5 Storylines to Follow in Super Rugby Week 14

It’s crunch time in New Zealand’s Super Rugby conference this weekend as the top two do battle in Wellington. With the game throwing up some intriguing personal battles as well as national bragging rights at stake, the shape of the playoffs will be clearer after Week 14. Elsewhere in the competition, it is hoped in Queensland that the return of a former legend can revive the fortunes of the worst team in the competition, while another stellar name from days past is fighting for his future in Auckland. At the other end of the age spectrum, the form of a young tyro in Waratah light blue... 

Why Nick Abendanon Award Shows Folly of England’s Selection Policy

Nick Abendanon was crowned European Player of the Year earlier this month as a reward for his form in his first season as a Clermont Auvergne player. The former Bath flyer has reveled amid the stars of the French giants, particularly in the Champions Cup. His display in the competition’s knockout stages elevated the full-back to the same status as that other much-talked-about English exile, Steffon Armitage, the man he has deposed as the best player on the continent. That status is “English, over there and not eligible,” as far as the RFU is concerned. And it is a policy that... 

Ranking Europe’s Top 15 Club Teams After Weekend of May 8-10

The battle to reach the playoffs is going down to the wire across Europe. The final round of fixtures in England has three clubs battling it out for the last two places in the semi-finals, while in the Pro 12, the top three sides are all on 70 points, with fourth just one point behind. The league’s top four can still end up in any order following the last day. It is all thanks to an extraordinary set of results in the penultimate round that threw a sack full of cats among the proverbial pigeons. Exeter and Leicester pulled off thrilling away wins to turn the last day into a three-way fight... 

USA to Host Australia in Final Game Before Rugby World Cup

The USA has attracted yet another super power of world rugby to their shores, having been scheduled to play Australia in Chicago, as reported on the Australia Rugby Union‘s official website. Set to be played on September 5 at Soldier Field, the match will act as a final hit out for both teams ahead of the Rugby World Cup in England, starting on September 18. It is a huge coup for rugby union in the USA, having now attracted two top-tier nations in as many years. Their match against New Zealand’s All Blacks at the end of last year was deemed a huge success, despite suffering a heavy... 

Plenty of Stars in New Zealand Under 20 World Championship Squad

New Zealand have named a strong squad to travel to the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Italy, as reported by the New Zealand Herald. There is plenty of experience at both the provincial and Super Rugby levels in this year’s group, far more than was evident in the disappointing 2014 campaign. That said, there are a handful of top players returning from that 2014 team whose experience will be of huge value. Tevita Li, Anton Lienert-Brown and TJ Faiane were all key players for last year’s team and look to be three of the brightest prospects in New Zealand rugby. Had it not... 

Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of May 8-10

An elite crop of Wales internationals have received mixed news on their potential futures under coach Warren Gatland, with Jamie Roberts and George North in the headlines this weekend with differing fortunes. These past few days have also seen the Aviva Premiership hierarchy undergo drastic change as the end of the 2014-15 campaign rolls within sight and some English bastions are coping better than others. Read about all those topics and more as we run down the biggest winners and losers in world rugby this weekend. Begin Slideshow  Read More →

Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of May 8-10

World rugby’s focus now rests firmly in the domestic spectrum, and both hemispheres account for a 50-50 divide in representatives to make this week’s dream XV. With Toulon’s Champions Cup triumph in the rearview mirror, Europe’s giants are making their final dashes all across the continent. That pressure to perform conjured up some special displays this weekend. Super Rugby is never one to let the team down, however, and the Southern Hemisphere’s elite contest also threw up a raft of stellar displays, the best of which make our best XV. Begin Slideshow  Read More →

World Rugby’s Residency Change a Major Step Toward International Balance

Rugby’s residency ruling is set for closer inspection after the increase in southern-hemisphere players jumping ship for European nations. It is a move that could bring a sense of balance back to certain countries. The Telegraph (h/t ESPN Scrum) reported this week that the current three-year rule for residency changes could be altered to “preserve the integrity of the international game,” with World Rugby chief Brett Gosper quoted as telling Fairfax Media: When that [the residency rule] was determined, I don’t think there was quite the flow of players in international movement... 

European Rugby Champions Cup Team of the Tournament 2014-15

2014-15 European Rugby Champions Cup winners Toulon built their success around teamwork and defensive cohesion, but individuals still starred for them and their nearest challengers, Clermont Auvergne. In selecting this team of the tournament, priority has been given to those players who had a consistently significant impact on the tournament, particularly in the knockout stages. Toulon have six players in this XV, Clermont five, with one apiece for Leinster, Saracens, Bath and Northampton Saints. Begin Slideshow  Read More →

5 Storylines to Follow in Super Rugby Week 13

There are six rounds left in this year’s Super Rugby season, with the Hurricanes leading the way. The Wellington men have won nine of their 10 fixtures so far and look secure in their hunt for a semi-final spot. Behind them, the battle to finish as the best Australian and South African side is tight, with four points separating the Bulls and Stormers, while the Brumbies are just one point better off than the Waratahs. There are plenty of issues bubbling away aside from the fight to be crowned 2015 champions, with player welfare as well as farewells to some players on the agenda, as we look... 

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