Sports news, analysis, opinions, and rumors
The highly-rated rugby league player Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is gone from his Warriors NRL side, to chase a dream of playing rugby union – and possibly the All Blacks. Often touted but on Saturday afternoon, the rumours were proved true. In a ZOOM call, Warriors management and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck himself told media that his final year […] READ MORE
If all those elements come together, after the All Black selectors make subtle changes for ARGvNZL, then The 2017 Rugby Championship title is one step closer for the current World Champions. READ MORE
From the Last Word on Rugby department. Some will reflect on the last 12 months for the Springboks, as a year in crisis. And yes, it was a dark hour, but head coach Allister Coetzee is looking ahead. Displaying new self belief in South African rugby, after the success of the Lions in Super Rugby and […] READ MORE
From the Last Word on Rugby department. Over the years of his International coaching career, Steve Hansen looks like a man who is becoming more comfortable in his role. The success of the team during his term (2004-11 Assistant/2012-present as Head Coach) appears to have given Hansen confidence to show his personality. If ever there […] READ MORE
With so many wholesale changes for All Blacks v Argentina on Saturday, it appears that the rotation is being utilized during The Rugby Championship 2017 READ MORE
From the Last Word on Rugby department. There will undoubtedly be a new significance for the Meads Cup in the Heartland Rugby Championship, 2017. In the wake of the passing of the trophies namesake, teams competing in the top division of the Championship will all seek to honour Sir Colin Meads. The Mitre 10 Heartland […] READ MORE
From the Last Word on Rugby department. Breaking News: The All Blacks management have publicly announced this afternoon that squad member Jerome Kaino has left the All Blacks team on Game Day, for ‘Personal Reasons’. This development follows unconfirmed newspaper reports published in Australia and New Zealand. These were of personal details of an ‘extra-marital affair […] READ MORE
Last Word on Rugby, by Mike Pulman. Impressive Crusaders fullback David Havili might just find himself having the opportunity to represent the All Blacks sooner than he could ever have imagined. The season is over for Jordie Barrett, all bar the medical confirmation. During the Hurricanes semifinal loss to the Lions; Barrett injured his shoulder […] READ MORE
The DHL Lions Series has concluded, with a drawn series after the 15-15 result on Saturday. The All Blacks have been held from their ambition of holding back the best of Britain. And with this second Lions series wrap it is time to reflect on the highlights and best combined starting XV. READ MORE
From the outside, the Lions series draw is not what anyone will have planned. The action on the field was of a high quality. Many of the players had tremendous affect on the outcome; Kieran Read, Maro Itoje, Rieko Ioane or Toby Faletau. And to be fair, with all the quality, the fierce contest is likely to have negated the other sides effectiveness. An indication of this is the New Zealand team usually average over 30 points in their last six years of contest. In the Lions series draw, only 22. And that might be glossing over how difficult the opposition were. So full credit, where credit is due. READ MORE
Includes collaborations of Last Word On Sports writers and guest posts from non-LWOS writers.