Australian veteran Matt Giteau kicked 13 points as the Los Angeles Giltinis ended their first season by beating Atlanta 31-17 to win US Major League Rugby title. Giteau, who is 38 and won 103 Wallaby caps, indicated that Sunday’s victory in front 7,000 fans in the Los Angeles Coliseum might be his final game. “What […]
RUGBYU
Third Test ‘a cup final’, says Gatland after Springboks turnaround
British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland believes next Saturday’s third and final Test against the Springboks will be “a cup final”. Speaking after the Springboks levelled the series with a 27-9 win in Cape Town on Saturday, Gatland admitted his team had been outplayed in the second half, when they conceded 21 points without […]
World Rugby hope for Japan tournament news this year – Gilpin
World Rugby considers Japan to be at “rugby’s top table” and are hoping for news later this year on which tournament the top Asian nation will slot into after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, according to chief executive officer Alan Gilpin. Japan have shown interest in being included in the Rugby Championship, the southern hemisphere’s […]
All Blacks improving but not there yet, says Foster
New Zealand coach Ian Foster declared himself satisfied with the shape of the All Blacks after three shakedown Tests, but said they needed to improve further before facing stronger challenges ahead. With the All Blacks having set a goal of regaining the number one world ranking this year, Foster said the aim of the season-opening […]
World Rugby introduces independent head injury panel for Tests
World Rugby announced on Wednesday the introduction of an independent panel to oversee Test players’ returns to action after suffering head injuries. The six Independent Concussion Consultants (ICC) will have to be used by team doctors if a player has a confirmed concussion and is expected to return to the field before or on the […]
Gatland makes 12 changes and predicts ‘toughest encounter’
British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has made 12 changes for a match against South Africa A on Wednesday, which he believes will be the toughest so far on tour. Only full-back Anthony Watson, outside centre Chris Harris and fly-half Dan Biggar are retained from the team that eventually overwhelmed the Sharks by 40 […]
Ireland’s Kelleher ‘stakes a claim’ after quadruple in USA rout
Hooker Ronan Kelleher said he has “staked a claim” for a starting Ireland shirt after scoring four tries in Saturday’s 71-10 win over the United States at the Aviva Stadium. Kelleher crossed twice either side of the break as the hosts dominated with 10 efforts against the country ranked 16th in the world. The 23-year-old […]
Coronavirus forces Springboks to delay team selection for Georgia
South Africa on Tuesday postponed naming the team to play Georgia this weekend after the 44-strong squad were placed in self isolation when lock Lood de Jager tested positive for coronavirus. “Media are advised that the Springbok team announcement scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed until further notice,” a South African Rugby statement said. “The […]
O’Connor ruled out but To’omua starts for Wallabies against France
Veteran Australia back James O’Connor was on Monday ruled out of the first Test against a depleted France, but Wallabies playmaker Matt To’omua was declared fit after a neck injury. O’Connor had been racing the clock to get over a groin strain in time for Wednesday’s clash in Brisbane, but failed to make the grade. […]
Debutant Fassi scores as world champion Springboks make winning return
Debutant Aphelele Fassi scored as world champions South Africa hammered Georgia 40-9 in Pretoria on Friday as they returned to international rugby after a 20-month coronavirus pandemic-induced exile. Playing for the first time since defeating England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final in Japan, the Springboks were slow out of the blocks and trailed […]