony on 28 September would make the Toulouse flanker only the second player ever to retain the honour, after Antoine Dupont.
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Henry Pollock signs multi-year deal to stay at boyhood club Northampton
Henry Pollock has committed his future to Northampton Saints on a new multi-year contract, ending months of speculation over the 21-year-old England and Lions back-rower's next move.
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Wallabies assistant Donnelly warns Springboks intensity will mirror 2027 World Cup pressure
Australia assistant coach Tom Donnelly has drawn a direct line between the Springboks' relentless pressure and what the Wallabies can expect at Rugby World Cup 2027, as the world champions arrive in Australia for a two-Test series.
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Former All Blacks back injured Scott Barrett to reclaim starting spot ahead of Bledisloe Cup
Scott Barrett has not played in 2026 after a back injury cut short his Crusaders return from sabbatical, but former All Blacks Jeff Wilson and Mils Muliaina believe the 89-Test lock walks straight back into Dave Rennie's squad for the Bledisloe Cup opener at Eden Park on 10 October.
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Tupou warns Wallabies know exactly what Springboks will bring to Perth scrum battle
Taniela Tupou says Australia's five-match unbeaten run will face its sternest test when the world-champion Springboks arrive in Perth, with the tighthead prop flagging South Africa's set-piece dominance as the key battleground.
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NZR summit document reveals radical plan to scrap Super Rugby and NPC in favour of new national competition
A leaked New Zealand Rugby document circulated ahead of Thursday's Wellington summit outlines three options for restructuring men's domestic rugby, including replacing Super Rugby Pacific and the NPC with a single 8-10 team national competition as early as 2028.
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