Sharks fullback Rhyno Smith will join the sevens academy in Stellenbosch this January as he attempts to make the Blitzboks squad for the remainder of the 2017-18 World Rugby Sevens Series. Smith recently signed a contract extension with the Sharks that will see him play in Durban until the end of the 2019 season, but the union has granted him… Read more →
Francois Louw was named Man of the Match after Bath’s 26-21 win against Toulon, while there were also European Champions Cup victories for Ulster, Montpellier, the Scarlets, Racing 92 and Leinster. Bath outscored their opponents by three tries to two at The Rec on Saturday, with loosehead prop Beno Obano and Anthony Watson (two) crossing the line. But it was flanker Louw… Read more →
Eddie Jones wants England to make history when they play the Springboks in a three-Test series in South Africa next June. England have only won three of their 13 Tests against the Boks in South Africa – in 1972, 1994 and 2000. In 2012, they lost a three-Test series in South Africa 2-0 after the third Test was drawn. However,… Read more →
USA Rugby says the pre-season match between the Bulls and Stormers will be a significant boost for rugby in America. The South African franchises will clash at the StubHub Center in Los Angeles on 3 February in a Super Rugby warm-up match and former USA Eagles player Dan Lyle, who is now director of AEG Rugby, says it will impact… Read more →
Australia has announced that it will bid to host the 2021 women’s and 2027 men’s World Cups. Australia hosted the 2003 World Cup, and co-hosted the 1987 tournament, but have never held a Women’s World Cup. ‘The World Cup is the pinnacle for our Wallabies and Wallaroos teams and we want to bring those tournaments home for any player who… Read more →
Crusaders stalwart Kieran Read is set to undergo back surgery and will miss the start of the 2018 Super Rugby season. Read will have the operation this Saturday, with the expected recovery time likely to be around four months. The Crusaders will open their Super Rugby title defence against the Chiefs at the end of February. Photo: Martin Hunter/AFP Photo
Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out for three to four months after suffering a grade three medial knee ligament injury. Faletau sustained the injury during Bath’s European Champions Cup match against Toulon last Saturday. ‘It’s obviously a bit of a blow,’ said Bath coach Todd Blackadder. ‘I spoke to him after four big games for Wales about how he was… Read more →
Raelene Castle has become the first woman to serve as Rugby Australia CEO. Castle formerly served as chief executive of Netball New Zealand and rugby league club, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. The New Zealander takes over as Rugby Australia boss from Bill Pulver, who stood down from the post after the Force were axed from Super Rugby. She is also the… Read more →
The Blitzboks will be without their most experienced player for the remainder of the World Rugby Sevens Series after Chris Dry was ruled out due to a knee injury. Dry, who played in his 63rd tournament last weekend, suffered major ligament damage in South Africa’s quarter-final victory over Fiji at the Cape Town Sevens on Sunday. ‘Chris will be operated… Read more →
Clermont wing Alivereti Raka scored a hat-trick as Saracens suffered a 46-14 defeat in their rearranged European Champions Cup match at Allianz Park. The rematch of last season’s final had been postponed on Sunday morning due to bad weather. Clermont were upset when they were only told on Sunday night that the game would be played at 17:30 on Monday, and took their… Read more →
