Rugby Championship

Duane Vermuelen
Darryn te Roller - Aug 6, 2023

New Springbok stars are emerging ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023. Jacques Nienaber will announce South Africa’s Rugby World Cup squad on Tuesday and there is no shortage of competition for selection, especially up-front. South Africa has no shortage of physical forwards to choose from including a colossal battle for the No.8 jersey.  Duane […]


Rugby Union

Wrapping up the presents, it’s appropriate to consider the Best and Worst list of Rugby 2022. From the teams and competitions across the globe, this is a small selection to end the calendar year on a positive note. For all the positives in the sport, it is competitive, there must be a winning and a […]

Time-wasting Wallabies Bledisloe Cup hopes dashed (yet) again

With fingers pointing at Bernard Foley and match referee Mathieu Raynal, it was a harsh end to such a sensational game – unfortunately, a match where any Wallabies Bledisloe Cup ambitions were dashed by a freekick penalty that stalled a fast-finishing Australian team in Melbourne. The game had fans on the edges of their seats. […]

Argentina's first win adds to NZ pressure

In a convincing manner across two Rugby Championship matches, the Wallabies dominated the Springboks as Argentina’s first win on New Zealand soil saw jubilation on the faces of the South American team. Shocked looks crossed the All Blacks player’s faces, with more despair in the coaching box. Ian Foster has added more unwanted records to […]

Ongoing Wallabies first five issues plus new Assistant Coach role filled

Consistency is something that any successful rugby team must have. So the ongoing Wallabies’ first five issues have plagued the Dave Rennie era. The latest crisis began when Quade Cooper got injured in the opening test of The Rugby Championship campaign. That was followed by the failure of James O’Connor to step into the starting […]

All Blacks head coach role assured for Ian Foster until RWC2023

Even if it might not quell the external noises, the All Blacks head coach role has been assured to incumbent Ian Foster until the Rugby World Cup in France. That ‘noise’ had reached a crescendo on Friday, August 12, the day before the second Rugby Championship test in Johannesburg. Media attention was abundant, right across […]

Steve Hansen comments on NZ Rugby

Reading the Steve Hansen comments on NZ Rugby (New Zealand) you get the sense that it is like an ex-wife putting the boot in. And you wonder, who will be seen in a worse position at the conclusion of this dire period for NZ Rugby? Interviewed by Today FM, Sir Steve Hansen KNZM did not […]

How far are recent All Blacks coaching staff changes going to go?

After announcements on Sunday, July 24, the question has arisen of how far are recent All Blacks coaching staff changes going to go? That comes after a series loss to Ireland this year, on top of losses across 2021. In news that came days after a press conference securing the role of the head coach […]

Celebrating our game, Last Word On Rugby have combined the wealth of knowledge from all our staff and writers, to come up with the MC50 Most Influential Player Series. A list that profiles the many and growing number of players in World Rugby who are either the MVP of their country, competition or code: we […]

In the Bin Rugby Pod - Oct 3, 2017

Andy and Paddy are back with yet another blistering edition of the ‘In the Bin’ rugby pod. There’s the usual tasting menu of reviews, analysis, opinions and gripes as we work our way through last week’s egg chasing. Big Story Roundup In the big news story of the week we talk Pollocks. Well, Allyson Pollock […]

Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons - Aviva Premiership
In the Bin Rugby Pod - Oct 12, 2017

‘In the Bin’ rugby pod is back with a bumper edition of the pod as we ruck our way through the domestic leagues, internationals & look ahead to the return of the Champions Cup! Big Story Roundup It’s been a scintillating week of rugby from Cape Town to Exeter, but to kick things off this […]

NZR sign Joe Schmidt to join All Blacks as Independent Selector

Reports that circulated the web have been confirmed, as NZR sign Joe Schmidt to join the All Blacks as an Independent Selector from July 2022. It is a coup for the New Zealand union, who have felt extreme examination after a contentious Northern Tour that only produced more questions than answers. With the ability to […]

Re-signed Ardie Savea commits to NZ Rugby/All Blacks/Hurricanes til 2025

Re-signed Ardie Savea has penned a four-year deal with New Zealand Rugby (NZ Rugby) which will keep him in Aotearoa through to the end of the 2025 season. His contract terms will not be made public, so the questions many would be thinking could be; How much is he being paid directly from NZ Rugby? […]

Springboks Rugby Championship
Ryan Jordan - Oct 3, 2021

The Springboks Rugby Championship campaign was disappointing. They finished third in the four-nation competition, which was won by the All Blacks. The highlight of the Springboks Rugby Championship 2021 was proving their many detractors wrong by staging a fightback from a 9 point deficit to defeat the All Blacks 31-29 in the Gold Coast. Boxing […]

Aaron Smith provides Dichotomy on professional sport with All Blacks unavailability

100-test All Black Aaron Smith has provided a unique Dichotomy of this professional rugby player today with his All Blacks unavailability choice, by choosing family ahead of a three-month odyssey overseas. Unique, as is his choice to not only stay home for the birth of his second child that was put ahead of his contractual […]

South African Rugby
Ryan Jordan - Nov 9, 2020

South African rugby has received significant sponsorship boosts during the last week. The Springboks winning the Rugby World Cup in 2019 had a lot to do with this and shows that success breeds success. It has been a busy few weeks for South African rugby. Ryan Jordan considers the impact of the announcements made recently. […]



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National Rugby League

Ever found yourself in a chat with a rugby-mad buddy, only to be baffled by the lingo and the rules? Let’s start unscrambling that confusion by diving into the world of the National Rugby League (NRL) – the premier global competition in Rugby League.

Welsh Rugby Union head coach Warren Gatland looks on with pride after the Wales Grand Slam Celebration
Thomas Booth - Nov 9, 2020

Warren Gatland has had his say on the Rugby World Cup in France in his recent UK Daily Telegraph article. Wales failed to progress beyond the last eight not because they were outfought and outthought. Rather that there is something wrong with the rules of the game, and how it is played at the highest […]

Rugby Heroes and Villains of 2023; Scotland

In a look back, Last Word on Rugby views the Rugby Heroes and Villains for 2023. Not focused entirely on one or the other – balanced in as how the sport of rugby union is a team-based game; as much as for individuals who can shine or be villainised for their contributions. Over the last […]

Rugby Canada women's team player, Fancy Bermudez, celebrates try against France

The 2023 Rugby Canada women’s team might be seen as one of the best years in the national team’s history. There were many highlights for the national team, including playing the Pacific Four Series in the nation’s capital in the summer. 2023 Rugby Canada women’s team: Finished second in the WXV 1 competition Strengths Players […]

Your Favourite Rugby Players' Most Interesting Hobbies
Ricky Carroll, Editor - Nov 9, 2020

Rugby League players are a talented and fearless bunch, so it only stands to reason that amongst them are some unusual hobbies. If you’ve ever wondered what some of the most exciting rugby league players in the world get up to in their spare time, or get up to now that they’ve retired, then we’ve […]

Jean-Bouin, home of the Stace Stade Français vs Leicester game on Sunday

The Champions Cup game of the Stade Français vs Leicester game will take place on Sunday at 12:30 PM ET. This will be the first group-stage game for Stade Français Paris after the Leicester Tigers won on December 10 against the Stormers. While Stade Français lost on the road against the Sale Sharks, it will […]

Marcus Smith, of the Harlequins F.C., playing against Racing 92
Charlie Inglefield - Nov 9, 2020

The two most impressive teams this past week in European Professional Rugby Club (EPRC) competition were perhaps the Harlequin F.C. and the Exeter Chiefs. And in those games, Marcus Smith and Will Joseph were superb in Harlequins’ scintillating win over Racing 92 in Paris. On Saturday afternoon, the Chiefs were equally impressive in downing mighty […]

Paris Stade Jean-Bouin, one of the 14 home venues for the Top14 Round Nine Games
Larissa Falls - Nov 9, 2020

If you love a stat or fact, then you’ve come to the right place! After the French Top14 Round Nine concludes, LWOS adds to your weekend’s enjoyment. 14 Fun Facts of Top14 Round Nine Larissa Falls continues her series breaking down the names and numbers from Round Nine of the French Top14. Après un énorme combat, […]