Australia

England’s Wayne Barnes and Jérôme Garcès of France have been appointed as referees for the World Cup semi-finals. Barnes comes as no surprise having been in impressive form throughout the tournament. He will oversee the second match between Argentina and Australia on Sunday October 25. Saturday’s meeting between New Zealand …

For the second time in eight years Argentina will play in a Rugby World Cup Semi Final. The South American country of 43 million will face the two-time World Champions Australia next Sunday with the winner joining either New Zealand or South Africa. The translation of this, in rugby terms, …

The Up and Under is a weekly feature on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.   UP Julian Savea He started the season overweight and – if we’re honest – pretty out of form. Even in the …

Scotland saw their semi-final hopes dashed when Bernard Foley’s kick sailed through the uprights with a minute to spare, earning Australia a famous 35-34 victory in a thrilling match that will live long in the memory. Among other reasons, the contentious nature of key decisions from referee Craig Joubert will …

Ireland have suffered another hammer blow ahead of their quarter-final against Argentina on Sunday as Jonny Sexton has been forced to withdraw with a groin injury. The star goal kicker was injured in the final pool game against France but was earlier in the week declared fit for duty. Sadly …

Well the pool stages are now done and dusted, 40 matches gone by the wayside with 12 teams back for an early round of golf. That means it’s business time, and there are some tasty match-ups for the quarters, with zero unanimous picks! The standings after the pool stages have …

Wallaby stars Israel Folau and David Pocock will miss out on the quarter-final against Scotland through injury. Australia’s impressive strength in depth, however, is apparent with Kurtley Beale lining up at fullback and Ben McCalman filling in at the back of the scrum. Michael Hooper returns from suspension to take …

Scotland will have to make due without first choice forwards Ross Ford and Jonny Gray for their quarter-final fixture against the Wallabies on Sunday. The pair were suspended for three weeks for a dangerous double-tackle on Jack Lam in the final pool match against Samoa. An appeal will be heard …

The Up and Under is a weekly feature on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.   UP Australia If there was any doubt that the Wallabies were up for it, there is none now. A magnificent 10-plus …

Australia came away 15-6 winners over Wales in a stirring encounter at Twickenham on Saturday. Though neither side managed to cross the line, there was no shortage of attacking endeavour, with a magnificent defensive stand by the Wallabies in the second half proving the defining period of the game. Wales …