Rugby Championship

All Blacks squad less prepared for 'long haul' of Test schedule

With a fresh All Blacks squad named on Thursday to travel to Perth – albeit missing their Captain and in-form key duo – this side is less prepared for the upcoming ‘long haul’ Test schedule than stakeholders will have wished for. Hurriedly assembled that is. If not under a degree of pressure before departing as […]


All Blacks invincibility

Long before the Coronavirus outbreak, long before the last Rugby World Cup, in fact, there was a time of infallibility. When a team like the All Blacks invincibility. Not as much unbeatable [yet], a side that had one of the highest ever winning percentages. Both figuratively and, in actuality. In the years after the 2011 […]

Six Nations competition now more entertaining than Rugby Championship
Robert Mitchell - Feb 25, 2021

This weekend, many rugby watchers will focus on the 2021 Six Nations competition. It is holding their attention for more reasons than simply a ‘lockdown fix’. In realizing its popularity more so now than ever, why is that? By comparison, The Rugby Championship is often held up as a gold standard of free-running rugby. Watching […]

Ian Foster's All Blacks gain a Pass Mark (Pumas loss notwithstanding)

Even with a barely tolerable 50% win ratio, Ian Foster’s All Blacks gain a pass mark in the books of most fair-minded critics. Most, although the so-called ‘brutal fans’ might still struggle with the overall results of 2020. Saturday’s victory over Argentina has pushed the team just into the pass category. Not a strong season, […]

Pablo Matera leads Argentina to famous win over All Blacks

After the final siren blew time, Pablo Matera was standing proudly after leading his 2020 Los Pumas side to a famous, first-ever win over the All Blacks. More than famous. More like heartfelt, and with all the passion and intent which Argentina has shown in 30 attempts previously to defeat New Zealand. Yet at Bankwest […]

First time ever; Six Nations and Tri Nations being played simultaneously

The Six Nations and the Tri Nations are being played simultaneously for the first time ever, due to the adaptation to scheduling which rugby has made for Covid-19. Less a coincidence than a rare event that is unlikely to reoccur. With the 2021 Six Nations scheduled for its more regular window of February and March […]

Springboks Rugby Championship
Ryan Jordan - Oct 16, 2020

The rumours of the possible  Springboks Rugby Championship exit has had rugby supporters around the world watching with keen interest to see what would eventually transpire. Would they or wouldn’t they? Springboks Rugby Championship withdrawal Back in August, Ryan Jordan was sceptical that the Springboks Rugby Championship defence would happen. Some of the circumstances have […]

Draw resolved in Rugby Championship 2020 scheduling dispute

After the conflict of schedule, the draw has been resolved for The Rugby Championship 2020 that allays the concerns of New Zealand, and ends an ugly argument between the nations. “Rugby Australia and SANZAAR, with the support of the NSW Government, South Africa, Argentina, and New Zealand, have been proactive in putting numerous workable solutions […]

Tit-for-tat unfavourable behaviour from SANZAAR partners

Recent Tit-for-tat behaviour and reporting of SANZAAR partners internal squabbling have been unfavourable, and to be honest, unsettling to all stakeholders. Like a trial separation where the parents are accusing the other of using the children for their own purposes, the relationship is at a low ebb. Something that has bubbled away for some time, […]

"We didn't agree to this" - Rugby Championship schedule conflict looms

When The Rugby Championship schedule was confirmed by SANZAAR, there were polar opposite reactions. On one hand, the promoters SANZAAR proudly confirmed ‘TRC 2020 Match Schedule and Venues’ while the host Rugby Australia were delighted. On the other, New Zealand Rugby was far from amused. Why? It appears a scheduling conflict would see the All […]

ACT Brumbies win Super Rugby Australia, over Queensland Reds

In a Grand Final that saw the ACT Brumbies win Super Rugby Australia, they have secured the title over the Queensland Reds 28-23 in Canberra. Competing in a semi-final and the winner takes all final was the difference between the Australian competition versus the New Zealand one. The Crusaders were victorious over the Tasman, yet […]

Bledisloe Cup home tests sealed, yet 'trouble at Mill'

With the Bledisloe Cup home tests sealed, you might assume that New Zealand Rugby were jumping for joy after announcing the two fixtures. Yet there is ‘trouble at mill’. Two matches, each uniquely scheduled for a Sunday kick-off is the bouquet. However, the trouble it took to secure those, the ignominy and frustrations caused the […]

Ian Foster can find 2020 All Blacks squad from North v South clash

With the 2020 All Blacks squad coming from the participants in the North v South trial game, head coach Ian Foster will select his players comprising that group on Sunday, September 6. The rescheduled fixture has been shifted to Wellington, so that players from Auckland can attend. Covid-19 restrictions limit the possibility of fans attending […]

Rugby Championship 2020
Ryan Jordan - Aug 31, 2020

The Rugby Championship 2020 is set to go ahead in New Zealand at the back end of the year, between 7 November and 12 December, in an attempt to catch up on a tournament that could not take place during its normal time-slot due to the COVID-19 pandemic. New Zealand’s appeal New Zealand has successfully […]

New Zealand 'safe haven' may host 2020 Rugby Championship series

With success on home soil over a feared Coronavirus pandemic, SANZAAR will plan to look on New Zealand as a ‘safe haven’ from where to schedule and play the 2020 Rugby Championship. In a media statement that retained the place of SANZAAR in a bereft International rugby market, it stated that ‘Having successfully restarted Super […]

James Barker, Editor - Apr 21, 2020

In the third of our series looking at the best overseas players to have appeared in England, James Barker compiles the Australia Premiership Rugby XV. This team, starting with the forward pack, features the Wallabies who’ve made the biggest impact in England. Australia Premiership Rugby XV: the forwards Julian Salvi – Bath, Leicester Tigers, Exeter […]



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Welsh Rugby Union head coach Warren Gatland looks on with pride after the Wales Grand Slam Celebration
Thomas Booth - Apr 21, 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 - Apr 21, 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 - Apr 21, 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 - Apr 21, 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, […]