Super Rugby
Nearly 35,000 turned out on Sunday afternoon, as delighted Blues Super Rugby fans were back in the winning mood they have grown [a little] used to. The 21-17 victory was tough on the field; the Chiefs may have suffered a series of losses but, they pushed the home side right to the final whistle. And […]
When he was needed most, Richie Mo’unga answered the call of his Crusaders team, to direct them towards a win in a local derby victory over the Blues. The All Blacks and Crusaders first-five was again at his prominent best, in driving his side for the entire 80 minutes. And that fact will be where […]
For over a week now, the New Zealand Rugby trial match format and the North v South eligibility criteria have been hotly discussed subject. Ian Foster, head coach elect, has been promoting and arbitrating for the ‘pseudo All Blacks trial match’. In a note to the past, the North v South Island trial has been […]
The world is going through a tough time right now, which includes the rugby union community. However, it is not just a human toll, but an economic toll. This includes southern hemisphere countries with both Super Rugby and PRO14 teams. COVID’s impact on the southern hemisphere Africa South Africa According to RugbyPass, South Africa Rugby […]
Auckland Blues star back Beauden Barrett has announced he’ll take a year off from Super Rugby to play in Japan, with the contract thought to be worth nearly £800,000. Beauden Barrett bids goodbye! Beauden Barrett, who signed a four year deal with the NZRU last year will miss the 2021 Super Rugby season to play […]
The frustration was clear to see, with Warren Gatland experiencing a lean spell of wins with his Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. After gaining four wins in the pre-Covid19 regular season, since the new Super Rugby Aotearoa competition resumed his side can hardly buy a win. Three losses from three matches and the close results are […]
Over the years there has been a natural divide for fans, players and coaches alike when it comes to rugby league and rugby union. However, some players have switched between the codes and Last Word on Rugby has decided to look at five of the best players to play both. Sonny Bill Williams Sonny Bill […]
Not only winning their two opening matches but, at the return of professional rugby there has been unheralded success for the Blues Super Rugby franchise in what is an incredibly ‘jolted’ season. With the Coronavirus pandemic ending the regular Super Rugby season just as the Blues Super Rugby team had won four matches and were […]
When numbers count, the figures for attendance at Super Rugby Aotearoa matches in rounds one and two may reach unfamiliar heights. Yet, in unfamiliar times [Covid-19 enforced] something that is positive is very much required. The positives from rugby resuming are untold. In terms of social importance, in participation in part by the teams as […]
In the southern hemisphere, Australia and New Zealand have five cities that play host to both professional rugby league and union teams. The game has a wide reach throughout the region; Australasia, the Pacific, and across the Southern Hemisphere. Fan loyalty can be engrained, although, at times, it might be whichever game has the most […]
While strategic to new breakdown law variations, the recent changes to the ruck have been received positively. Super Rugby Aotearoa wants to test these innovations, to judge how successful the law variations will be taken to by players and referees. Last Word on Rugby’s resident rugby referee, Scott MacLean, has cast his eye over breakdown […]
From the intense Covid-19 personal health and family focus of the last few months, it now switches back to one of a ‘rugby training mode’ for both men and women across the rugby-globe. Moving from the life-affecting changes to society and to the state of rugby worldwide was monumental for all. One which the Coronavirus […]
Usually wearing a red jersey, Dan Carter will now be [strangely] in Blue. He has now signed as a utility back for the Blues Super Rugby franchise. No, you’re not dreaming. The three-time Super Rugby title winner has 141 caps with the Crusaders and is a surprise signing. It is also a huge boost for […]
Not always, but for the most, a red card in a rugby match is tantamount to a ‘give way’ sign. The defensive effort is often too much – especially if that occurred in the opening half or the third quarter. But as Super Rugby Aotearoa gets set to return, some law variations being trialed will […]
The rush to get sport up and running again brings up a unique consideration. With nobody cheering them on, is a rugby game exciting without a Crowd? As Covid-19 health conditions restrict crowds gathering in large numbers in New Zealand, Australia, and across the globe, what will the atmosphere feel like? That is, in comparison […]
Jaguares Super Rugby success in 2019 was no accident, but rather the result of years of planning. They were given opportunities and they used all of them. This could prove to be an advantage to their national team, Los Pumas, in the upcoming Rugby World Cup. The Jaguares were certainly not embarrassed in the Super […]
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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
Scott Hornell, Managing Editor
Scott is building a strong base in Journalism and Online Sports reporting, and he is our Managing Editor for the LWOS Rugby department.
Scott produces content on both Rugby, League and contributes towards his other passion - Motorsports.
Scott currently reports on Super Rugby/Bunnings NPC, and the Rugby Championship/International rugby, as well as the NRL.