As the Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa on Saturday approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting the showdown to see who comes out on top. While excited about the tournament final, the host nation are also wondering what will happen to their team. Their storming performances on the way to the quarter-final of […]
Rugby
World Rugby must reassess plans for global league
World Rugby reportedly intends to reshape the international calendar to introduce a 12-team World League starting next year. The sport’s international governing body seeks to create a schedule where the 12 teams (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, the United States and Japan) would play each other once a […]
18 is a magic number
As England discovered on Saturday, reaching number 19 is devilishly difficult. The week before Eddie Jones’ team had made history by steamrollering Scotland to equal the All Blacks’ record of 18 consecutive international victories. Yet, like the Kiwis, England appeared laboured and out of ideas against a defiant Ireland side. Across sport, 18 appears to mark a major […]
All Blacks likely to remain one step ahead
In the Rugby World Cup final the All Blacks defeated Australia 34-17 to become the first nation to retain the title. It was easy to empathise with Australia who played well, yet only looked like contenders when New Zealand were down to 14 men. While the sporting greatness of teams is inevitably cyclical, and several […]
IRB wrong to point fingers
As the fallout from Scotland’s last minute defeat to Australia in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final continues, the media glare begins to turn on the International Rugby Board. Initially, Scotland fans directed their ire at referee Craig Joubert for running off the pitch straight after the final whistle and the IRB wasted little time condemning […]
Lancaster should stay but change is needed
The national media are looking for a scapegoat, but are holding their fire until after England’s participation at the World Cup is finally over. If England’s last match of the tournament was against a Tier 1 or a strong Tier 2 nation, the players would have the opportunity to claim a shred of redemption. A […]