They say the hallmark of a good team is when they win without playing well, and New Zealand triumphed in this one by some margin despite this uncharacteristically sloppy showing. Playing…
Tournaments
Australia have a gem in McMahon
Like Georgian props, Springbok locks and Fijian wingers, Australia seem to have a conveyor belt of talent at openside with no end in sight. England felt the full force of…
Parisse out of Italy World Cup finale
One of the biggest disappointments of the World Cup will be that Italy star Sergio Parisse managed just 64 minutes during the Azzurri’s Pool D campaign. It’s no coincidence that…
Nonu set for landmark 100th Test cap
Ma’a Nonu is set to join the ranks of some of the finest rugby players ever when he makes his 100th Test appearance for New Zealand against Tonga on Friday evening.…
Giteau: Mitchell belongs with Lomu on the pitch but sucks at his video game
Bryan Habana matched Jonah Lomu’s all-time World Cup try-scoring record on Wednesday, but Australia’s Drew Mitchell is hot on his heels. Toulon wing Mitchell, whose international exile was ended this…
Warren Gatland backs Stuart Lancaster after ‘media assassination’
Warren Gatland has shown his support to his embattled England counterpart Stuart Lancaster, saying the coach as been through an ‘assassination by the media’. A number of journalists and former…
Losing Sam Burgess now would be a complete and utter waste
Hey, English Rugby. I’ve an idea. See Sam Burgess there? The one who came from League amid unbearably enormous hype and was fast-tracked into the national set-up, where the coaches…
France have no qualms over targeting Sexton
Jonathan Sexton will have to prove once again that he can cope under pressure with France admitting they will target him in Sunday’s decisive Pool D fixture in Cardiff. The…
Gatland chancing his arm against Australia
Warren Gatland has never been afraid of making big calls and it’s fair to say he’s made a couple for Wales’ crucial Pool A clash with Australia on Saturday. The…
Rob Baxter backs Henry Slade to bounce back from England disappointment
Whatever happens in the aftermath of England’s disastrous World Cup campaign, Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has no concerns about his players returning from international duty. While he firmly…