Rugby

Jul 8, 2024, 02:03 PM Open Extended Reactions There were plenty of expectations ahead of last weekend’s fixtures, and the games didn’t disappoint. England and New Zealand delivered an edge of the seat tussle in Dunedin, while Australia got the victory they needed to banish the memory of their woeful World Cup campaign. Joe Schmidt’s

Sam Bruce, Deputy Editor, espn.com.auJul 10, 2024, 09:18 AM Close Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPN after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia’s digital rugby coverage. Open Extended Reactions

Jul 10, 2024, 09:33 AM Open Extended Reactions South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus named the same match-day 23 for the second Test against Ireland in Durban on Saturday, making it the most experienced Springbok selection chosen in the 133-year history of the team. Erasmus made no changes to his starting XV from the side who

Jul 9, 2024, 10:02 AM Oscar Jegou plays for Stade Rochelais in France as back row. Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images France rugby players Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou have been arrested in Argentina following an allegation of sexual assault during their tour of South America, French Rugby Federation (FFR) President Florian Grill said

Jul 8, 2024, 08:03 AM Melvyn Jaminet plays as a fullback for Top 14 club Toulon and the France national team. Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images France fullback Melvyn Jaminet has been suspended from the national team after posting a video on social media with a racist comment, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) said on Sunday. The

Sam Bruce, Deputy Editor, espn.com.auJul 8, 2024, 12:44 AM Close Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPN after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia’s digital rugby coverage. Open Extended Reactions

Jul 7, 2024, 08:57 AM Open Extended Reactions Ireland coach Andy Farrell would not be drawn on the television match official calls that went against his side in their 27-20 loss against South Africa on Saturday, but said his team was off the pace at the start of the game. Ireland had a try by

Sam Bruce, Deputy Editor, espn.com.auJul 6, 2024, 02:28 PM Close Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPN after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia’s digital rugby coverage. Open Extended Reactions

Jul 2, 2024, 05:41 PM Tom Wright scored a fantastic try for Australia. DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images Australia coach Joe Schmidt kicked off his tenure in charge with a 25-16 win over Wales in Sydney on Saturday, their first win over a tier one nation since they beat the Welsh in Cardiff in late 2022.

Jul 2, 2024, 05:37 PM England fell agonisingly short of a famous victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand on Saturday, losing 16-15 in Dunedin. There was a whiff of an upset in the air under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium as Steve Borthwick’s England went toe-to-toe with the World Cup finalists and

Jul 5, 2024, 10:24 AM Open Extended Reactions England captain Jamie George has challenged his players to make a strong impression on their New Zealand counterparts after winger Sevu Reece said he did not know much about the touring side. The teams meet on Saturday’s series-opener in Dunedin for their first Test since a 25-25

Open Extended Reactions First-year All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has handed the No. 15 jersey to Stephen Perofeta ahead of Beauden Barrett for the opening Test against England in Dunedin. Robertson has otherwise named a predictable line-up, with TJ Perenara set to play his first Test since 2022 after beating out Finlay Christie at scrum-half.

Jul 2, 2024, 02:00 AM Open Extended Reactions The two rugby hemispheres are back together for the first time since the Rugby World Cup, with a bumper Test calendar set to play out across the globe in July. World champions South Africa welcome Ireland to the Republic for a showdown that has already had quite

Sam Bruce, Deputy Editor, espn.com.auJul 1, 2024, 05:38 AM Close Sam was brought up on long drives and the dusty fields of north-west New South Wales, where he developed his love of rugby from an early age. He joined ESPN after a five-year stint heading up Fox Sports Australia’s digital rugby coverage. Open Extended Reactions

Jun 30, 2024, 11:16 PM Open Extended Reactions Scans on Kurtley Beale are expected to confirm the recalled Wallabies veteran has ruptured his Achilles, possibly bringing an end to his rugby career. The 35-year-old, who was last week announced in Joe Schmidt’s maiden 38-man squad, was helped from the field during a Sydney club rugby

Jun 27, 2024, 09:59 AM Open Extended Reactions Michael Chieka has joined Premiership Rugby club Leicester Tigers as head coach. Photo by David Ramos – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images Leicester Tigers have appointed Michael Cheika as their new head coach ahead of the 2024-25 season, the Premiership Rugby club announced on Thursday. The 57-year-old

Jun 27, 2024, 02:11 AM Open Extended Reactions Siya Kolisi will captain South Africa in their two-Test series against Ireland in July, while key backline players Willie le Roux and Cheslin Kolbe will be fit to play, coach Rassie Erasmus said on Wednesday. Erasmus had been reluctant to name a captain ahead of the series

Jun 25, 2024, 11:50 PM Open Extended Reactions Anticipation reached fever pitch as Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson unveiled his maiden All Blacks squad in Christchurch this week. A tight 32-man group for three Tests in July – two against England – sparked highly contestable selections which, as always, divided opinion. Liam Napier breaks down the contentious