Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
If changes made to the All Blacks squad named ahead of the Tri-Nations test are to allow for player rotation, that is one thing. If not then it must be for experimentation’s sake. That, in itself, is not an alien tactic for rugby teams. The Wallabies are themselves experimenting to a degree, yet the situations […] 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
As has happened before, the All Blacks win at Eden Park was both comfortable, and one where a new star was given his first opportunity to shine. Caleb Clarke had his first start with the national team, after debuting from the bench a week earlier. And as the 21-year old demonstrated his monster athletic form, […] READ MORE
The rumours of the possible Springboks Rugby Championship exit has had rugby supporters around the world watching with keen interest to see what would eventually transpire. Would they or wouldn’t they? Springboks Rugby Championship withdrawal Back in August, Ryan Jordan was sceptical that the Springboks Rugby Championship defence would happen. Some of the circumstances have […] READ MORE
All that, as in ‘all that good’ insinuates that the 2020 Wallabies are of vast difference to sides of previous years/eras after just one test. This is after one match so jumping the gun, however, that is how some Australian media and former players are reacting. Speaking of times where the All Blacks aura has […] READ MORE
As neither side will be particularly happy with a drawn test match, one side will have a better grasp on how well they played (than the other). Both sides will feel displeased to not take away the advantage in the annual trans-Tasman contest yet, Dave Rennie will feel much better because his side held the […] READ MORE
This first match of the two-game series for the Bledisloe Cup with be played on Kiwi soil between New Zealand and Australia. With that, the return to International rugby has begun. Suitably, the same nation who was the first to restart domestic rugby back in May, New Zealand will host the first of the annual […] READ MORE
Phoning in for a radio interview, John Eales laconically states, “if I hadn’t got that kick, you might not be speaking to me.” That kick being the one in 2000 where, in Wellington, he sunk the hearts of All Blacks fans. Recapturing the Bledisloe Cup, it was a moment where one player stepped up. With […] READ MORE
With the Bledisloe Cup home tests sealed, you might assume that New Zealand Rugby were jumping for joy after announcing the two fixtures. Yet there is ‘trouble at mill’. Two matches, each uniquely scheduled for a Sunday kick-off is the bouquet. However, the trouble it took to secure those, the ignominy and frustrations caused the […] READ MORE
The Rugby Championship 2020 is set to go ahead in New Zealand at the back end of the year, between 7 November and 12 December, in an attempt to catch up on a tournament that could not take place during its normal time-slot due to the COVID-19 pandemic. New Zealand’s appeal New Zealand has successfully […] READ MORE
Ryan is the Managing Editor at Last Word on Rugby and resides in Johannesburg, South Africa. He specializes in opinion pieces relating to International rugby, Super Rugby and domestic rugby in South Africa.
His career highlights include being granted media accreditation for the Rugby World Cup tournament.