RUGBY

[ad_1] After a torrid 12 months on and off the pitch, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has outlined its five-year plan for the future of the game in Wales.Fittingly during a general election, the governing body has unveiled what is, in effect, its manifesto for rebuilding the national sport.New chief executive Abi Tierney said the WRU aims to improve the men's and women's national teams as well as the regions,

[ad_1] All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has shared some of the details around his theme for the All Blacks in his first year in charge. The Super-coach who won seven Super Rugby titles in seven years with the Crusaders is renown for his theming, but they often remain a closely guarded secret. Speaking to members of the public and sections of media at the All Blacks season launch in

[ad_1] The Springboks provided good news on the injury front following concerns about several players carrying minor injuries ahead of the series against Ireland. Rassie Erasmus named a strong squad of 39 players and an additional 14 players on a standby list for the two-Test series against Ireland, which gets underway next Saturday in Pretoria. LISTEN: Why Boks are buzzing Cheslin Kolbe (knee) and Lukhanyo Am (rib) – who joined

[ad_1] A Set small text size A Set the default text size A Set large text size For over 40 years, State of Origin has ruled supreme in the NRL, symbolising both bitter tribal rivalry and footballing excellence. Rugby shares a similar state rivalry and predominantly relies on the talent produced by Queensland and New South Wales. The concept of a State of Union was never necessary for most of

[ad_1] In addition to confirming Kolisi's retention as captain, Erasmus said full-back Willie le Roux and wing Cheslin Kolbe are both fit to face Ireland in the opening Test in Pretoria on 6 July. "Willie and Cheslin are clear to play, but we'll have to manage [wings] Edwill van der Merwe and Makazole Mapimpi. Both of them stand a chance of being available for Ireland," said Erasmus, who returned as

[ad_1] England will face stiff opposition from Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne if in-form Blues No8 Hoskins Sotutu decides to give up hopes of breaking back into the All Blacks squad.The 25-year-old played a huge role in helping the Blues win the Super Rugby Pacific title against the Chiefs last weekend but then found himself surplus to requirements as Scott Robertson, the new All Blacks head coach, left him

[ad_1] Garry Ringrose says that he finds something to admire in Damian de Allende’s admission that the Springboks are “desperate” to beat Ireland in the upcoming Test series. Several senior Springboks, including Eben Etzebeth and Damian de Allende, have started stoking the fire for the two-Test series, that will see the two-time defending world champions look to get their first win against Ireland since 2016. LISTEN: Why Boks are buzzing

[ad_1] A Set small text size A Set the default text size A Set large text size Ten months after overseeing Fiji’s greatest World Cup victory by upsetting the Wallabies in Saint Etienne, Simon Raiwalui is set to become the head of performance at the Waratahs.In a full-circle moment for Raiwalui, who moved to Tempe in Sydney with his mother at a young age before starting out his remarkable rugby

[ad_1] An already-intense rivalry between Ireland and South Africa has been spiced up by comments made by the Springboks in recent weeks, with Eben Etzebeth and Damian de Allende among those to have stoked the flames.De Allende spoke of how the Springboks felt "disrespected" by heavy media criticism after a crushing defeat by Ireland in Dublin in 2017, while Etzebeth said the Irish had been "arrogant" by telling South Africa's

[ad_1] Superstar speedster Maddison Levi steadfastly believes Australia’s all-conquering women’s sevens team can overcome a mounting injury toll and bring home gold from the Paris Olympics.Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, a hero of Australia’s 2022 Commonwealth Games and Rugby Sevens World Cup successes, was the latest influential figure ruled out of the Games this week.Lefau-Fakaosilea – the niece of 2023 Wallabies World Cup captain Will Skelton – suffered a devastating ACL injury during