Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
By direct comparison between the Australian and New Zealand franchises, rugby fans can find where Super Rugby Trans-Tasman form has been established. Each competition crowned their own separate Super Rugby champions Saturday night; the second year that local teams claimed each nation’s domestic trophies. Now, the two opposing forces collide in a cross-border format that […] READ MORE
Prized as highly as the Webb Ellis Cup, the Bledisloe Cup was secured [yet again] in Sydney, as the All Blacks defeated the Wallabies 5-43. Playing on hostile ground, it was hyped as a test in the balance. Pundits had more confidence in the Australian team holding their ground on home soil. Holding off a […] READ MORE
With twenty-five minutes on the clock in the highest-profile game of rugby in months, the Crusaders went down six points. Rieko Ioane had just demonstrated his trademark finishing ability, by carrying two Crusaders with him as he muscled his way over the tryline for the Blues. Ioane’s try had handed his team the ascendancy, (with […] READ MORE
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 […] READ MORE
Here is Robert Rees‘ Rugby World Cup team of the tournament (so far). 20 games into the 42 match event, and plenty of World Rugby’s superstars have shone. After gauging the results and performances, this is in Rob’s opinion, the outstanding XV players in the Rugby World Cup, so far. 1. Jefferson Poirot (France) The French […] READ MORE
Some considered Beauden Barrett at fullback a waste. Yet as the Barrett/Mo’unga combination flourishes after the Bledisloe Cup win on Saturday night it may be now seen as a masterstroke, particularly after the 36-0 victory over Australia. The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year had been assigned the fullback jersey (for the opening tests […] READ MORE
The first game of the second week saw the two premier teams in Rugby Championship 2019, New Zealand and South Africa, clash in what has historically been tight, combative game. In last year’s tournament, only two points separated the teams both times they faced each other. Rugby Championship 2019 It was an equally cagey affair […] READ MORE
In the first match of the 2019 Super Rugby playoffs, it was a more confident Crusaders team that dismantled a strong challenge from the Highlanders, 38-14. In a masterclass performance, led by Richie Mo’unga and Kieran Read, the Crusaders began their Finals Series with a positive outcome. It came via a difficult and thorough challenge […] READ MORE
By comparison, Richie Mo’unga is the new ‘Big Stepper’ on the Rugby Scene, with displays in Super Rugby shading competitions like the Premiership (for one). That is not to say that none of the current crop of first five-eighths in the game are not as adept at stepping. It is just so obvious when you watch […] READ MORE
It was supposed to be the other way around. The All Blacks were supposed to play an exceptional match in their Rugby Championship game against Argentina. The fresh talent was supposed to shine on the big stage. Instead, it was the host city and venue who shone brightest, as the All Blacks stuttered to a 46-24 […] READ MORE