Rugby Union News

Thorn eyes another trophy

Brad Thorn, enough already. Most sportsman would be deeply satisfied with a 200-game rugby league career that netted four premierships with the Brisbane Broncos, State of Origin and Australian honours. Or a rugby union career that consisted of 59...

Africans can’t agree on Super Rugby teams

Relegation or the merger of two teams appear the only options as the South African Rugby Union again met with its Super Rugby sides on Thursday about the problem of having six contenders for five places next year. SARU held talks with...

Hurricane Barrett rested for Brumbies game

The Brumbies won’t be the only team fielding an unfamiliar face at five-eighth for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash in Wellington, with Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett defending his decision to rest new All Blacks squad member Beauden...

IRB denies banning controversial Samoan

The International Rugby Board (IRB) says it has not banned firebrand Samoan Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, despite claims from the Pacific nation’s coach that he was told to drop the player. Fuimaono-Sapolu, who has a long history of stirring...

Blues coach Lam backs TV referee trial

Blues Super Rugby coach Pat Lam has backed the IRB’s decision to conduct a trial to extend the jurisdiction of the video referee. Under the trial, the television match official (TMO) will be able to rule on incidents in the field of play that...

Force aim to keep Beale quiet

The Western Force will attempt to dent the confidence of Melbourne Rebels playmaker Kurtley Beale in Sunday’s Super Rugby clash in Perth. Beale played a key role in last week’s upset 28-19 victory over the Crusaders, but the Force have...

Rebels set to sign Wallaby Higginbotham

Wallabies back-rower Scott Higginbotham is set to defect from the Queensland Reds to the Melbourne Rebels next season as the Super Rugby newcomers continue a week which could prove a club turning point. Neither the Reds nor Rebels has officially...

Cooper comeback clouds Deans’ thinking

Quade Cooper’s early return from long-term injury is giving Wallabies coach Robbie Deans more food for thought as he ponders his squad for next month’s opening Tests of the year. A hectic period of matches for the Australian Super Rugby...

Carter takes over kicking duties

Dan Carter, back to his customary role of five-eighth, will also have the kicking duties for the Crusaders in their Super Rugby match against the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday night. Carter will return to the No.10 jersey after playing outside...

Giteau has shot at Euro rugby silverware

Spurned Wallaby Matt Giteau has the chance to cap his debut season for Toulon by lifting the European Challenge Cup in Friday’s all-French final against Biarritz in London. Giteau, 29, missed out on a spot in Australia’s 30-man squad for...

Foley makes four Waratahs changes

Improved attack is coach Michael Foley’s focus as he attempts to prevent the NSW Waratahs’ Super Rugby season from slipping away completely. Foley has made four changes to his Waratahs side to meet the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday...

Wallabies defer naming team for Scots

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has opted to delay naming his first Test team of the year until two days before meeting Scotland on June 5 in Newcastle. The Test at Ausgrid Stadium is scheduled on the Tuesday night, immediately after a round of Super...