The race for the quarterfinalists out of Pool B at the Rugby World Cup is going to be interesting. It could become even more so depending on the outcome of the Samoa/South Africa match on Saturday. With a loss already on their books, South Africa cannot afford another stumble. Samoa, …
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UAR to Appeal Mariano Galarza Suspension
The UAR’s Executive Committee has expressed their total support to second-rower Mariano Galarza who was banned yesterday for 9 weeks by World Rugby, thereby ending his Rugby World Cup campaign. Argentina believes firmly that the decision by Judicial Officer Christopher Quinlan QC (England) to have been unjust. Upon banning Galarza …
Read More »Ardron back to lead Canada against Italy
Tyler Ardron has recovered from a knee injury in time to lead Canada against Italy in their critical Pool D match this Saturday at Elland Road. The Ospreys no8 is one of six changes to the run-on side that fell to Ireland on Saturday, with two more new faces on …
Read More »Pritchard back in Canada squad
Never say never. Canada’s all-time leading points scorer James Pritchard will play in his fourth World Cup after all. The fullback has been called out of short-lived retirement into the World Cup squad as a replacement for injury-stricken Liam Underwood, who damaged a knee in the 75th minute of the …
Read More »Teams named for England vs Wales
Stuart Lancaster and Warren Gatland have named their lineups for Saturday’s must-win Pool A match in London. The winner will all but secure a place in the quarter-finals while the loser will require a win over Australia to have any chance of advancing. Lancaster has opted for a new midfield with …
Read More »Sloppy France rout Romania
The scoreline ended heavily in favour of France, but their performance left much to be desired, with scenes of a demonstratively furious Philippe Saint-André in the change room at half time underlining the frustration of the head coach. Romania exerted their dominance early at the scrum and piled into the …
Read More »Australia Struggle to Deliver against Fiji
The final Pool A team to open its campaign, Australia completed an unconvincing 28-13 win over Fiji in Cardiff. The result came close to mirroring that of England vs Fiji on the opening night with the difference being Australia were unable to seal a bonus point win as the Wallabies …
Read More »Georgia Name Top side for Pumas
Looking to back-up from an opening round win over Tonga Georgia will take-on Argentina on Friday with an unchanged lineup. Head Coach Milton Haig now has his sights on bigger things with a win all but securing a first ever Quarter Final’s appearance for Georgia. Reaching the knock-out stage, though, …
Read More »Hourcade makes Three Changes for Georgia
In search for a first win at the World Cup Head Coach Daniel Hourcade has made three changes to face Georgia in Gloucester on Friday. All three of the alternations come in the forwards with Matías Alemanno, Facundo Isa and Juan Manuel Leguizamón replacing Guido Petti, Leonardo Senatore and Pablo …
Read More »Scotland Dash any Hopes of Japan Repeat
Japan was thwarted in their quest to further shake the chains of the rugby world as they were defeated 45-10 by Scotland at Kingsholm. The score didn’t completely reflect the effort put in by Japan. The Brave Blossoms only trailed 12-7 at halftime and were as close as 12-10 in …
Read More »South Africa Make Eight Changes for Samoa
South African Head Coach Heyneke Meyer has made eight changes to the Springboks starting lineup for Saturday’s pool match against Samoa in Birmingham. Having lost first up against Japan the match is a must win for the 1995 and 2007 World Cup winners. Toulon back-rower Duane Vermeulen has been declared …
Read More »RWC Forecast Round 2a
Predictions take 2… a? As the ’rounds’ start to mesh in with each other, we’re going to have to break up our week into two parts, so here are the mid-week matches from Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Before we get into it, a quick review of what happened last round. …
Read More »USA 7s Team Back in Camp
With just a little over two months until the opening round of the HSBC World Series, the USA 7s team heads back to camp this week as the squad continues their buildup. With 7s veterans Zach Test, Andrew Durutalo, Folau Niua, and Danny Barrett out on World Cup duty, Head Coach Mike …
Read More »Namibia names team to face All Blacks
Phil Davies has named Namibia’s team for their opening World Cup fixtures against New Zealand on Thursday. The Welwitschias will ride a four-test win streak into the tournament, including two convincing wins over Russia in Windhoek during July. The lineup appears to be largely first choice, with Cheetahs hooker Torsten …
Read More »All Blacks Change 12 for Namibia
New Zealand Head Coach Steve Hanson has rung the changes with only three players named to start against Namibia who also did so against Argentina on Sunday. Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea and Sam Whitelock are those retained with Richie McCaw’s replacement Sam Cane also taking over the captaincy. So strong …
Read More »Galarza Cited for Alleged Foul Play
Argentine forward Mariano Galarza has been cited by the Citing Commissioner Murray Whyte of Ireland for an alleged act of foul play contrary to Law 10,4(m) during his country’s match against New Zealand in London on Sunday. The case is to be heard by Independent Judicial Officer Christopher Quinlan QC …
Read More »Japan Set to Remain RWC 2019 Hosts
The governing body of the sport of rugby, World Rugby is expected to confirm that Japan will remain the host nation of Rugby World Cup 2019. The Asian country had come under fire from World Rugby after construction of the new national stadium was cancelled. According to L’Equipe Japan will …
Read More »Week 2 ARP Wrapup
Amidst the opening weekend of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the American Rugby Premiership (ARP) finished Week 2 of their season with one match on the schedule. The competition takes a one-week break before it kicks off in full force on October 3rd with a full slate of matches. Week …
Read More »Team of the Week
Not the greatest starting weekend for the Americas teams, it has to be said, though Argentina did close it out with a full-blooded performance against the All Blacks. Suitably the Pumas are rewarded in this week’s selection, with very few exceptions. 1 – Marcos Ayerza (ARG) Smashed Owen Franks at …
Read More »Masi’s World Cup over with torn Achilles
Italy have suffered a major blow to their World Cup chances as the vastly experienced Andrea Masi has been ruled out with a snapped Achilles tendon suffered against France. Zebre winger Michele Visentin, one of the last cut from the training group, has been called up as a replacement, and may …
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