Southern Hemisphere
Rumours that Damian McKenzie could feature for the Leicester Tigers in 2018 have gathered momentum this week, but the reliability of information coming out of the UK is inconsistent at best. All that talk is just that though – talk. If it happens, and it’s a big if at this point, McKenzie’s departure would be […]
The Super Rugby semifinals are the closest to test match rugby, that you can get. The players will all tell you the speed is faster, the hits harder and the result more important. With every side only having lost three or less matches all season, they are used to one result.
Someone at SANZAAR is under fire. At a time when their competition is reaching it’s zenith, they seem to be more concerned with pleasing their regional parties, than choosing the brightest and best from within the competition. Their Sanzaar Team of the Week is wholly representative of form, and is being questioned by punters and […]
The Chiefs semifinal hopes may rest with Damian McKenzie in Saturday’s do-or-die Super Rugby semifinal clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch. McKenzie, 22, is currently riding the waves of his most impressive Super Rugby season yet. ‘The smiling assassin’ insists he doesn’t deliberately look for the camera just before starting his kicking routine. The stillness, […]
With the departure of Dave Rennie looming, former Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper will take over the Chiefs following the 2017 Super Rugby season. Cooper has signed a three-year deal with the Chiefs, but he will resume his role as Maori All Blacks coach for their big clash against the British & Irish Lions in 2017. […]
The increased focus from both traditional rugby players as well as athletes from other sports, shows how the lure of the Olympic movement in rugby sevens has on sports people. That luster of gold can motivate players to see sevens now as a pathway to higher honours.
With the Aviva Premiership 2017/18 pre-season training in full flow, each of the twelve clubs have been busy recruiting ahead of the new season. Marquee signings, as well as internal club promotions. Knowing this, the 2017/18 season could be the most exciting yet in the championships history. Here is your Aviva club-by-club guide for the new faces joining […]
If fans were looking forward to some high-scoring, and exhilarating action for the Super Rugby 2017 Quarterfinals, then they might feel slightly short-changed. They had action sure, but where was the high-scoring, fast-paced action that fans are so used to? The truth is, knockout rugby necessitates a more strategic plan. Less razzle-dazzle, and more cut and […]
A late try by Shaun Stevenson was enough to ensure that the Chiefs beat Stormers in Super Rugby quarter final. Ending 17-11, the Chiefs got the job done on the road and will now take on a long 24-hour flight back to New Zealand where a clash against the Crusaders awaits in the Semi Finals. […]
Recent news has only added to the major distraction, as local and offshore player signings continue to demonstrate the pitfalls of professional rugby. Signings seem to appear out of nowhere, all the while players should be focused on competition playoffs or pre-season training. In New Zealand, several players re-signed this week, while one current All […]
This round of the 2017 Super Rugby finals series, away teams will know the pressure is on them. Knockout rugby is always a tough equation, but there is a reward if the highest placed teams suffer losses. While it does not require a sliderule and matrix anymore, in reality it still favours the top seeded team–the Emirates Lions.
The score is Australia 0 New Zealand 25. No, that is not a match scoreline, but the win/loss record for Australian Super Rugby franchises. Zero victories, and the proof is hard to swallow for the Australian Rugby Union (ARU). ARU chief executive Bill Pulver (see main picture) is a man on tenterhooks. Not only have the […]
Super Rugby Week 17 was the last week of conference competition and the teams now head into the playoff series. Super Rugby Week 17: The African Conferences Ten teams have now had their Super Rugby seasons end at the culmination of the the round robin stage of the competition, with the final eight entering the […]
They came, they saw, they conquered in style as Fiji retains Pacific Nations Cup in Apia, Samoa. It was a very entertaining game in front of a vocal crowd that turned up to witness Fiji turn on the after burners to blitz the hosts away. Fiji walloped the helpless hosts 38-16 with only the boot […]
The fact is, since the Chiefs beat Brumbies, the Hurricanes did their fellow New Zealand team no favours. As they beat the Crusaders, it makes for a tougher quarter final schedule.
The Chiefs have no choice but to accept the fact that in order to win the title; they’ll have to do it away from home base. It doesn’t get any tougher than a trip to Newlands, but that is exactly what will be required.
And with these last games to be played, 17 rounds of Super Rugby will be complete by Sunday. 15 matches will have been played, two bye rounds and come Sunday, results will have established who is top seed. With this weekends Super Rugby final round, the forecast will be for the leaders to show their credentials. […]
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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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
The Toronto Arrows will not play in the 2024 MLR season. The breaking news was announced on Monday night that the Arrows will not play participate in 2024, after exhaustive efforts to sustain the organisation. A sad result for the franchise, who came into Major League Rugby in 2019 (the other being Rugby United New […]
About Author
Michael Pulman
Michael Pulman is a contributor for Last Word On Rugby and writes regular content with a New Zealand focus. Beginning as a blogger on his own and through various other platforms, Mike has gone on to become a genuine sports reporter, covering NZ Rugby and all competitions domestic, and Internationally, as well as Cricket.