Confirmation that the draw for Rugby World Cup 2019 draw will be made some time in 2016 brings new meaning to the importance of international rugby in 2016. The lesson of England crashing out at the pool stage after losing against Wales and Australia ought to be noted by all. …
Read More »Up And Under
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 …
Read More »Wallabies tiptoe past unlucky Scots
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 …
Read More »Sexton out, Scots duo in for RWC QFs
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 …
Read More »RWC Forecast – Quarter-Finals
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 …
Read More »Australia without Folau and Pocock
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 …
Read More »Depleted Scots to face Australia
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 …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol. 1, Iss. 18): Rethinking Eligibility Laws
It took a long time for my colleagues and I here at Americas Rugby News to compile the list of foreign-born players involved in the ongoing Rugby World Cup. This was due to there simply being so many players picked for the tournament who are playing for countries other than …
Read More »Laidlaw saves Scots from Samoa
Scotland were given an almighty scare by Samoa in their pivotal Pool B match in Newcastle, escaping with a 36-33 win thanks to a late Greig Laidlaw try to secure their spot in the quarter-finals. The victory ends Japanese hopes of making the knock-outs despite the likelihood of them finishing …
Read More »RWC Forecast Round 4b
Last weekend of the pool stages and there’s some very contentious match-ups all across the board. Who will top Pool D? Can Romania upset Italy to qualify for 2019? Will Japan find a way into the quarters? Here we go! Chris and Victor appear to be lost in the barrens, but we’ve …
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