So much for Aussie innovation and French flair. Last weekend’s second Test in Melbourne was one of the biggest borefests in modern memory. A scoreless first half followed by a…
Countries
England 38-7 Crusaders: England get their win in loose affair
It was billed as a ‘fourth Test’ on England’s tour of New Zealand, but in the end England won efficiently if unspectacularly against the Crusaders. The visitors did just enough…
Owen Farrell out of third Test
Owen Farrell has been ruled out of the third Test of England’s tour of New Zealand having pulled up with knee ligament damage. The news, which came just before England…
Wales v South Africa: Five things we’ve learned
The gap is widening This week Warren Gatland will feel as though he has gone from O.B.E to OMG. There was a stage when the performance gap between Wales and…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints Super Smith New Zealand pipped England 28-27 in a ding-dong Test match battle on Saturday, and so took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The brightest spark…
New Zealand v England 2: Five things we’ve learnt
Chris Robshaw's side lost by just one point in Dunedin on Saturday – but what lessons to they need to take from the defeat into this weekend's third and final
All Blacks without Conrad Smith for third England Test
Influential All Blacks centre Conrad Smith is out of the third Test against England in Hamilton this Saturday. Having played an influential role in New Zealand’s 28-27 win in the…
England v Crusaders: England hunting spirited win
During the naming of the England squad to face the Canterbury Crusaders on the Tuesday night before the third and final Test in Hamilton, mid-week captain Ed Slater explained how…
Argentina 17-23 Ireland: The Verdict
The positives Ireland’s set piece dominated that of Argentina, a side who are renowned for being tough up front. The second Test’s stats show that Ireland won 11 of their…
New Zealand 28-27 England: A thriller from the game’s elite
When Richie McCaw said his full-back Ben Smith was “a champion” post-match, just after beating England 28-27 in the second Test in Dunedin, he held a big grin. The full-back…