Veteran Irish prop Cian Healy is poised to equal the legendary Brian O’Driscoll’s cap record after being named on the bench for Friday’s match against Argentina. If he takes the field, Healy will reach the impressive milestone of 133 appearances for Ireland, a testament to his enduring presence and impact on the Irish rugby scene.
England’s assistant coach, Richard Wigglesworth, hinted at potential tactical changes for the upcoming clash against South Africa, raising questions about Marcus Smith’s starting spot at fly-half. Meanwhile, South Africa is keen to exploit former Harlequins coach Jerry Flannery’s knowledge of Smith’s game to counter his attacking prowess.
England’s head coach Steve Borthwick expressed his disappointment after his team squandered a 12-point lead to suffer a 42-37 defeat against Australia at the Allianz Stadium. Borthwick highlighted the high number of turnovers and handling errors as key factors in the loss, emphasizing the need for improvement in crucial moments. The defeat marks England’s sixth loss in ten Tests this year, setting a challenging tone ahead of their upcoming match against world champions South Africa.
England’s hopes of ending their 12-year drought against New Zealand were dashed in a heart-stopping finish at Twickenham. Despite a valiant second-half comeback, a missed drop goal by George Ford in the dying seconds handed the All Blacks a 24-22 victory in a pulsating Autumn Nations Series opener.
New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has responded to England prop Joe Marler’s controversial comments about the Haka, stating that the tradition is deeply meaningful to the All Blacks and their Pacific Island heritage. Marler’s initial call to ‘bin’ the Haka sparked widespread backlash, leading him to clarify his remarks and apologize for any offense caused. Robertson suggests Marler could have chosen his words more carefully, while emphasizing the cultural significance of the Haka for New Zealand rugby.
Emirates, a long-time supporter of rugby, has become the Title Sponsor of Asia Rugby, aiming to promote the sport in emerging markets and empower athletes across Asia. This multi-year partnership will see Emirates supporting various tournaments and competitions, including the Asia Rugby Men’s and Women’s Championships, the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, and youth tournaments. The airline will also invest in developing grassroots sporting activities, aligning with Asia Rugby’s mission to grow the sport’s presence and cultivate a new generation of talent.
The Paris 2024 Olympics saw several unexpected victories and extraordinary feats, challenging the dominance of medal favorites. From France’s rugby sevens triumph over Fiji to Saint Lucia’s historic 100m gold, the Games offered a surprising mix of results.
Rugby Sevens returns to the Olympic stage in Paris with a thrilling mix of speed, strategy, and athleticism. From its roots in medieval times to its modern Olympic resurgence, we explore the history of the sport, the key players to watch, and the upcoming tournament schedule.
World Rugby Hall of Famer Waisale Serevi, widely regarded as the greatest rugby sevens player ever, has been appointed head coach of the Indian men’s and women’s teams. The Fijian legend, known as the ‘King of Sevens’, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having led Fiji to their first world series title and coached teams in various countries. Serevi aims to help India reach new heights in rugby, drawing parallels to his successful development of the sport in the USA.
Former England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen took to social media to express his admiration for a video of a South African schoolboy nailing a stunning 75-meter rugby kick. The video, originally shared by Darren, showcased the young player’s impressive distance and accuracy during a match. Pietersen retweeted the video, tagging renowned New Zealand rugby player Beauden Barrett and questioning if it was real. The post garnered significant attention, receiving nearly 300,000 views and close to 500 likes within a day. Social media users praised the young athlete’s talent, with some commenting on the prevalence of rugby in South Africa and others recalling their presence at the match confirming the authenticity of the kick.
