12:41 AM BST Liam Napier By the end of July, after three Tests against Pacific Island opposition, the All Blacks projected widespread satisfaction with their start to the season. All Blacks coach Ian Foster rotated all but one of his 36-man squad – 21-year-old Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa’i not used – to build depth and
Rugby
8:35 PM BST All three tests between world champions South Africa and the British & Irish Lions will be played in Cape Town, officials confirmed on Tuesday, wary that the risks associated of a return to the altitude of the Highveld are too great. The second and third tests in the series were due to
1:43 PM BST South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and winger Makazole Mapimpi have been named in the starting line-up for the first test against the British & Irish Lions after recovering from COVID-19. Kolisi, Mapimpi and prop Ox Nche were the last group of players to report for duty at the Springbok camp in Cape
11:33 AM BST The British and Irish Lions coaching staff held a “robust” selection meeting on Sunday, but defence coach Steve Tandy said there are decisions still to be made ahead of the first test against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday. With fly-half Finn Russell set to miss the series opener due to
3:02 AM BST As the Wallabies prepare to fight Marika Koroibete’s high tackle charge at a judiciary hearing, fly-half Noah Lolesio has opened up on the game plan that allowed Australia to run down France and the penalty that secured the 2-1 series win, describing the latter as a “dead duck”. The Wallabies got back
1:40 PM BST South Africa have received a significant boost ahead of the first test against the British & Irish Lions after hookers Bongi Mbonambi and Scarra Ntubeni, as well as loose forward Dan du Preez, returned to training on Sunday. The trio had been in self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, but have now
8:21 PM BST British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has confirmed that Alun Wyn Jones has been reinstated as tour captain after a successful return following a dislocated shoulder. Jones played 30 minutes as a replacement in Saturday’s 49-3 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town, a final warm-up game before the Test series
7:16 PM BST Scrum-half Ali Price impressed for the British & Irish Lions and put his hand up for Test selection in a comfortable seven-try 49-3 victory over the Stormers on Saturday, as Alun Wyn Jones returned to the team with 30 minutes off the bench. It was another slow start for the Lions in
5:31 PM BST Argentina fly-half Nicolas Sanchez kicked over 18 points as they beat Wales 33-11 in the second Test at the Principality Stadium on Saturday to clinch the series after last week’s 20-20 draw. Argentina outscored Wales three tries to one with Sanchez contributing four penalties and three conversions to prove the difference in
4:50 PM BST South Africa A were handed a 17-14 defeat by the Bulls on Saturday as the majority of the Springbok’s fringe players got a much-needed run out but failed to impress before next weekend’s first test against the British & Irish Lions. First half tries from Aphelele Fassi and Wandisile Simelane had the