NPC (National Provincial Championship)

2018 Incredible Accomplishments, Key Moments and New Years 'Rugby resolutions'

As an organization, Last Word on Rugby looks forward to the New Year, as much as anyone. We too, like to review many of the incredible accomplishments that have occurred over the past 12 months, the key moments over the calendar before making any ‘rugby resolutions’ ahead of the next year. Fondly as we might […]


It's a Super Saturday from New Zealand to Japan

Looking at the rugby-schedule, it is a Super Saturday from New Zealand to Japan. Domestic rugby finals across New Zealand, a Bledisloe Cup test in Tokyo, and many more fixtures over a 30-hour window. That is great news for rugby lovers, as well as for the exposure of rugby union into the important sports market in […]

Thames Valley the 'Cinderella story' of Heartland Championship Semifinals clashes

In every rugby season, from New Zealand to England, Ireland or Argentina, there is one team who surprise all the others. Not expected to challenge, they rise like cream to the top of the bowl. And in the 2018 major semifinals clashes, the Thames Valley Swamp Foxes is that team. The side from Boyd Park, Te […]

Sevu Reece helps to secures Waikato Rugby a Championship Final place

Four match-defining tries by Sevu Reece secured Waikato Rugby a Championship final place for 2018, after an emphatic home victory against Northland in the knockout semifinal clash on Saturday afternoon. Northland came to Hamilton’s FMG Stadium to; not only challenge for a final place but, to also get revenge for a 28-71 defeat at the hands […]

Taranaki Rugby drops through Mitre 10 Cup relegation ‘trap door'
Scott MacLean - Oct 19, 2018

The 2018 Mitre 10 Cup season will not be remembered fondly by Taranaki Rugby, with the ‘Amber and Blacks’ finishing bottom of the seven-team Division One [Premiership]. And as such of their lowly position against the premier NZ domestic rugby sides, the proud union suffered relegation to the secondary Championship tier for the 2019 season as […]

New Zealand Domestic Rugby builds toward major Semifinals

After the final regulation season game was concluded on Sunday, New Zealand Domestic Rugby is building toward the major Semifinals for all men’s and women’s rugby competition. That is for the Mitre 10 Cup; both the Premiership and the Championship. The Heartland Championship; both for the Meads Cup and the Lochore Cup. Each of those competitions […]

Derby Matches galore in the Week Five of Heartland Championshi

With so many local derby matches, the results from Week Five of the Heartland Championship has only minutely defined the standings. For fans and followers of New Zealand grassroots rugby, their focus was directed solely on the field, and on the heritage and tradition of the national provincial rugby competition. For those new to the […]

Consensus vote; NZ Rugby fans OK with 'that' result

The Consensus vote is in….. NZ Rugby fans are OK with ‘that’ result from The Rugby Championship clash last Saturday night. OK because, it is 12 months out from the RWC – and it did not occur during the knockout tournament. Do not get me wrong, it is not saying that New Zealand (NZ) rugby […]

Matt Duffie; Still looking for Perfection from Harbour Rugby in 2018

Speaking with Matt Duffie post-game, you get a sense that he – and his head coach Tom Coventry – are still looking for Perfection from Harbour Rugby in 2018. “I think, the perfect result, just not the ah… not the perfect performance of what we’ve been working on. We’re still leaking a lot of points […]

Waikato secure Ranfurly Shield, to cheers of delight from fans

To the cheers of delight from fans, the Waikato Rugby team have secured the Ranfurly Shield. They defeated holders Taranaki, to ‘steal away the silverware’ 19-33. Challenging for the Ranfurly Shield a pure motivation factor in itself. Sides who might not have demonstrated the ability, suddenly rise in stature – and that is exactly what […]

Super Saturday: Rugby Union and Rugby League overload

It is not often that Rugby Union and Rugby League fans have such conflicting match schedules, as they do on this Super Saturday. With both the All Blacks and NZ Warriors playing, it might end up as a question of sport? Which one do i watch Live? That decision is similar to other choices that […]

Harbour Rugby must 'steel themselves' ahead of Mitre 10 Cup three-match cycle

Finishing second best to the Tasman Mako on Saturday night, Harbour Rugby must now ‘steel themselves’ ahead of the Mitre 10 Cup three-match cycle; starting next Sunday afternoon versus the Wellington Lions. Ahead of what has been referred to as the ‘storm week’ – where sides play three games in ten days, head coach Tom […]

Women's rugby set to hold the ball during Super Saturday

Now that provincial rugby competitions have been up and running in NZ and South Africa, it’s the time when women’s rugby are set to ‘hold the ball’ during Super Saturday. The women selected to play in the 2018 Farah Palmer Cup, have been readying themselves. Training (see main picture) and building the important team culture, […]

Angus Ta'avau - Taking opportunity as it knocks

Angus Ta’avau, struggling Blues player, to a Waratahs & Chiefs Super Rugby player, is now taking opportunity as it ‘knocks’ when the All Blacks come calling

The One Man left standing after every game - the Rugby Referee

Looking down the barrel of another Premiership Rugby season, fans will find a focus on the players. The squads are in full readiness, for the opening Round. As well, the one person left standing after every rugby game, plays his or hers part too – the rugby referee, and the referees assistants. No glory is afforded […]

James Lash: Heartland Rugby everything he enjoys about the Game

Another weekend, and another Super Saturday. Fans find that the Heartland Championship begins, along with the crucial Black Ferns/All Blacks test matches



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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 - Aug 24, 2018

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 - Aug 24, 2018

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 - Aug 24, 2018

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 - Aug 24, 2018

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, […]