Rugby: What are Sunwolves?
The name of Japan's first Super Rugby team was announced yesterday. We've gathered up everything you need to know about the Sunwolves, the newest team on the block.
The name of Japan's first Super Rugby team was announced yesterday. We've gathered up everything you need to know about the Sunwolves, the newest team on the block.
As the media and the fans egg each other on and feed off each other, the sport is played in an increasingly unreal context, writes Bryan Gould. The English fan is encouraged to live in a kind of fantasy land,
Joe Tomane is determined to force Wallabies coach Michael Cheika's hand and cut through the logjam of wingers vying for Rugby World Cup starting roles.
Gordon D'Arcy's international career may be over after the veteran centre was left out of Ireland's Rugby World Cup squad yesterday.
Wallabies enforcer Wycliff Palu has welcomed the challenge of David Pocock to his No8 jersey ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Whoever ends up winning the Rugby World Cup, you can bet there will be a Kiwi involved somewhere, writes Wynne Gray.
England and expectation - now there's a marriage that may not last.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that "Quade Cooper is set to start for Wallabies against All Blacks". OMG. I muttered, again.
The Polynesian factor is working its magic in Australian rugby, and it's why the All Blacks' dominance will never be the same again, writes Chris Rattue.
Matt Giteau is offering "no promises" that he's up to representing Australia at a Rugby World Cup for a third time. But he's hoping to find out.
Former Wallabies captain George Gregan believes that "with a bit of lady luck" Australia can win the Rugby World Cup.
Toulon will meet arch-rivals Clermont in an all-French final on Sunday, giving Matt Giteau a perfect showcase for his Wallabies claims.
The move to allow those playing overseas with more than 60 caps and seven years' Super Rugby service to represent the Wallabies will be watched closely by New Zealand Rugby.
Some players at overseas clubs can return to play for the Wallabies at the World Cup, after the Australian Rugby Union produced a backflip on its eligibility rules.
Owen Farrell may turn out to be a "one club man", something of a rarity these days, after yesterday signing a long-term contract extension with Saracens.
New Zealand Rugby wants to ensure last weekend's concussion incident doesn't happen again and believes the key lies in making television footage available to the match-day doctor.
The sentiment is fine, however the concept is as useful as Super Rugby stopping in June for a month of tests, writes Wynne Gray.
A repeat of last season's Heineken Cup final match-up is still on the cards after the weekend's European Champions Cup quarter-finals - and New Zealanders are in the thick of it.
As the Blues face their latest drama, one of their coaching castoffs, Joe Schmidt, is aiming at a landmark with Ireland.
When Joe Schmidt arrived to take his seat at Musgrave Park in Cork last month, to watch the Ireland Wolfhounds take on England Saxons, every step up the stand led to another delay.
While much of the rugby media attention in Europe at the weekend fell on convert Sam Burgess' first try for Bath, New Zealanders were quietly and often effectively going about their work.
If Racing Metro hire Daniel Carter for a record $2 million next year, former rival five-eighths Ronan O'Gara will supervise his work with the French club.
As the All Blacks approach their penultimate test of the year it's not difficult to work out what their major goal will be - an 80-minute performance against Scotland at Murrayfield after being able to achieve that only once so far this year.
The All Blacks have begun their United Kingdom tour with a 24-21 victory over England, but lock Brodie Retallick is a casualty and so is Steve Hansen's sense of humour.
A well-taken try and an all-round tidy game meant Aaron Cruden was pleased with his afternoon's work at Twickenham.
As a team that knows all about the expectations of its fans - and one that goes to considerable lengths to convince us all those expectations drive them to succeed - the All Blacks must be feeling rather bemused this week.
After a brutal and intense match against the Springboks in Wellington the All Blacks knew it could have gone either way but, they give credit to the Springboks in what was an intense test match.