rugby
SportAustralian Associated PressHalaholo out of Wales rugby squad
Centre Willis Halaholo has been forced to withdraw from Wales' rugby squad ahead of Saturday's Test against New Zealand after testing positive for COVID-19.Halaholo was a strong contender to start in Wales' midfield at the launch of a demanding schedule that also features clashes at Cardiff's Principality Stadium against South Africa, Fiji and Australia.
SportAustralian Associated PressCane ready to wait for All Blacks start
Sam Cane says he doesn't expect to make the starting line-up until New Zealand's rugby Test against Italy in Rome next weekend.Cane - the 2020 All Blacks captain - made his return from a six month pectoral injury for New Zealand as a replacement in the 104-14 win over the United States on Saturday.
SportAustralian Associated PressKerevi, McMahon out as Wallabies eye Beale
Kurtley Beale has been sounded out for a Wallabies return as coach Dave Rennie grapples with the late Spring Tour withdrawal of Samu Kerevi, Sean McMahon and possibly Quade Cooper.Japan-based centre Kerevi and backrower McMahon were both selected for Tests against Scotland, England and Wales next month after the loosening of Rugby Australia's eligibility rules allowed them to return for the Rugby Championship.
NewsAustralian Associated PressCoroner to investigate Wainui's death
The death of New Zealand Super Rugby player Sean Wainui last week is being treated as a suspected suicide, a coroner said.Wainui died on October 18 in what police described as a single vehicle accident.
SportAustralian Associated PressEuropean tour to test Wallabies' progress
A five-Test winning run has lifted the Wallabies to third on the world rugby rankings but just how real that improvement is will be proven on the fields of Europe in November.Despite the early loss of fullback Reece Hodge, Australia overcame stubborn resistance from Japan on Saturday to make a winning start to their 2021 spring tour.
SportAustralian Associated PressTouring All Blacks in record rout of US
The All Blacks have dealt a blow to United States rugby at the moment of its greatest ambition, posting a record 16-try, 104-14 record win against an under-strength Eagles team.After two matches in which their attack struggled against the stifling defence of South Africa, the All Blacks were able to thrive again, scoring their first try after just 28 seconds in front of more than 40,000 fans at the home of the NFL's Washington Football Team.
SportAustralian Associated PressJapan eyeing Rugby Championship invite
Australian-raised back-row warrior Ben Gunter has made an impassioned plea for the Brave Blossoms' inclusion into the Rugby Championship after Japan almost pulled of a historic win over the Wallabies.Gunter was immense as a late try to Wallabies debutant Connal McInerney clinched a 32-23 victory for Australia over Japan in Oita on Saturday.
SportAustralian Associated PressHodge injured, Cooper cleared for UK tour
Reece Hodge is in doubt for the UK leg of the Wallabies' spring tour but coach Dave Rennie has confirmed Quade Cooper will feature after discussions with his Japanese club.Hodge lasted only 13 minutes of Australia's 32-23 tour-opening win over Japan in Oita on Saturday after sustaining a pectoral muscle injury.
SportAustralian Associated PressWallabies earn tough win over Japan
Dave Rennie lamented a frustrating day in the coaches' box as the Wallabies opened their four-match spring tour with a scratchy and hard-earned 32-23 victory over Japan in Oita.The Wallabies overcame the early loss of fullback Reece Hodge and some stubborn resistance from the truly Brave Blossoms to chalk up five successive Test wins for the first time since the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
SportAustralian Associated PressEngland seeks 2025 women's rugby World Cup
England will bid to host the women's rugby World Cup in 2025, the country's Rugby Football Union (RFU) says.England's Red Roses, the world's top-ranked women's team, have twice won the World Cup -- in 1994 and 2014.
SportAustralian Associated PressBrave Blossoms plotting Wallabies boilover
Renegade lock Jack Cornelsen has warned rugby fans to write the Brave Blossoms off at their peril ahead of Saturday's showdown with the Wallabies in Oita.One of three Australia-raised players lacing up for Japan, Cornelsen is convinced the Brave Blossoms have sufficient strike power to cause another boilover at the state-of-the-art Showa Denko Dome.
SportAustralian Associated PressWallabies wary of fast-improving Japan
Already out of their comfort zone, the Wallabies are bracing for a high-octane start to their first spring tour in four years on Saturday.Chasing five straight Test wins for the first time since the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the Wallabies won't be taking Japan lightly in a rare and challenging lunch-time kick-off in Oita.
SportAustralian Associated PressAll Blacks to face invigorated USA: Foster
New Zealand's All Blacks expect the underdog United States to feed off the energy of their home crowd when the teams meet in Washington, D.The US go into FedExField following a disappointing 34-15 defeat at the hands of Uruguay earlier this month, a loss that kept them from qualifying directly for the World Cup.
SportAustralian Associated PressBrumbies release Kata from Super contract
Solomone Kata has been granted a release from his Super Rugby contract with the Brumbies so he can remain in New Zealand for family reasons.The 26-year-old outside joined the club in 2020, switching codes after a five-year stint in the NRL with the New Zealand Warriors.
SportAustralian Associated PressAust-born trio up for Japan Test debut
Japan coach Jamie Joseph is hoping Australian-born trio Jack Cornelsen, Ben Gunter and Dylan Riley play like they have a point to prove in their Test debut against the Wallabies on Saturday.The son of Greg Cornelsen - who famously bagged four Wallabies tries against the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1978 - has been named at lock while 120kg Gunter will start at blindside flanker.
SportAustralian Associated PressRennie backs Paisami in Wallabies return
Coach Dave Rennie is expecting the transition from Samu Kerevi to Hunter Paisami to be seamless as the Wallabies prepare for a fast and furious Test against Japan on Saturday.Kerevi failed to overcome an ankle injury to face the Brave Blossoms in Oita, with Paisami to play his first Test since August as he returns at inside centre.
SportAustralian Associated PressScots name rugby squad for Nations series
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has named a 42-man squad for the Autumn Nations Series Tests against Tonga, Australia and South Africa.Included in the group are Scotland's full complement of British and Irish Lions involved in this summer's South Africa tour, including captain Stuart Hogg, wing Duhan Van Der Merwe, plus half-backs Finn Russell and Ali Price.
SportAustralian Associated PressAussie Cornelsen set to face Wallabies
Growing up with one of Australian rugby's most famous names and playing with now-Wallabies star Tom Banks, Jack Cornelsen certainly couldn't see this coming.In fact, even just a couple of years ago, this wasn't on Cornelsen's radar.
SportAustralian Associated PressWhitelock takes over All Blacks captaincy
Stalwart All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock will take over the New Zealand captaincy ahead of the Northern Tour, assistant coach John Plumtree told reporters on Tuesday, days ahead of a Test match against the United States.Saturday's clash in Washington, D.
SportAustralian Associated PressSevens coaches cut after Oly rugby review
Australia's rugby sevens coaches will need to reapply for their jobs, after both the men's and women's teams disappointed at the Tokyo Olympics.Rugby Australia (RA) conducted a review of the national program after the defending Olympic champion women finished fifth while the men's team placed seventh.
SportAustralian Associated PressEngland rugby team hit hard by injuries
England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has been ruled out of next month's rugby internationals with an ankle injury while winger Anthony Watson will also be sidelined after rupturing his ACL.Cowan-Dickie, who has won 31 caps for England, sustained the injury during Exeter Chiefs' Premiership win over Wasps on Saturday.
SportAustralian Associated PressTwo new caps for Boks, but no more Steyn
South Africa have named two uncapped players in their 32-man squad for Tests against Wales, Scotland and England next month but will be without veteran flyhalf Morne Steyn, who has retired from international rugby.Steyn kicked the penalty that won the Springboks the series against the British & Irish Lions in August, but the 37-year-old has called time on his career in the green and gold after 68 Tests to focus on club rugby and spending more time with his family, local media reported.
SportAustralian Associated PressCooper uncertainty over Wallabies' UK tour
Playmaker Quade Cooper remains uncertain if Saturday's Test against Japan will be his last for 2021 with discussions continuing between the Wallabies and his Japanese club Kintetsu.Cooper is set to line up for the Oita Test on Saturday but may miss the remaining three Tests against Scotland, England and Wales.
SportAustralian Associated PressKepu joins Moana Pasifika for Super Rugby
Former Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu has joined Christian Lealiifano as a foundation player at Moana Pasifika, for their inaugural Super Rugby Pacific campaign next year.Ex-Brumbies playmaker Lealiifano was the first big name to formally commit to the expansion franchise, with Kepu - Australia's most capped prop - announced on Tuesday.
