Juan Pablo Socino will make his Newcastle Falcons return on Saturday against Worcester Warriors after returning from his country’s World Cup semi-final efforts. The versatile midfielder played a key role in Newcastle’s survival last season as both a running threat and high percentage goal kicker. Socino played only a bit …
Read More »Implications of RWC 2019 Draw being made in 2016
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 »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 »All Blacks outstretch combative Tonga
New Zealand claimed a decisive victory over Tonga in Newcastle on Friday, but not without difficulties. The Tongan forwards gave their counterparts all they could handle for large stretches, and had the All Black scrum on skates towards the end of the second half. While Tonga may not have come …
Read More »New Zealand and Tonga set to collide
The All Blacks will face Tonga in Newcastle on Friday as they look to close out their Pool C matches in style. Only a monumental upset by Tonga would have any impact on the standings, with Georgia just ahead on two points and virtual certainties to qualify for the 2019 …
Read More »RWC Forecast Round 3b
Into the big weekend with some games doubling as extra knock-outs. Can Japan pick themselves up again after the tough match against Scotland? Does Samoa have another gear? Will England dig themselves out of the abyss with the Wallabies ready to trample on their dreams? Paul is our token ‘South American’ with …
Read More »Argentina and Tonga set for battle
Argentina and Tonga have named their teams for their historic Pool C match in Leicester on Sunday. This will be the first ever meeting of the two in test rugby. Both sides are coming off a win, and field strong lineups for a match that will ensure automatic qualification for …
Read More »Tonga defeat Namibia in Exeter
Tonga came away winners over Namibia by a 35-21 score in a very entertaining match at Sandy Park in Exeter on Tuesday. The Tongans outscored their opponents by five tries to two, but some wayward kicking and discipline issues kept the Namibians in the match. Telusa Veainu was a late …
Read More »RWC Forecast Round 3a
Hard to believe we’re already into week 3! The games are getting tougher, attrition is starting to become more of a factor, and a couple wild upsets have us all second guessing our picks. We’re splitting up the week once again, with our midweek choices up now and the weekend …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol. 1, Iss. 16): 24 Team World Cup
As a fan of the global game I take greater pleasure out of watching the pool phase of Rugby World Cups than many people certainly do but now this appears to have changed, and for the better. So good have the group matches been that we have been treated to more …
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