rugby
SportAustralian Associated PressMND research shows rugby playing risk
A new study looking at the impact of concussion on a group of former Scottish international rugby players has found that they were 15 times more likely to develop motor neurone disease (MND) than the general population.The figure is likely to send shock waves through the sport, which is already embroiled in a legal fight over the link between concussion and early onset dementia and which is scrambling to find ways of reducing incidences of concussion in matches and training at all levels.
SportAustralian Associated PressAll Black Tupaea out for nine months
New Zealand centre Quinn Tupaea will sidelined for nine months with the knee injury he sustained during a cleanout by Australia's Darcy Swain in Melbourne earlier this month that incensed the All Blacks.The team said on Thursday further scans on the anterior cruciate ligament injury revealed "more extensive damage" that would require surgery, extending the player's period on the sidelines by six months.
SportAustralian Associated PressQld Reds to trial rugby rule refinements
World Rugby will be watching closely after approving a host of new rules to be trialled at two Queensland Reds games.Top-tier referees Nic Berry and Damon Murphy will oversee the trial games between the Queensland President's XV and a Queensland Reds development squad on October 9 and 15.
SportAustralian Associated PressDon't leave us behind: Wallaroos
Olympic gold medallist Sharni Williams is urging Australians to get behind the Wallaroos or risk them falling off the pace in world rugby.Williams will line up for her fourth Rugby World Cup next month in New Zealand, switching back to the 15-a-side program after a stellar year with the national Sevens team who secured the triple crown.
SportAustralian Associated PressNo Eden Park pain for Wallabies in 2023
After their latest Bledisloe Cup humiliation, the Wallabies can at least take heart that they won't lose at Eden Park in 2023, with the ground off limits thanks to the FIFA Women's World Cup.The Australians were rolled 40-14 in Auckland last Saturday - their 23rd straight loss to the All Blacks at the venue in 36 years.
SportAustralian Associated PressSuper Rugby looks to settle in 2023
Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos has ruled out involvement by teams from Japan or the US in Super Rugby in the near future, saying fans want consistency in the competition.The chairman of Japan's Top League Genichi Tamatsuka floated to AAP the idea of a cross-over tournament with Australian and New Zealand teams which would help boost the local coffers.
SportAustralian Associated PressAll Blacks defy doubters to reign again
On August 8, his team soundly beaten in South Africa, the bell tolled for All Blacks coach Ian Foster.After three straight defeats - the team's worst run this century - the NZ Herald splashed a sullen-faced Foster on its front page with a headline "It's time for change".
SportAustralian Associated Press'Rivalry' match ups in Super Rugby draw
Three "rivalry" match ups for each team are a feature of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific draw announced on Sunday.Each of the 12 teams will play 14 regular season matches, meeting every other side at least once and playing three designated opponents twice, home and away.
SportAustralian Associated PressSpringboks win but All Blacks clinch title
South Africa scored five tries in a 38-21 win over Argentina but they could not stop the All Blacks winning the Rugby Championship title again.South Africa needed a bonus-point victory and to win by more than 39 points to steal the crown at the very end of the championship.
SportAustralian Associated PressWallabies injuries, losses, worries grow
Second best in all areas by their own admission, the Wallabies must now regroup from another Eden Park shellacking to take on the might of European rugby.Australia were belted 40-14 in Auckland on Saturday night and face a brutal examination of their failings.
SportAustralian Associated PressRuthless All Blacks crush Wallabies again
The All Blacks have mauled Australia to put one hand on the Rugby Championship, belting an ill-disciplined Wallabies 40-14 in Auckland.With the Bledisloe Cup already in the bag, Ian Foster's side made mincemeat of the visitors at Eden Park, threatening a record-breaking defeat at 32-0 with 20 minutes to play.
SportAustralian Associated PressUnused Vunivalu still wanted by Wallabies
Skipper James Slipper says the Wallabies could unleash Suliasi Vunivalu on their northern hemisphere tour, after the code-hopping NRL star missed selection for Australia's six Rugby Championship games.Both Vunivalu and All Blacks convert Roger Tuivasa-Sheck resemble Ferraris parked in the garage, showing the difficulty in switching from NRL stardom to union regulars.
SportAustralian Associated PressUp and down All Blacks want consistency
The rollercoaster ride that has been the All Blacks' southern season will come to a halt in their Bledisloe Cup finale against Australia.In keeping with the high drama that has surrounded the side and coach Ian Foster this year, even a win will not confirm whether they have won the Rugby Championship.
SportAustralian Associated PressWallabies again confront Eden Park hoodoo
For the Wallabies, an Eden Park triumph this year - as unlikely as it may be - would be a bittersweet success.Dave Rennie's side know well the statistics and the history, if only because they are reminded on every visit.
SportAustralian Associated PressWallabies respect the haka: Slipper
Determined to challenge the All Blacks before and after the first whistle, the Wallabies insist their response to the haka is designed to respect, not antagonise, their opponents.The Wallabies will face New Zealand at their house of horrors, Eden Park, for Saturday night's Test, with the Rugby Championship on the line.
SportAustralian Associated PressSpringboks hold hopes of stealing title
For the Springboks, a shot at the title. For the Pumas, a shot at their own piece of history.
SportAustralian Associated PressRennie reveals haka 'disrespect' sledge
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has lit the fuse ahead of the Rugby Championship finale, saying World Rugby conceded a crunch time-wasting call in the opening Bledisloe Cup loss was wrong.In a now infamous decision, referee Mathieu Raynal pinged Bernard Foley for timewasting in the dying stages of Australia's 39-37 loss in Melbourne.
SportAustralian Associated PressWhitelock to lead All Blacks at Eden Park
All Blacks skipper Sam Cane will miss the Rugby Championship decider against Australia, with Sam Whitelock leading New Zealand as they chase the title.Coach Ian Foster has made five changes to the team that pocketed the Bledisloe Cup for another year with their 39-37 triumph in Melbourne last Thursday.
SportAustralian Associated PressSwain cops six-week ban for Tupaea offence
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has defended Darcy Swain as the lock received a six-week ban for a cleanout that left New Zealand's Quinn Tupaea with a season-ending knee injury.The ugly incident marred the opening half of last week's Bledisloe Cup opener, won in dramatic fashion by the All Blacks 39-37 in Melbourne.
SportAustralian Associated PressWallabies channelling Bledisloe pain in NZ
The Wallabies have no issue with French referee Mathieu Raynal officiating their rematch with the All Blacks even as they still fume from late decisions in their opening Bledisloe Cup defeat.Raynal has been appointed as an assistant for Saturday's Rugby Championship decider at Auckland's Eden Park, with Irishman Andrew Brace in the middle.
SportAustralian Associated PressWomen's Rugby WC set for record crowd
Rugby World Cup organisers say they'll create history in Auckland next month by breaking a world record for the most fans at a women's rugby match.That means Australia's Wallaroos will face the might of tournament favourites and hosts New Zealand, buoyed by tens of thousands of Kiwi fans at Eden Park.
SportAustralian Associated PressFrans Steyn to start as Springbok flyhalf
Frans Steyn will start his first Springbok Test at flyhalf in 14 years while Pieter-Steph du Toit returns to the side of the scrum for the crucial Rugby Championship fixture against Argentina in Durban on Saturday.South Africa have had to test their depth at flyhalf with Handre Pollard, Elton Jantjies and Damian Willemse all absent for a variety of reasons, and the 35-year-old Steyn has been given the role he last played from the start against Italy in 2008.
SportAustralian Associated PressAll Blacks ready for physical Wallabies
With the Rugby Championship on the line, Ardie Savea will come straight back into the All Blacks team after missing the first Bledisloe Cup Test for the birth of his son.The line-breaking loose forward announced the birth of Kove Masina-Moon Savea, his third child with wife Saskia, on social media on Monday.
SportAustralian Associated PressEx-Rebel Debreczeni signs with Brumbies
Jack Debreczeni will rejoin Super Rugby after the playmaker signed with the Brumbies for the 2023 season.Debreczeni, who started his career with the Melbourne Rebels before a stint with the Chiefs, will link up with incoming coach Stephen Larkham.
SportAustralian Associated PressWallabies reeling from Bledisloe classic
Five days after the dramatic Melbourne Test, Australian rugby remains consumed by contentious calls in the Wallabies 39-37 Bledisloe Cup loss to New Zealand.Rugby Australia has written to the sport's global governing body voicing its concerns about refereeing given the late and questionable time-wasting call with the match in the balance last Thursday.
