Southern Hemisphere

Fan favourites Fijian Drua securing their first-ever Super Rugby Pacific playoff berth is an important step for the game. In so much that reality has matched the expectation – and not without a prolonged wait. Only in their second foundation season as a franchise, the long wait by Fijian rugby fans and supporters of Pacifica […]

John Plumtree: The Second Coming Earlier this morning the Sharks announced the second coming of John Plumtree as Head Coach. Dave Williams joins him as an assistant coach, also for his second stint at the KwaZulu-Natal based team.   Familiar Territory The Sharks made the announcement earlier today in a move that will be widely […]

Nine wins from nine fixtures have the Chiefs Super Rugby Pacific season on target for a home playoff match, including two victories against the Crusaders. This 34-24 win continues the Hamilton side’s dominance of the Southern Hemisphere competition. This home match was another stern challenge, however, the hosts held the Crusaders back, scoring a marvelous […]

We are closing in on the halfway point of the Super Rugby Pacific season with Super Rugby Round 6 and a season that promised so much has failed to live up to expectations. It’s been a case of deja vu as the New Zealand sides continue to dominate the competition, with the Chiefs sitting undefeated […]

South African provincial rugby has been a case of princes and paupers for decades. SA Rugby has tried to keep all its stakeholders and voting members happy with promises of a future in professional competitions. These promises have become unattainable in the modern professional game as the South African economy simply cannot afford to sustain […]

It was not solely the much-criticized throat-cutting act from the suspended Ardie Savea that contributed to his citing. The judgement included an on-field sanction handed to him when the Hurricanes played the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday, March 4. Sanzaar’s judiciary committee did not deem the throat-cutting gesture met the threshold for a red card, Savea […]

With days only until the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific competition commences its second season, the anticipation is building. Squads have been assembled, with the starting teams named for the opening clash between the Crusaders v Chiefs in Christchurch. Quickly followed by the New South Wales (NSW) Waratahs v ACT Brumbies. A good opening trial for […]

An announcement that the Richie Mo’unga Japanese contract post-RWC is a lifestyle change, as much as an opportunity to maximize earning potential now, is a valuable revelation. It means that the conclusion of the Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific season is likely his last for the red and blacks. Completing 2023, Richie Mo’unga will have accrued […]

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 […]

Did you see Rassie Erasmus’ social media posts about Wayne Barnes after the recent game between France and South Africa? (a game the Boks narrowly lost) Did you feel compelled afterward to send death threats to him and his family, or threaten sexual violence to his partner? No, me neither. True I’m not a South […]

The Ben Smith Nasi Manu ‘championship combo’ who took the side to the franchise’s only Super Rugby title, have been assigned key management roles to inspire the 2023 Highlanders squad. Highlanders head coach Clarke Dermody will welcome the pair to both senior roles in the administration, but more likely in how they each work with […]

Not all rugby is boring. It’s northern hemisphere rugby, as exemplified by the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup, that has the issue. So what? Kiwis and Ozzies have been pointing that out for decades. But it’s objectively bad when English rugby royalty are complaining about the state of rugby after their team has just won both […]

Since 2007, Portugal haven’t given as much to the rugby world as fans originally expected. The amateur rugby team, called Os Lobos, failed to capitalize on their place in the rugby arena and after struggling now play in the third division of European rugby. But, outside of the mist, chaos and cruel reality of pro-rugby, some surprises still come from the […]

It’s common belief that 95% of World Rugby fans don’t know anything about Portuguese rugby. Not surprising really. There are big doubts and questions like: who plays and coaches there? what games and clubs exist? and many would have never heard of the Campeonato Português de Rugby–or the Portuguese Premiership But Last Word On Rugby are pleased to give […]

Portugal and Belgium squared off in a tight and exhilarating rugby match this weekend, with the Os Lobos toppling rivals the Diables Noirs. Thanks to a brilliant first half, Portugal rugby were able to deliver fans a great victory and overcome Belgium 26-21. European Nations Cup 2016/17 Portugal dominated the first half, scoring four tries and reaching 26 points […]