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☆ Australia reform drive gets NSW backing, other states sceptical
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The reforms will push Australia closer to the centralised models of New Zealand and Ireland, where provinces answer to the national body on high performance decisions affecting test rugby. On Tuesday, RA said the New South Wales Waratahs and the NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) had become Australia's first Super Rugby club and member union to formally commit to the integration plan. However, other member unions have pushed back on handing over commercial control. No Australian team has won a Super Rugby title since the Waratahs in 2014. RA have yet to decide who will run the integrated high performance programme or take over the Wallabies from Jones.

Persons: Phil Waugh, Waugh, Eddie Jones, Jones, Ian Ransom, Peter Rutherford Organizations: MELBOURNE, Rugby Australia, Wallabies, New South Wales Waratahs, NSW Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Waratahs, Australian Capital Territory Rugby Union, Brumbies, Rugby, Irish Lions, Thomson Locations: New South Wales, NSW, Australia, Zealand, Ireland, Sydney, rugby, France, Melbourne

☆ New Zealand PM praises resilient All Blacks despite World Cup final loss
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 29 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins praised the All Blacks for their resilience and determination despite seeing Ian Foster's side slip to a narrow defeat against South Africa in the final of the Rugby World Cup in Paris on Saturday. "It's been incredible to see the team bounce back from that tough opening game against France and set the tournament alight. "New Zealand looks forward to welcoming the team home and celebrating their achievements." The All Blacks reached the final to defy lowly pre-tournament expectations, after a first-ever home series loss to Ireland and defeats against South Africa and Argentina in the Rugby Championship last year. "It's been an incredible seven weeks of rugby and the team has done New Zealand proud.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Ian Foster's, Sam Cane's, Hipkins, It's, Ian Foster, Sam Cane, Grant Robertson, Michael Church, William Mallard Organizations: Zealand, Blacks, South, Rugby, . New Zealand, All Blacks, France, Rugby Championship, New Zealand, Springboks, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Paris, ., Japan, Argentina, France, New Zealand, Zealand

☆ Ardie Savea named best rugby player of the year
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Final - New Zealand v South Africa - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 28, 2023 New Zealand's Ardie Savea in action with South Africa's Jean Kleyn REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 29 (Reuters) - New Zealand loose forward Ardie Savea was named World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year on Sunday, despite ending up on the losing side in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final. Savea was chosen ahead of Irish centre Bundee Aki, South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth and France captain Antoine Dupont, who won the award two years ago. Savea is the 11th All Black to win the award, which was first introduced in 2001. His award comes after a stellar season in which he helped New Zealand to win the Rugby Championship and a place in the World Cup final, which they lost 12-11 to the Springboks on Saturday. Ireland’s Andy Farrell was chosen as World Rugby Coach of the Year while All Blacks winger Mark Tele'a won the award for Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Persons: Denis, Africa's Jean Kleyn REUTERS, Sarah Meyssonnier, Savea, Bundee Aki, Eben Etzebeth, Antoine Dupont, Black, Ireland’s Andy Farrell, Mark Tele'a, Mark Gleeson, Clare Fallon Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Stade de France, Saint, Africa's, Rights, Saturday’s Rugby, New Zealand, Rugby Championship, Springboks, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: Zealand, South Africa, France, Saturday’s, New

☆ Uncertainty now for Springboks as winning era ends
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

First to be settled is what happens with Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, who is seen as the maverick genius behind the country's successive World Cup triumphs. He was coach in 2019 when they won in Japan but tweaked his role thereafter, relinquished the coaching post to his long-time lieutenant Jacques Nienaber. Both have been lauded for the analytical work and attention to detail and are likely to be sorely missed. None of the winning squad have spoken of quitting, either the game overall or their international careers, but the intensity of the World Cup campaign takes a toll as the 31-year-old centre Damian de Allende explained when asked whether he would continue with the Boks. "I would love to say yes but at the moment I have to take it year by year,” he said after Saturday’s victory.

Persons: Denis, Webb Ellis, Stephanie Lecocq, Rugby Rassie Erasmus, Jacques Nienaber, Felix Jones, Steve Borthwick, Duane Vermeulen, Damian de Allende, ”, “ I’m Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Stade de France, Saint, Rights, Irish, Leinster, South, England, Ireland, Twickenham, Thomson Locations: Zealand, South Africa, France, Japan, Africa, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Europe

☆ Rugby World Cup final: Inspirational South Africa captain Siya Kolisi chases history against New Zealand
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Patrick Snell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —South Africa and New Zealand will meet on Saturday in a Rugby World Cup final for the first time since 1995. On that occasion, it was tournament host South Africa which won a close fought contest 15-12 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time. Twenty-four years on from that enduring moment, it was the inspiring Siya Kolisi who led his country to victory in the 2019 final against England, becoming the first Black captain to lead South Africa to World Cup glory. Indeed, his participation in this year’s World Cup is also nothing short of remarkable. South Africa or New Zealand will become the first nation to win the Rugby World Cup four times.

Persons: Webb Ellis, Nelson Mandela, Francois Pienaar, Mandela, Siya Kolisi, Kolisi, Richie McCaw, Jeanne Accorsini, ”, England’s Tom Curry, ” Kolisi, he’d, Curry, Thomas Samson, it’s, “, Unwisely, Sam Whitelock, Whitelock, Ian Foster, we’ve, ” Foster, Samuel Whitelock, Sebastien Bozon, Foster, Barrett, – Scott, Jordie, Beauden –, Will Jordan Organizations: CNN, Rugby, South, Springboks, England, All Blacks, World Rugby, Rugby World, Getty, While New Zealand, Kiwis, South Africa, Blacks, Twickenham, New Zealand, New, Stade de France Locations: South Africa, New Zealand, Africa, Zwide, Port Elizabeth, England, AFP, While New, London, France , New Zealand, France, Zealand, Paris

☆ World Cup expands to 24 teams amid radical new calendar
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The 2027 World Cup in Australia will expand from the current 20 to 24 teams, split into six first-round groups containing four sides each. LATER DRAWWR said the draw for the next World Cup would be made in January 2026, the latest it has ever been held before a tournament. WR said they had addressed this by the introduction of a Nations League competition, with two 12-team divisions. There will be a second division with a further 12 teams, which will be run by World Rugby. There will also be a new, annual expanded Pacific Nations Cup competition in 2024 featuring Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the United States.

Persons: ”, Sir Bill Beaumont, Beaumont, WR, Mitch Phillips, Mark Gleeson, Clare Fallon Organizations: Biennial Nations League, Rugby, Nations League, Six Nations, Rugby Championship, World Rugby, WR, Nations, Thomson Locations: PARIS, Paris, Australia, France, Japan, Fiji, Canada, Samoa, Tonga, United States

☆ Australia-based Wallabies lacked work ethic at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Australia-based players in the Wallabies squad for the disappointing World Cup campaign lacked the ability to train at the same level as their team mates at European clubs, according to assistant coach Pierre-Henry Broncan. "The team's youth did not work at this World Cup, it did not lack experience but collective experience," he told French sports newspaper L'Equipe. "We lost the World Cup the week we lost Tupou and Skelton. They have been preparing for this World Cup for four years. "If he senses a real desire from Rugby Australia to create a high-performance environment, I think he will be there."

Persons: Siphiwe, Pierre, Henry Broncan, Eddie Jones, Will Skelton, Richie Arnold, that's, Jones, Skelton, Taniela Tupou, Tupou, Frenchman, Fabien Galthie, Broncan, Eddie, Nick Mulvenney, Ed Osmond Organizations: Australia Wallabies, St Peter’s, Rugby, South, REUTERS, Rights, Wallabies, Castres, Australia, French, L'Equipe, Fiji, Rugby Australia, Thomson Locations: Sunninghill, South Africa, Pretoria, Australia, France, Fiji

☆ All Blacks report clean bill of health going into Italy match
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LYON, France, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The four players on the injury list before the All Blacks headed off to southwest France for the bye week, including skipper Sam Cane, are available for selection for Friday's match against Italy, assistant coach Jason Ryan said on Tuesday. Openside flanker Cane was named to start the tournament opening loss to hosts France at Stade de France but was withdrawn shortly before the match kicked off with a back problem. Frizell, who started at blindside flanker throughout New Zealand's Rugby Championship triumph, has been struggling with a hamstring problem, forcing Foster to tinker with his back row. New Zealand will be without loosehead prop Ethan de Groot for the match in Lyon as he serves the first match in a two-game ban for a dangerous tackle in New Zealand's 71-3 win over Namibia. Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sam Cane, Jason Ryan, Ian Foster, Shannon Frizell, Tyrel Lomax, Jordie Barrett, Cane, Foster, tinker, Tighthead Lomax, Barrett, Ethan de Groot, Nick Mulvenney, Toby Davis Organizations: Blacks, Italy, France, Stade de France, blindside, New Zealand's Rugby, Namibia, Thomson Locations: LYON, France, South Africa, London, Namibia, New Zealand, Lyon, New

☆ Kickers worth their weight in gold at Rugby World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Nick Said | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

There have been 14 tries scored in the previous eight World Cup finals, less than two per match, with 73% of the points in those deciding games coming from kicks at poles. The tournament in France has already shown that when two heavyweights collide it is the boot that makes the difference. The Wallabies scored two tries to one in that match but it was kicks at poles that took Fiji to the win. The conditions so far in the tournament have been made for kickers with warm weather and the particular balls used. Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Thomas Ramos, Richie Mo’unga, George Ford, Emiliano Boffelli, Opta, Nick Said, Ken Ferris Organizations: Ireland, South Africa, Springboks, New Zealand, Blacks, Fiji, Australia, Pacific Islanders, Wallabies, Argentina, Samoa, Nations, Rugby, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, Paris, Fiji, Portugal, Georgia

☆ Georgia looking to cause an upset at the Rugby World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Jack Hillcox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Today, Maisashvili is in France leading Georgia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Having lost 35-15 against Australia in its Rugby World Cup opener, Georgia hopes to bounce back against Portugal this Saturday, then against Fiji and Wales in its final pool C game. David Mdzinarishvili/ReutersThe Georgian national rugby team was formed in 1964, but was initially subsumed by the Soviet Union rugby federation. Despite making up a tiny portion of the Soviet Union, Georgian players were one of the dominant forces in the larger nation’s rugby team. The nation’s rugby team suffered after gaining independence, leading to serious lack of resources.

Persons: CNN — “, ” Levan Maisashvili, Maisashvili, Levan Maisashvili, Georgia's, Levan Verdzeuli, Nika Abuladze –, David Mdzinarishvili, ” Tony Collins, Huw Richards ’, Collins, “, Bidzina Ivanishvili, Forbes, ” Maisashvili, ”, Warren Little Organizations: CNN, rugby, Italy, –, Georgian, CNN Sport, ” Rugby, Scotland, Australia, Rugby World, Portugal, Fiji, Humble, Georgian national rugby team, Soviet Union rugby, Soviet Union, Soviet national, Institute of Sports Humanities, Rugby, Reuters, Nations, Northern Hemisphere, Rugby Championship, Southern Hemisphere Locations: South Africa, Wales, France, Georgia, Shukhuti, Soviet, Georgian, “ Georgia, Fiji, Toulouse

☆ How Fiji’s historic Rugby World Cup victory left Australia facing the prospect of early elimination
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Frank Lomani’s game-ending kick may have drifted wide of the posts, but that mattered little for Fiji’s players. As the final whistle blew on the Rugby World Cup group stage match, they could now celebrate beating Australia for the first time in the tournament’s history – and a first victory against the Wallabies since 1954. Soon after, the players huddled together and – as is a tradition for Fijian rugby teams – sang a hymn to give their thanks to God. Fiji's players form a circle after defeating Australia for the first time in 69 years. Two-time champion Australia could now be knocked out of the Rugby World Cup group stages for the first time.

Persons: CNN — Frank Lomani’s, Fijian rugby teams –, ”, Josua Tuisova, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Samu Kerevi, Olivier Chassignole, Suli Vunivalu’s, Simon Raiwalui, “, Sunday’s, Chris Hyde, Raiwalui, –, we’ve, they’ve, Waisea Nayacalevu, Francis Bompard, Fiji’s, Seremaia Bai, Bai, “ We’ve Organizations: CNN, Rugby World, Wallabies, Fijian rugby teams, Wales, Australia, Getty, Georgia, Fiji, England, Rugby, “, South, Super Rugby, New, ” Locations: Australia, Fiji, AFP, ”, rugby’s, South Africa, Portugal, Fijian, New Zealand, Argentina, Zealand, –

☆ Rugby World Cup: After triumphing with the All Blacks, Malakai Fekitoa has found a ‘new purpose’ with Tonga
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Long before he had the chance to travel to New Zealand, Fekitoa set his sights on competing for the All Blacks – undoubtedly the most famous rugby team on the planet. “It was always a dream of mine to play for New Zealand, even though I was born and raised in Tonga,” Fekitoa tells CNN Sport. Fekitoa tries to force his way through a tackle during a Rugby Championship match between New Zealand and Argentina in 2014. The change has proved particularly beneficial for Tonga, which, as well as Fekitoa, has named former All Blacks Vaea Fifita, George Moala and Charles Piutau in its squad for the ongoing Rugby World Cup in France. After the rule change, he thinks more All Blacks players will follow his lead by swapping allegiances.

Persons: Fekitoa, ” Fekitoa, Jonah Lomu, Cameron Spencer, –, haven’t, Fifita, George Moala, Charles Piutau, Leon Lord, Adam Coleman, Israel Folau, “, ”, “ I’m, I’ve, Richard Heathcote, It’s, James Crombie, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, All Blacks, New Zealand, CNN Sport, Tonga, Wellington Sevens, Wesley College, Rugby, Blacks, Fiji, Getty, Australia, Ireland, Wasps, Gloucester, Tonga –, Rugby Championship, Nations, United Rugby, Munster, Romania, Tonga’s, Tongan, Kiwi, New Locations: Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Auckland, Argentina, Europe, Monaco, France, AFP, New, England, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Scotland, Samoa

☆ South Africa hooker Marx ruled out of World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v New Zealand - Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa - August 6, 2022 New Zealand's Samisoni Taukei'aho in action with South Africa's Malcolm Marx REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - South Africa's World Cup title defence suffered a major blow on Thursday when hooker Malcolm Marx was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a long-term knee injury as coach Jacques Nienaber delayed naming a replacement in the squad. The pair were not deemed fit enough when the World Cup squad was announced on Aug. 8 but both played a major role in the team's 2019 triumph. Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba was the nominated standby option when the squad was announced. One of the leading hookers in world rugby, Marx has also been a strong ball carrier for the Springboks and a key source of turnovers at the breakdown. Reporting by Julien Pretot and Nick Said; Editing by Alison Williams; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Africa's Malcolm Marx, Siphiwe, Malcolm Marx, Jacques Nienaber, Nienaber, Bongi Mbonambi, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Pollard, Joseph Dweba, Marx, Malcolm, Deon, Marco, Mbonambi, Van Staden, Julien Pretot, Nick Said, Alison Williams, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, New Zealand, Mbombela, Africa's Malcolm Marx REUTERS, World, Leicester Tigers, South African Rugby, Romania, Sunday, Springboks, Bongi, Thomson Locations: Africa, New, Mbombela, South Africa, Bordeaux

☆ Foster picks big guns in New Zealand team to face Springboks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Coach Ian Foster has selected the same backline that helped beat the Springboks 35-20 during the Rugby Championship in Auckland last month. Foster is keen to give his team a good run ahead of their World Cup opener against France in Paris on Sept. 8 and this presents an excellent opportunity to do so against the old enemy and reigning world champions. "This is our final game before the Rugby World Cup and this test is critical in our preparation," Foster said. "With just two weeks to go, it’s an important opportunity to get us battle-ready for the start of the tournament. "These games (against South Africa) are always intense and physically challenging, and I’m sure this one will be no different."

Persons: Ian Foster, Russell Cheyne, Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Shannon Frizell, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Foster, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett, Telea, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, Ardie, Sam Cane, Jacobson, Scott Barrett, Whitelock, Tyrel Lomax, Ethan de Groot, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Dalton Papali'i, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert, Nick Said Organizations: Rugby Union, International, New Zealand, Murrayfield, REUTERS, Rugby, South, Twickenham, Springboks, France, Blacks, Australia, Argentina, Pool A . New Zealand, Brown, Thomson Locations: New, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, Zealand, South Africa, Auckland, Paris, Coles, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia, Pool A . New

☆ Moody misses out on NZ squad for World Cup, Retallick included
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Rugby Union - 2018 Bledisloe Cup Rugby Championship - Australia v New Zealand - Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - August 25, 2018 - New Zealand's Joe Moody celebrates with teammates after scoring a try. "But with the compilation of his time off and our programme, having to go into the first part of this World Cup fully loaded, we just want him to go and get some game time. "So whether it'll be round one, round two of the World Cup, we're not sure. Retallick's frequent second-row partner Sam Whitelock was selected for his fourth World Cup. The All Blacks will play the Springboks at Twickenham in London on Aug. 25 and start their World Cup campaign against hosts France in Paris on Sept. 8.

Persons: Joe Moody, Ross Setford, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Loosehead Moody, Ian Foster, We've, he's, Retallick, Josh Lord, Foster, we're, Sam Whitelock, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Finau, scrumhalf Brad Weber, George Bell, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Nepo, Ofa, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'i, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Luke Jacobson, Shannon Frizell, Aaron Smith, Finlay Christie, Cam Roigard, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga, Anton Lienert, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Mark Telea, Will Jordan, Nick Mulvenney, Jamie Freed Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, REUTERS, All Blacks, Australia, Braydon, Wallabies, last, South, Blacks, Springboks, Twickenham, France, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Eden, Auckland , New Zealand, France, Hawkes Bay, New, Dunedin, Europe, South Africa, London, Paris, Lincoln

☆ Springboks change 14 for Argentina rematch in Buenos Aires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

He has continued to cast his net wide and manage the minutes of the players with a further 14 changes for Saturday’s test. The only one to retain their place is flyhalf Manie Libbok, with regular starter Handre Pollard still working his way back from injury. Jasper Wiese is in at number eight, with versatile loose-forwards Franco Mostert and Deon Fourie on the side of the scrum. "There is not a player in our enlarged squad who is fully confident that he will be in the World Cup squad, so the competition for places is intense." The Boks scraped a barely deserved win at Ellis Park on Saturday as they withstood intense pressure from Argentina, and will expect a backlash from the home side.

Persons: Manie Libbok, Andrew Boyers, Hooker Bongi Mbonambi, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jacques Nienaber, Handre Pollard, Fullback Damian Willemse, Canan Moodie, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo, Andre Esterhuizen, Cobus Reinach, Thomas du Toit, Trevor Nyakane, Marvin Orie, Jean Kleyn, Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie, Nche, Nienaber, Damian Willemse, – Jasper Wiese, – Deon Fourie, Mbonambi, Joseph Dweba, – Vincent Koch, Jean, Luc du Preez, Evan Roos, Herschel Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Nick Said, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby Union, International, England, South Africa, Twickenham, Rugby World, Argentina, Springbok, Rugby, Fullback, Ireland, South African Rugby, World, Ellis, Thomson Locations: South, London, Britain, Africa, Buenos Aires, New Zealand, Johannesburg, Mbonambi, France, Argentina

☆ Kolisi's World Cup in the balance after SA Rugby confirm surgery
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CAPE TOWN, May 3 (Reuters) - South African Rugby confirmed on Wednesday that Springboks captain Siya Kolisi underwent knee surgery last week and said it is unclear if he will be fit for this year's Rugby World Cup. "Mampane said it was too early to make any reliable forecasts on when Kolisi may be able to return to play." SA Rugby and Kolisi's club had remained tight-lipped about his condition over the last 10 days. Kolisi, one of the most respected figures in the game, is due to move to French club Racing 92 after the World Cup, which runs from Sept. 8-Oct. 28. South Africa, who name their final 33-man squad on Aug. 8, begin their title defence against Scotland in Marseille on Sept. 10.

☆ DMac ignites another All Blacks flyhalf debate
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

May 3 (Reuters) - New Zealand could be gearing up for another heated flyhalf debate heading into the World Cup with Damian McKenzie staking a strong claim to the All Blacks number 10 shirt with his form for the high-flying Waikato Chiefs. Three-times World Player of the Year Dan Carter, when fit, killed the debate for the best part of a decade until he retired after New Zealand won their third World Cup in 2015. The return of McKenzie from Japan at the start of the Super Rugby Pacific season, however, threatens to send the debate into overdrive. "He's shown a lot of maturity in his decision making," All Blacks coach Ian Foster told Stuff media recently. "I think he would say that he's still not the finished product, but I think he's had a major impact on the competition.

☆ Wallabies will back whoever Jones picks as skipper - Slipper
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, May 3 (Reuters) - James Slipper, Australia's incumbent test skipper, says the Wallabies will back whoever coach Eddie Jones chooses as captain for the Rugby Championship and World Cup. Hooper has since returned to the game and the Wallabies squad but Jones has yet to announce who will lead the side when the test season starts in July, only suggesting that he might pick more than one. "Eddie made it clear he's just going to pick the right man for the job so whoever that is, mate, we'll just bide behind," Slipper told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday. Jones has not always followed the expected path with his captains, most notably when he named New Zealand-born hooker Dylan Hartley as England skipper in 2016. "I feel I have got a couple of good years left in me, so we'll see what happens."

☆ New AFL boss steals spotlight from Jones's Wallabies pitch
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Australia rugby union coach Eddie Jones poses with a ball, flanked by Wallabies players Andrew Kellaway and Reece Hodge at a news conference, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, in Melbourne, Australia, May 1, 2023. Whether the AFL’s late press call was by coincidence or design, Rugby Australia officials were left fuming as the spotlight shifted away from their global sport to the homegrown game popular in only the nation's southern states. Appointed in January, Jones's second stint in charge of the Wallabies sees them much diminished from his first when he took them to the final of the 2003 World Cup on home soil. In 2002, Jones was the last Australian coach to win the Bledisloe Cup, the annual series against New Zealand. Rugby Australia will hope Jones can deliver Rugby Championship wins along with his sharp wit and penchant for a sound bite to help build more buzz around the fallen twice World Cup winners.

☆ Koroibete wins second Australia player of the year award
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, April 24 (Reuters) - Marika Koroibete won the 2022 John Eales Medal as Australia's player of the year on Monday despite missing the end of year tour to Europe because of his club commitments in Japan. The powerful Fiji-born winger came out top in a ballot of Wallabies players ahead of loose forward Rob Valetini after some outstanding performances during the July series against England and the Rugby Championship. Koroibete, who also took the award in 2019, joined George Smith, Nathan Sharpe, Michael Hooper, Israel Folau and David Pocock as multiple winners of the accolade. "It's been a dream come true to represent the Wallabies and I hope I can continue to contribute to the team in what's a massive year ahead." Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ S Africa's Libbok eager to press World Cup claims against Italy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Apart from flyhalf, I can also cover fullback and centre, both inside centre or outside," Libbok told reporters on Wednesday. "I am pleased I can do that as it means I can help out the team if I am needed there. "It was something I dreamed of since I was a little kid, so it was very special for me," he said. If I got the ball from the kick-off when I came on I would probably just have run with it. "Last week we had a plan against France, as we knew there would be opportunities (to keep ball in hand).

☆ Argentina limit changes for Sunday's Twickenham test
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Argentina will field two new front rowers and have made a switch on the wing in three changes for Sunday’s test against England at Twickenham. England and Argentina share the same World Cup pool next year but Cheika told a virtual news conference on Thursday that was not an immediate concern in their approach to Sunday's test. "For us it's about changing a little bit the style of our and our mental approach as well," he said. Cheika has split this week with coaching Lebanon at the Rugby League World Cup, where they play Australia in the quarter-finals at Huddersfield on Friday. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Inside TikTok's push to win over the global sports community, from setting up concerts for the NHL to sponsoring a women's rugby championship
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Colin Salao | Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The company has leaned in, setting up sponsorship deals with teams and leagues. Tune into a professional rugby match in one of Europe's Six Nations leagues and it's impossible to miss TikTok's branding plastered all over the field. Twelve of the top 25 fastest growing brands on TikTok between March 2021 and March 2022 were sports teams or leagues. The company has even tested streaming live games that are shot vertically to match TikTok's video format. Enya Breen of Ireland kicks a late try conversion during a TikTok Women's Six Nations match on April 30, 2022.

☆ Sud-americanii au învins tripla campioană mondială, echipa Noii Zeelande
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-14 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +1 min

Selecționată de rugby a Argentinei a furnizat o adevărată surpriză în etapa a treia a Rugby Championship, un campionat al naţionalelor din emisfera sudică. Pentru prima dată în istoie, sud-americanii au învins tripla campioană mondială, echipa Noii Zeelande, reușind să obțină victoria în partida de la Sydney cu 25-15. Până acum argentinienii nu au înregistrat niciun succes în cele 30 de confruntări cu "All Blacks". Eroul meciului a fost Nicolas Sanchez care a adus toate punctele echipei sale: un eseu, o transformare şi şase lovituri de penalitate. În clasamentul competiţiei, Noua Zeelandă rămâne pe primul loc cu 6 puncte, urmată de Argentina şi Australia cu câte 4 puncte, dar cu două meciuri mai puţin disputate.

Persons: Nicolas Sanchez Organizations: rugby, Rugby Championship Locations: Argentinei, istoie, Noii Zeelande, Sydney, Australiei, Noua Zeelandă, Argentina, Australia

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