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☆ 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

☆ South Africa hold off 14-man All Blacks to win record fourth World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | Thomson Reuters | Leads Coverage Of Sport Across The Asia-Pacific. Still Reports On The Full Panoply Of Sport. Many Olympics World Cups World Championships Grand Slams Grands Prix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

No team had ever recovered from a halftime deficit to win a World Cup final and the Springboks came out flying in the second half looking to drive home their advantage. It was the first try South Africa had conceded in four World Cup finals but Mo'unga missed the conversion from wide-out and the Springboks held on to the lead. Kolisi had by now returned to the fray after his card was not upgraded and South Africa brought their famed "bomb squad" off the bench to relieve fatigued forwards. South Africa winger Cheslin Kolbe was the fourth player to be yellow-carded seven minutes from time but New Zealand's Jordie Barrett struck the subsequent 48-metre penalty attempt wide of the posts. New Zealand had also been hoping to win a fourth World Cup and coach Ian Foster thought the way the cards for Cane and Kolisi played out had been a decisive factor.

Persons: Denis, Webb Ellis, Cyril Ramaphosa REUTERS, Gonzalo Fuentes, Cane, Beauden Barrett, NZ Handre Pollard, Sam Cane, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Handre, Siya Kolisi, Black Richie McCaw, Kolisi, Shannon Frizell, Flyhalf Pollard, Richie Mo'unga, Pollard, Cane clattered, Jesse Kriel, Mo'unga, Ardie Savea, New Zealand scrumhalf Aaron Smith, Mark Telea, Cheslin Kolbe, Zealand's Jordie Barrett, Ian Foster, it's, Nick Mulvenney, Ed Osmond Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Stade de France, Saint, South, NZ, Zealand, Blacks, Springboks, New Zealand, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: Zealand, South Africa, France, Africa, South Africa PARIS, New Zealand, New

☆ World Cup braced for second superpower showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

That means that should they triumph on Saturday they will have an incredible 50% success rate - four finals from eight tournaments. New Zealand won the inaugural event in 1987 then became the first to win back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2015 - an achievement defending champions South Africa are also desperate to emulate. Their previous final meeting was in 1995, the first World Cup South Africa were allowed into. At the other end of the experience spectrum is winger Will Jordan, whose eight tries in France equal the tournament best. Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)Reporting by Mitch Phillips; editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, Francois Pienaar, Chester Williams, Siya Kolisi, Richie McCaw, Handre Pollard, Ian Foster, Sam Whitelock, Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett, flyhalf Richie Mo'unga, Ardie, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert, Damian Willemse, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Deon Fourie, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie Le Roux, Wayne Barnes, Mitch Phillips, Ken Ferris Organizations: Springboks, New Zealand, South, France, England, Twickenham, Zealand, Blacks, Ireland, Webb, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, South Africa, Africa, England, flyhalf, Argentina, Ireland, France, Zealand, Brown

☆ All Blacks tweak team with one change for World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

All Blacks coach Ian Foster changed his lock combination again with Brodie Retallick restored to the lineup and Sam Whitelock returning to the list of replacements in the only change to the starting team. New Zealand believe the 35-year-old Whitelock, playing his third World Cup final, is most effective coming off the bench, and could bring an injection of energy at a time when South Africa are refreshing their forwards. Six of New Zealand's matchday squad for the game are previous World Cup winners and the 23-man team has a collective total of 1,387 caps, making it the most experienced All Blacks squad for any of their record five World Cup finals appearances. "We've woken up this week to find ourselves in a World Cup final and we've worked to deal with all the distractions. They (South Africa) are great at their style, we want to be great at ours," added Foster.

Persons: Zealand's Brodie Retallick, Paul Childs, Ian Foster, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Whitelock, Retallick, Scott Barrett, Barrett, Nepo Lualua, Fletcher Newell, Foster, Sam Cane, We've, we've, Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert, Mark Gleeson, Ken Ferris Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Groupama, REUTERS, Blacks, Kiwis, Saturday’s Rugby, South, Springboks, Ireland, Argentina, New, Foster . New Zealand, Brown, Thomson Locations: Zealand, Italy, Lyon, France, South Africa, MALMAISON, Foster . New

☆ Back to the drawing board for Foster's frustrated All Blacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | Thomson Reuters | Leads Coverage Of Sport Across The Asia-Pacific. Still Reports On The Full Panoply Of Sport. Many Olympics World Cups World Championships Grand Slams Grands Prix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Hot on the heels of a record test loss to world champions South Africa in their final warm-up, the All Blacks lost a perfect record in World Cup pool phase matches that went back to the first tournament in 1987. "Stats are stats and I understand all that, but in the past we've won all the pool games but not necessarily won the tournament, the goal is to win a tournament," Foster told reporters. "But we're not down in the sheds, we're just frustrated that we lost a game. "South Africa lost in 2019 the first game against us and went on to win the competition," he said. To win that we need to win the next three, and the way you do that is focus on the next one.

Persons: Ian Foster, we've, Foster, we're, Will Jordan, Sam Cane, Emoni Narawa, Ardie Savea, there's, Nick Mulvenney, Toby Davis Organizations: Blacks, South Africa, Thomson Locations: France, Namibia, Toulouse, Africa

☆ Sizzling France down New Zealand in thrilling World Cup opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The All Blacks, beaten for the first time in 32 World Cup pool games, had two Mark Telea tries and a sole penalty by Richie Mo'unga to show for themselves. "We felt there was a lot of pressure in the first half, it took, us time to relax and they scored quickly and easily. Sixteen years after losing their opening World Cup game as hosts against Argentina, France rose to the occasion, beating the All Blacks for the second time in a row. New Zealand were on the brink of the line again and surprisingly opted for the kick when France were penalised. France started the second half with a more playful mindset but were punished right away for their defensive nonchalance.

Persons: Ramos, Les Bleus, Damian Penaud, Melvyn Jaminet, Thomas Ramos, Mark Telea, Richie Mo'unga, Romain Ntamack, Paul Willemse, Jonathan Danty, Julien Marchand, It's, Fabien Galthie, Ian Foster's, Foster, Emmanuel Macron, Sam Cane, Tupou Vaa'i, Dalton Papali'i, Cane, Beauden Barrett, Marchand, Mo'unga, Ioane, Matthieu Jalibert, Ardie, Willie Jordan, Jaminet, Julien Pretot, Nick Mulvenney, Toby Davis, Ken Ferris Organizations: Blacks, Rugby, New Zealand, Stade de France, New, Argentina, South, France, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: France, Uruguay, Lille, New Zealand, Namibia, Toulouse, South Africa, New

☆ 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

☆ Savea ties Super Rugby try-scoring record but Drua stun Canes
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

May 6 (Reuters) - Julian Savea crossed twice to equal Israel Folau's Super Rugby record of 60 tries but it was not enough to stop the Fijian Drua adding the Wellington Hurricanes to their list of victims in Suva on Saturday. A noisy crowd at HFC Bank Stadium erupted in delight as replacement back Kemu Valetini kicked two penalties in the last five minutes to give the Drua a 27-24 win, a fourth victory in their second season in Super Rugby Pacific. "The Drua came out to play and they played the whole 80 and put us under a lot of pressure ... Flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi then gave the Hurricanes a 24-14 lead with a converted try under the posts but the Drua would not lie down. Savea, who was playing in his 150th Super Rugby match in his final season with the Hurricanes, was still appreciative of having matched former Wallabies fullback Folau's tally.

☆ Super Rugby finally rolls into the post-COVID era
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SYDNEY, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Finally freed of the COVID travel restrictions that sounded the death knell to the intercontinental edition and fragmented and disrupted the rump competition, Super Rugby returns in its full new normality on Friday. The second season of Super Rugby Pacific will be played with a host of law variations aimed at making the game more attractive to fans but one aspect of the competition is highly unlikely to change -- New Zealand supremacy. The Canterbury Crusaders dominated Super Rugby in the years pre-pandemic and have proved just as hard to beat with or without fans in the stadiums, through lockdowns, biosecurity protocols and in competition hubs. Despite optimistic noises coming from across the Tasman Sea in Australia, the biggest challenge to the Crusaders is likely to come from the North Island of New Zealand. The forgiving and sometimes derided playoff system that offers knockout rugby to eight of the 12 teams will give hope to all but the most hapless outfits.

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