6:25 PM BST First half tries by scrum-half Cobus Reinach and wing Aphelele Fassi led much-changed South Africa to a scrappy 32-12 victory over Argentina on their return to the Rugby Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay on Saturday. The Springboks rested the majority of the side that beat the British & Irish Lions in their
Rugby
Aug 14, 2021 A match that at halftime looked like it could be a turning point for this young Wallabies team was quickly engulfed by a black wave started by a piece of Aaron Smith brilliance that has only reinforced just how wide the trans-Tasman margin remains. New Zealand’s Bledisloe dominance on Saturday night edged
10:02 AM BST Hooker Codie Taylor scored two tries as the All Blacks overwhelmed Australia 57-22 in Auckland on Saturday to make a winning start to the Rugby Championship and ensure the Bledisloe Cup stays in New Zealand for a 19th straight season. Rieko Ioane, Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan and David
6:59 AM BST Game I of the Bledisloe Cup is in the books and yet again it is the All Blacks with one hand on the trophy. After last week’s 33-25 victory in Auckland, New Zealand return to Eden Park knowing a win will secure the trophy for a 19th straight year. Can the Wallabies
1:11 AM BST ESPN staff Crusaders flyer Will Jordan has been handed a start in Bledisloe II at Eden Park on Saturday night. Jordan is one of two changes to New Zealand’s backline, with Rieko Ioane shifting from the wing to outside centre at the expense of Anton Lienert-Brown. Jordan’s inclusion on the right wing
8:15 AM BST Liam Napier Style versus substance. Or, more to the point, why not have both? The recently-completed British & Irish Lions series, won 2-1 by the Springboks, was a bore. There’s no other way to say it. Sir Graham Henry described the series as a tough watch; All Blacks coach Ian Foster said
7:26 AM BST After a one-off Tri Nations tournament last year, the Rugby Championship is back to decide southern hemisphere rugby supremacy in 2021. Fresh off their 2-1 series defeat of the British & Irish Lions, the Springboks will rejoin the All Blacks, Wallabies and Pumas after South Africa opted out of last year’s tournament
2:33 PM BST South Africa made 10 changes to their side to kick-off the Rugby Championship against Argentina in Nelson Mandela Bay on Saturday, with hooker Joseph Dweba to debut and players who did not feature against the British & Irish Lions given a run. Coach Jacques Nienaber says they do not mean to disrespect
10:38 AM BST The decision to launch a female British & Irish Lions touring team will be made before the end of the year, Lions’ chief executive Ben Calveley has said. A feasibility study is underway to address the financial and logistical hurdles that exist within the women’s game and to look into the viability
6:22 AM BST All is seemingly forgiven with the Wallabies set to welcome back sinning superstar Marika Koroibete for Saturday’s do-or-die Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks in Auckland. Dropped alongside forwards Isi Naisarani and Pone Fa’amausili for a late-night drinking session, Koroibete is likely to be rushed straight back into Australia’s starting line-up