Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
As expected the All Blacks fortress that is Eden Park delivered once again, as Steve Hansen’s side ran out 30-15 winners over the Lions. it proved true, with the All Blacks just too good for the Lions, who entered this match with high expectations. Ironically the Lions conducted themselves very well, and will be pleased with […] READ MORE
While the execution let the side down in the end; in the opening attacking play, and in the middle of the second half, this Lions team showed the glimpses that everyone knew they possessed. Quality players, good motivation and combined strength. But with mixed messages issued from the coaches box, it had a counter-intuitive affect. READ MORE
It’s the news that everyone was dreading – two-time Six Nations ‘player of the year’ Stuart Hogg has been ruled out of the remainder of the Lions tour after a freak accidental collision with Connor Murray. This had led to discussion about the leading candidates for the vacant Stuart Hogg fullback position. Though he was […] READ MORE
Ireland has provided six of the last nine winners for the Guiness Pro12 and 60% of the play-off teams for the last five years and no team has won an away semi-final in the Pro12 era. In short: the Welsh battalion has a lot on their hands. Scarlets and Ospreys travel across the Irish sea to take […] READ MORE
Picture New Zealand as a metaphorical ‘rugby terrain’ and consider Warren Gatland and his British and Irish Lions as the group charged with ‘negotiating it’. To do that Gatland must first experiment with his squad, and especially the Lions backline depth, to find the winning combination before June 24. Returning from Whangarei, after the tour […] READ MORE
With more players taking up lucrative overseas contracts, the mid-season player movements from NZ Rugby seem to be more distraction, than good for the game READ MORE
After an enthralling opening weekend in the 2017 RBS Six Nations, LWOR looks at how Wales can beat England in Cardiff this coming Saturday. READ MORE
Celebrating our game, Last Word On Rugby have combined the wealth of knowledge from all our staff and writers, to come up with the MC50 Most Influential Player Series. A list that profiles the many and growing number of players in World Rugby who are either the MVP of their country, competition or code: we […] READ MORE
With the New Year fast approaching, Last Word On Rugby are reflecting back on a fine year. From the International matches to the Sevens at the Olympic Games, the ‘LWOR highlights for 2016’ are a wide and varied account. As part of our MCXM Top 10 memories of 2016, the fourth in our series has contributions from NZ rugby specialist Mike […] READ MORE
Wales ease past disorganized Springboks to earn a 27-13 win over South Africa with a late try from flanker Justin Tipuric. It was far from an open game however, with few chances created. First Half The first half was a close encounter, mainly dominated by forward play and slow ball, ending 12-6 (the score of the […] READ MORE