French Head Coach Phillipe Saint-André has named his line-up for Saturday’s Quarter Final against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The fixture is to be a repeat of the fixture from eight years ago in which the host nation of Rugby World Cup 2007 played and defeated the …
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Talking Rugby (Vol. 2, Iss. 17): Eagles’ RWC, That’s a Wrap!
I have attempted to write this piece twice (three times now) since the start of the World Cup. First attempt was after the Samoa match, then again after Scotland. I had planned to use Talking Rugby as a running commentary on the USA’s World Cup performance. Those plans fell by …
Read More »South Africa Change One for Quarter Final Clash
South African Headcoach Heyneke Meyer has recalled winger JP Pietersen in the only change to his starting lineup for South Africa’s Quarter Final encounter against Wales in London on Saturday. The team is otherwise unchanged from that which defeated the USA Eagles last week, also in London. A win for …
Read More »Figallo recalled for injured Tetaz Chaparro
A World Cup ending injury to Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro has seen a late change ahead of Sunday’s Quarter Final against Ireland in Cardiff, Wales. The La Plata front-rower suffered a bicep injury in training earlier today and will play no further part in the tournament. This has enabled Salta prop …
Read More »US Pro League Announcement Coming?
In the wake of the disappointing performance from the USA at the Rugby World Cup, multiple sources have confirmed with Americas Rugby News that there could be an announcement from USA Rugby/RIM by the end of the month regarding the creation of a professional competition. USAR/RIM having obviously learned some lessons …
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 Australia If there was any doubt that the Wallabies were up for it, there is none now. A magnificent 10-plus …
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 »Ireland best France to top Pool D
Ireland secured top spot in Pool D with a hard-earned 24-9 victory over France in Cardiff on Sunday. Joe Schmidt’s men will be ecstatic with the win, but will have to consider the heavy cost as they suffered injuries to key players Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony, Jonny Sexton, and Keith …
Read More »Japan Defeat USA to Finish Record RWC
Japan finished off their record Rugby World Cup with a 28-18 win over the USA at Kingsholm. The victory gives the Brave Blossoms a 3-1 record in pool play. Unfortunately for the side, Scotland’s narrow win over Samoa means that Japan becomes the first team in World Cup history to …
Read More »England rout Uruguay in Manchester
England ended their World Cup on a slightly better note as they walloped Uruguay by a score of 60-3 in Manchester. Nick Easter and Jack Nowell each scored hat tricks, while Anthony Watson added two tries to a single by Henry Slade. Felipe Berchesi’s 2nd minute penalty gave Los Teros …
Read More »Australia hold out against Welsh tide
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 …
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 …
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 »France and Ireland contest top Pool D slot
France will fight it out with Ireland for the top spot in Pool D on Sunday at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. The winner takes on Argentina in the quarter-finals, while the loser faces the All Blacks. Neither road looks easy, though the psychological boost from victory will be a …
Read More »Italy and Romania playing for 2019
Italy and Romania have announced their teams for their vital Pool D match in Exeter on Sunday. The game will serve as a straight knock-out of sorts as the winner automatically qualifies for the 2019 World Cup. Both sides will have to compete without their respective captains, with Sergio Parisse …
Read More »All change for Eagles against Japan
After suffering a serious beating at the hands of South Africa on Wednesday, head coach Mike Tolkin has returned to his first choice side for his team’s final Pool B match in Gloucester. Whether the game will have any importance beyond being an advert for two rising nations will be …
Read More »Japan freshen side for Eagles match
Eddie Jones has made four changes to the team that dominated Samoa in Milton Keynes for their final pool match against the USA on Sunday. The Brave Blossoms will need a little help from Samoa on Saturday to make the game meaningful. If Scotland win, Japan are out. Hiroshi Yamashita …
Read More »Reserve Pumas team to face Namibia
Martín Landajo will captain a makeshift Argentina side against Namibia on Sunday. Having already qualified for the quarter-finals, head coach Daniel Hourcade has opted to rest a number of his front line players and give opportunities to others. Guido Petti is the only surviving member of the tight five left …
Read More »Mass changes for Namibia against Argentina
Phil Davies has shaken up his Namibian team as they prepare to face Argentina in Leicester on Sunday. Eleven changes in all from the team that came so close to Georgia, including a new skipper as Jacques Burger has been forced out of his international swansong with concussion. Rohan Kitsoff …
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