Despite New Zealand Defeats, Neil Back Says ‘England Can Win the World Cup’

In the cut-throat world of international rugby, nations are ultimately judged on wins and losses. At face value, England’s three consecutive defeats in New Zealand—including a drubbing in the finale last Saturday—mark their tour as a failure. However, according to England rugby legend Neil Back they are an improved team in 2014 and the gap between them and the top-three nations is narrowing. With next year’s World Cup forming a poignant backdrop to this series, England’s goal was to compete with the hosts and ideally win matches. They did not achieve the latter, but... 

Biggest Hits in World Rugby Last Weekend: Liam Williams’ Illegal Hit Costs Wales

Another international week in the world of rugby means another instalment in hits of only the highest order, with the sport’s elite once again not failing to impress. In a bumper edition of the biggest hits, Wales fullback Liam Williams rakes in the headlines after his last-minute, try-saving attempt against South Africa gifted the Springboks a 2-0 Test series whitewash win as a result. Warren Gatland’s side were also subject to some illegal damage in that match, however, as Alun-Wyn Jones fell from a tremendous height thanks to Flip van der Merwe’s intervention. In New Zealand,... 

World Rugby’s Team of the Weekend: Welsh Heroes Make the Grade

The summer tours of the big-three nations closed without a win for the European teams. There was heartbreak in Nelspruit for Wales who lost to a 79th-minute penalty try, while England were wiped out by New Zealand and France took another beating in Australia. Just over a year from the World Cup, these eight defeats from eight matches make for sobering contemplation for the Northern Hemisphere, whose teams can at least take heart from the fact that things are often a lot closer in the autumn of Europe. Here is the team of the week. Begin Slideshow  Read More →

Picking 5 Future Stars from the IRB U20s World Championship

England retained their IRB Junior World Championship crown with a hard-fought 21-20 victory over South Africa at Eden Park, Auckland. While Julian Savea and Aaron Cruden are fine examples of U20s graduates who are now world-class players, plenty of IRB Junior World Championship stars, such as France’s Lionel Beauxis, have faded when making the transition to the senior international game. Here, Bleacher Report looks at the five most likely from the Class of 2014 to make the grade. Begin Slideshow  Read More →

South Africa vs. Wales: 2nd Test Score, Recap and Post-Match Reaction

South Africa just about saw off a stiff challenge from Wales to win 31-30. It was a particularly bitter pill to swallow for the Welsh. The winning try came courtesy of a controversial late penalty try awarded to the Springboks. The Sky Sports Rugby Union Twitter feed captured the disputed winning score brilliantly: The only thing to say is judge for yourselves. This was declared an illegal tackle, prompting the award of a penalty try to allow South Africa to escape with a win. However, the late controversy shouldn’t obscure a fine fightback from the Boks. The Welsh had overwhelmed their... 

South Africa vs. Wales: Score and Lessons Learned from Nelspruit Test

South Africa vs. Wales saw a cruel, last-gasp 31-30 victory for the hosts in Nelspruit. Wales had been on the verge of a historic victory and led up until the 77th minute when a Liam Williams shoulder charge saw the Springboks awarded with penalty try. Morne Steyn converted from under the posts to break Welsh hearts. The Springboks were on a streak of 14 consecutive victories over northern hemisphere teams. Wales have only beaten South Africa once since 1904. On Saturday, they came as close as possible to adding to that record. Wales led by 17 points at one stage but two yellow cards prompted a... 

New Zealand v England: Score and Lessons Learned from Hamilton Test

England suffered a third straight defeat with a 36-13 reverse to the All Blacks in Hamilton. Stuart Lancaster’s men were blown away by 29 New Zealand points and four tries in the first half that rendered their second half improvement redundant. Doubles from Julian Savea and Aaron Smith exposed defensive lapses in the Red Rose rearguard that had not existed in the first two Tests, and they ended the match as a contest before half-time. Marland Yarde barged over to add a speck of respectability to the score in the second half but a string of botched chances left England with much to regret... 

New Zealand vs. England: 3rd Test Score, Recap and Post-Match Reaction

A rampant first-half display led New Zealand to a 36-13 win over England on Saturday, with Steve Hansen’s side capping off a dominant 3-0 Test series triumph in Hamilton. The All Blacks eased off the gas slightly in the second period, but a vintage opening 40 minutes of forward-thinking rugby filled with stellar support play laid the base for England’s thumping, confirmed by The Guardian: Winger Julian Savea bagged two tries before the clock had struck nine minutes as Stuart Lancaster’s line-up appeared shell-shocked, not posing the same stubborn threat they had in the previous... 

Australia vs. France: 3rd Test Score, Recap and Post-Match Reaction

A brace of Israel Folau tries inspired Australia to a 39-13 demolition of France on Saturday, sealing a 3-0 Test series whitewash for the Wallabies in the process. Ewen McKenzie’s outfit were a wholly more impressive side to watch than that of the team that ran out as 6-0 victors in last weekend’s second series meeting, with Sky Sports confirming the extent of Saturday’s mauling: Folau crossed over either side of halftime to continue the fine form he’s enjoyed both in Super Rugby and internationally of late, cementing his claims of being the world’s most in-form fullback... 

Australia vs. France: Score and Lessons Learned from Sydney Test

Australia gave France another dusting in Sydney as they completed a 3-0 series win. Ewen McKenzie’s men won 39-13 in a display that will fill them with confidence ahead of the coming Rugby Championship. For France, there is some serious soul-searching to do. They have never looked like winning on this tour and have seldom looked like a Test-level team. Here are the lessons learned. Begin Slideshow  Read More →

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