Now that the euphoria of the Vancouver 7s has faded it’s time to get back to serious business. To steal a phrase from Chris LeFevre’s open letter, Canadian rugby is ‘heading into the abyss’ and it’s time to start clawing our way out. Conveniently Rugby Canada’s Annual General Meeting is this …
Read More »I Urge Argentina To Relax Overseas Player Rule
I urge Argentina to relax the overseas player rule. The existing UAR policy blocks any player from playing for Los Pumas who does not play in Argentina. The only exceptions are when an individual has permission from the union to play abroad. The ruling was brought into being to attract …
Read More »Ease Up on Italy – Progress is Apparent
Recent performances against Wales and Ireland saw the Italians coming off second best without meeting expectations. Yet the past provides insight into the present and also the future. There is reason to say ease up on Italy – progress is apparent. Failures A lot has been going wrong, this cannot …
Read More »World Rugby Deserve Questioning Over Anglo Monopolized Refereeing
World Rugby deserve questioning over Anglo monopolized refereeing. In response to the past weekend’s Six Nations fixtures social media was alive with people opposed to monolingual officiating. Played on Saturday and Sunday, the opening round of the 2017 Six Nations Championship featured referees from the Top 14, Super Rugby and Aviva …
Read More »Argentina Mourns the Loss of Puma Bernardo Miguens
Argentina rugby mourns the loss of Bernardo Miguens. The former CUBA and Puma fullback suffered an accident while on vacation in Pinamar and was unable to respond to treatment. He passed away while being transported to Buenos Aires. He was 58. The fourth child of a rugby family, his brothers …
Read More »Eagles set to Experiment in ARC
John Mitchell has included some surprise names in his 35-man squad for the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship. Nine uncapped players and a few unexpected returnees line a largely inexperienced squad that also features some overseas pros. As expected Todd Clever returns as co-captain, though he will assume sole leadership responsibilities …
Read More »Rugby Given Wake-Up call as FIFA World Cup Expands to 48 Teams
Rugby has been given a wake-up call as the FIFA World Cup has expanded to 48 teams. Tuesday’s announcement that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be increased from 32 to 48 participants sees it having more than double that of rugby’s showpiece event. FIFA World Cup Expansion The FIFA …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol. 2, Iss. 13): The Jaguares, Pumas Numbers
Argentina’s teams – Los Jaguares and Los Pumas did not come away with the results they desired. The numbers is to be the subject of this, the final Forward Thinking of the year. In 2016 Los Pumas played 13 test matches. Los Jagures had 15 matches in Super Rugby. Combined this meant …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol. 2, Iss. 12): Make November Northern Hemisphere Tours
This year’s edition of the end-of-year international series again saw countries from the world over playing test match rugby in Europe. Yes, in Europe. This is the subject of the latest edition of Forward Thinking: Make November Northern Hemisphere Tours. Dated North vs South Terminology Many members of the global rugby …
Read More »Full Speed Ahead for Ireland’s RWC 2023 Bid
It is full speed ahead for Ireland’s Rugby World Cup 2023 bid. The ‘small island on the end of the world’ is ‘ready for the world’. These are two of the phases used by the IRFU to promote their bid. Together they provide clarity as to Ireland’s determination to host …
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