SportsCatch

Petaia ends two-year Wallabies exile as Kiss reshuffles squad to face Springboks

Jordan Petaia has been recalled to the Wallabies squad for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, joining Force fly-half Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and prop Zane Nonggorr as Les Kiss makes three changes ahead of the Springboks clash in Perth on 27 September.

Rugby Sep 14

All Blacks assistant Barnes fumes over Moorby tackle that sparked Springboks' series-sealing try

New Zealand assistant coach Neil Barnes has hit out at a series of refereeing decisions in Baltimore, arguing a missed call on Josh Moorby directly led to Kurt-Lee Arendse's 60-metre try that killed off the All Blacks' comeback from 29-21 down.

Rugby Sep 14

All Blacks assistant accuses SuperSport director of skewing replays against New Zealand in series defeat

Neil Barnes, assistant coach of the All Blacks, has alleged that South Africa's host broadcaster SuperSport showed referees footage that differed from what officials requested, and withheld equivalent replays favourable to New Zealand. The Springboks won the Greatest Rivalry Series 3-1, sealing the finale 43-28 in Baltimore.

Rugby Sep 14

Barnes hails 'world-class' Mo'unga after first All Blacks start since 2023 World Cup Final

All Blacks assistant coach Neil Barnes praised Richie Mo'unga following his first Test start since the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final defeat to South Africa, saying the returning fly-half did nothing wrong and adds crucial depth ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Rugby Sep 13

Rennie confirms Scott Barrett closing in on All Blacks return for Bledisloe Cup

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie says former captain Scott Barrett should be fit for October's Bledisloe Cup Tests against Australia, though skipper Ardie Savea and vice-captain Luke Jacobson are set to miss both fixtures.

Rugby Sep 13

Gilmore credits improved preparation as Harlequins open season with perfect 10 points

Harlequins lead Group B of the PREM Rugby Cup with maximum points after bonus-point victories over Leicester (45-21) and Northampton (29-14), with interim-turned-permanent head coach Jason Gilmore pointing to sharper week-to-week standards as the driving force.

Rugby Sep 13

Wallaroos captain defiant after 48-15 loss: 'Against England, we can actually give it'

Australia led England 10-5 at half-time of their WXV Global Series 2026 opener in Salford before the Red Roses pulled clear with seven second-half tries. Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu said the scoreline did not reflect her side's performance.

Rugby Sep 13

Springboks reach record 95-point ranking high after dismantling All Blacks 43-28 in Baltimore

South Africa's emphatic 43-28 win over New Zealand in Baltimore sealed a 3-1 series victory and pushed the Springboks to an all-time high of 95.09 World Rugby ranking points — surpassing even their three Rugby World Cup-winning peaks.

Rugby Sep 13

USA Eagles draw lessons from 63-14 Pacific Nations Cup semi-final rout by Japan

Japan ran in nine tries to dismantle the USA 63-14 in the Pacific Nations Cup semi-final at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, with the Brave Blossoms racing to a 28-0 lead inside 16 minutes. Eagles coach Scott Lawrence acknowledged his side were "well beaten" but praised younger players for their resilience.

Rugby Sep 13

Rennie admits All Blacks breakdown discipline 'not good enough' after 43-28 loss to Springboks

Head coach Dave Rennie conceded the All Blacks handed South Africa easy possession through sloppy breakdown penalties in Baltimore, despite praising an improved set-piece in the 43-28 defeat.

Rugby Sep 13

Mo'unga hails 'complete' Springboks as better than 2023 World Cup winners after series defeat

Richie Mo'unga returned from a 1,050-day Test absence only to watch South Africa seal a 3-1 Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series win with a 43-28 victory in Baltimore, prompting the All Blacks playmaker to declare the 2026 Springboks an even stronger side than the team that beat New Zealand in the World Cup final.

Rugby Sep 13

Erasmus credits Arendse's second-half surge as pivotal in Springboks' 43-28 rout of All Blacks

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus singled out winger Kurt-Lee Arendse as the turning point in the Springboks' 43-28 victory over New Zealand at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, the fourth instalment of rugby's greatest rivalry.

Rugby Sep 13

Rennie finds silver linings after All Blacks fall to 3-1 series defeat against Springboks

Dave Rennie acknowledged a disappointing 3-1 series loss to the Springboks but pointed to 17 tries scored across the four Tests as evidence of genuine attacking progress for the All Blacks.

Rugby Sep 13

Malcolm urges Scotland to use 64-26 Canada defeat as benchmark for WXV growth

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm called Saturday's heavy 64-26 WXV Global Series loss to Canada at the Hive Stadium a "benchmark" after Dave Butcher's side were outpowered by the Women's Rugby World Cup finalists despite scoring four tries.

Rugby Sep 12

Mo Hunt eyes inaugural Women's Lions tour after returning from knee injury at 37

England scrum-half Natasha 'Mo' Hunt is set to return from knee ligament damage in England's WXV Global Series opener against Australia, with the 89-cap veteran already targeting a place on the inaugural British & Irish Lions Women's tour to New Zealand in 2027.

Rugby Sep 12

Japan demolish USA 63-14 to reach home Pacific Nations Cup Final against Fiji

Japan secured a place in the Pacific Nations Cup Final with a commanding 63-14 victory over the USA at Osaka's Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Saturday. The Brave Blossoms will now face defending champions Fiji for the title in Tokyo.

Rugby Sep 12

Kolisi silences Springbok critics ahead of All Blacks series decider in Baltimore

Siya Kolisi has brushed aside criticism of South Africa's style of play ahead of Saturday's fourth Test against the All Blacks at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, where the Springboks can seal the series with a win or draw from their current 2-1 lead.

Rugby Sep 12

Fiji power past Canada 45-29 to reach third straight Pacific Nations Cup final

The Flying Fijians secured their place in another Pacific Nations Cup decider with a 45-29 semi-final victory over Canada at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka, continuing their bid for a third consecutive title.

Rugby Sep 12

Salawa's 30-second charge-down try gives Fiji a flying start against Canada in PNC semi-final

Blindside flanker Kitione Salawa scored inside 30 seconds as Fiji raced to a 26-17 half-time lead over Canada in their Pacific Nations Cup semi-final at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka.

Rugby Sep 12

Malcolm vows to rebuild Scotland's defensive identity after soul-crushing Six Nations collapse

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm has admitted her side lost their identity during the 2026 Women's Six Nations, conceding 267 points in five games. The 35-year-old back-row is now targeting a return to form as Scotland open their WXV Global Series campaign against Canada.

Rugby Sep 11