https://www.scmp.com/rss/316019/feed The 2014 Rugby Championship, which ran 15 August to 5 October, is an annual competition involving the southern hemisphere’s top four rugby-playing nations – New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina. It was known as the Tri Nations from 1996 to 2012, before the Pumas were invited to join the party. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Troubled Australia back Kurtley Beale has been issued with a final warning after receiving a further fine arising from a mid-flight row with team officials, the Australian Rugby Union said Friday. Beale was fined A$3,000 (HK$20,500) for being rude and disrespectful to team management on a flight from South Africa to Argentina in September. The sanction comes a week after Beale was slapped with a A$45,000 penalty for sending an offensive text message to team business manager Di Patston. He’s had... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1629310/wallabies-kurtley-beale-given-last-chance-after-fine-flight-row?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1629310/wallabies-kurtley-beale-given-last-chance-after-fine-flight-row?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2014 15:30:45 +0000 Wallaby scrum-half Nick Phipps says the Australia squad are not a bunch of sexists following the fallout caused by Kurtley Beale's offensive text message to a female team official. Last week a disciplinary tribunal found Beale guilty of sending an offensive picture message to Wallaby team business manager Di Patston, who eventually resigned, and fined him A$45,000 (HK$307,000). However, Beale was not suspended, meaning he was eligible to play, although new Australia coach Michael Cheika did not... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1626955/wallabies-are-not-sexists-says-scrum-half-nick-phipps?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1626955/wallabies-are-not-sexists-says-scrum-half-nick-phipps?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2014 15:45:00 +0000 The woman at the centre of the Kurtley Beale texting affair said she had been driven near suicide by the scandal, speaking for the first time on Monday as the head of Australian rugby union faced calls to resign over the controversy. Wallaby back Beale was found guilty of sending an offensive text message to ARU employee Di Patston, and fined US$38,500 by an ARU code of conduct tribunal on Friday. But the tribunal said the evidence could not establish whether a second, more offensive text... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1625666/di-patston-woman-centre-kurtley-beale-text-row-speaks-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1625666/di-patston-woman-centre-kurtley-beale-text-row-speaks-out?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Oct 2014 02:30:00 +0000 Michael Cheika, who was appointed Australia coach on Wednesday, is a maverick, forceful and sometimes volatile coach who has never shied away from accepting what others might consider a poisoned chalice. The 47-year-old has a fervent belief that there is a right and a wrong way to play rugby and is the only man to have coached teams to both Heineken Cup and Super Rugby titles. It took him four years to transform Leinster from a province in disarray into European champions in 2009 and two years... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1624471/cheika-australias-man-poisoned-chalice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1624471/cheika-australias-man-poisoned-chalice?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Oct 2014 03:56:42 +0000 Utility back Kurtley Beale has been fined A$45,000 (HK$307,750) for sending an offensive text, but has escaped a ban after being cleared of sending a second "more offensive" photograph, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said on Friday. However, Beale will miss Australia's spring tour of Europe despite being cleared for selection by a code of conduct tribunal, the ARU said. The 25-year-old, who has played 47 times for his country, was accused of sending "deeply offensive" text messages about team... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1624113/kurtley-beale-fined-cleared-play-wallabies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1624113/kurtley-beale-fined-cleared-play-wallabies?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2014 16:15:00 +0000 No-nonsense coach Michael Cheika took over at the Wallabies on Wednesday, vowing to rally the shell-shocked side after the stunning walkout of previous manager Ewen McKenzie. The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) heaped praise on the 47-year-old at a media conference to announce his appointment just two days before the start of a tough five-match European tour. "Central to our decision was selecting a world-class coach who can lead us to victory in next year's Rugby World Cup," said ARU chief... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1622279/cheika-takes-reins-wounded-wallabies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1622279/cheika-takes-reins-wounded-wallabies?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2014 14:00:30 +0000 Michael Cheika confirmed on Monday he had been offered the chance to succeed Ewen McKenzie as Australia coach, but said there remained some details to be "ironed out" before a deal was struck. The 47-year-old, who led New South Wales Waratahs to the Super Rugby title earlier this year, is the front-runner to take over from McKenzie, who resigned unexpectedly on Saturday after 15 months in charge. It’s a pretty humbling experience to be asked to be involved in something like that, but we’ll see... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1620811/wallabies-close-signing-humbled-michael-cheika-head-coach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1620811/wallabies-close-signing-humbled-michael-cheika-head-coach?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Oct 2014 14:15:15 +0000 Michael Cheika is firming up as favourite to replace Ewen McKenzie as Australia coach this week but it remains to be seen whether he would want to join an organisation that has shown itself to be so dysfunctional over the past two weeks. McKenzie quit just hours before the Wallabies lost 29-28 to New Zealand in Brisbane as a result of the turmoil surrounding the squad after utility back Kurtley Beale allegedly sent offensive text messages to a team official. I did not expect Ewen McKenzie to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1619855/super-rugby-winning-mastermind-michael-cheika-line-wallabies-job?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1619855/super-rugby-winning-mastermind-michael-cheika-line-wallabies-job?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Oct 2014 03:45:45 +0000 A one-point, stoppage-time loss to New Zealand abruptly ended Ewen McKenzie's short and tumultuous stint as Australia coach on Saturday, leaving the Wallabies rudderless a week ahead of a European tour and only 11 months before the World Cup. Malakai Fekitoa's converted try in the dying seconds denied Australia as the All Blacks snatched a breathtaking 29-28 victory in the Bledisloe Cup. There’s a bunch of reasons. The intention was win, lose or draw I was going to announce that resignation... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1619575/all-blacks-seal-bledisloe-cup-and-ewen-mckenzies-fate-late-try?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1619575/all-blacks-seal-bledisloe-cup-and-ewen-mckenzies-fate-late-try?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Oct 2014 17:30:00 +0000 Former Australia coach Robbie Deans once described Adam Ashley-Cooper as the glue that held the Wallabies together and rarely has the versatile back's ability to bring coherence to the side been needed more than in his 100th test. The fallout from the row over texts allegedly sent by Kurtley Beale about a team official in June have left the Wallabies in crisis and coach Ewen McKenzie clinging to the job by his finger nails ahead of today's test against New Zealand. If the Wallabies respond at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1618724/adam-swoop-ashley-cooper-poised-join-wallaby-centurions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1618724/adam-swoop-ashley-cooper-poised-join-wallaby-centurions?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:00:15 +0000 Off-field distractions are overshadowing the build-up to tomorrow's Bledisloe Cup clash in Brisbane with the Wallabies in a state of chaos and the All Blacks exiling a key playmaker. Two months ago Australia were good enough to hold New Zealand to a 12-12 draw, but it will be a big ask for them to match that effort following losses to South Africa and Argentina in their last two matches and a meltdown in team unity. Kurtley Beale is in disgrace over a text scandal and coach Ewen McKenzie is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1617850/kurtley-beale-woes-distracting-wallabies-ahead-all-blacks-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1617850/kurtley-beale-woes-distracting-wallabies-ahead-all-blacks-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2014 16:15:15 +0000 New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has omitted fly-half Aaron Cruden from his matchday squad for Saturday’s third Bledisloe Cup test against Australia despite making five changes to the team that lost to South Africa two weeks ago. Cruden was restored to the squad last week after being dropped for the win in Argentina and defeat in Johannesburg in the Rugby Championship because he missed a pre-departure meeting for the tour in the wake of a boozy night out. With Dan Carter still injured, Beauden... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1617496/aaron-cruden-out-cold-all-blacks-name-bledisloe-cup-squad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1617496/aaron-cruden-out-cold-all-blacks-name-bledisloe-cup-squad?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2014 02:00:30 +0000 Fly-half Quade Cooper was among the reserves named on Tuesday for the embattled Wallabies clash against the All Blacks in this weekend's Bledisloe Cup, with Adam Ashley-Cooper chosen for his 100th test. Under-fire coach Ewen McKenzie made two changes to his starting line-up with Christian Leali'ifano at inside centre and Rob Simmons returning at lock for a team who lost 21-17 to Argentina two weeks ago. Leali'ifano replaces injured Matt Toomua while Simmons displaces James Horwill from the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1616383/adam-ashley-cooper-set-play-his-100th-test-wallabies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1616383/adam-ashley-cooper-set-play-his-100th-test-wallabies?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2014 14:15:15 +0000 Australia rugby boss Bill Pulver on Monday gave his support to besieged Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie before this weekend's Bledisloe Cup test against the All Blacks. Pulver was responding to reports that a coaching change may be imminent in the turmoil surrounding the Kurtley Beale-Di Patston texting scandal. "I can confirm the ARU [Australian Rugby Union] has not had any conversations with any other coaches regarding the Wallabies coaching position," Pulver said. I can confirm the ARU has... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1615848/ewen-mckenzie-will-remain-wallabies-coach-says-australian-rugby-union?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1615848/ewen-mckenzie-will-remain-wallabies-coach-says-australian-rugby-union?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:15:45 +0000 Australia coach Ewen McKenzie denied having an affair with a staff member as a row over allegedly offensive texts sent by Kurtley Beale took an unexpected twist on Friday. A stony-faced McKenzie rejected rumours about his relationship with business manager Di Patston, who is on stress leave following a mid-flight argument with Beale during last week's trip to Argentina. Beale was suspended from the Argentina game over the argument, and was later barred from selection indefinitely after the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1613975/wallabies-coach-ewen-mckenzie-denies-affair-staff-member?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1613975/wallabies-coach-ewen-mckenzie-denies-affair-staff-member?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Oct 2014 14:15:45 +0000 Troubled Wallabies back Kurtley Beale will miss next week's test against the All Blacks amid fresh allegations over "deeply offensive" text messages dating back to June, the Australian Rugby Union said on Thursday. Beale came under investigation by the ARU following a bust-up with a team official on a flight from South Africa to Argentina and was left out of the team who lost 21-17 to the Pumas in Mendoza last weekend. But ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said the investigation into the argument... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1613122/wallaby-kurtley-beale-dropped-over-offensive-text-messages?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1613122/wallaby-kurtley-beale-dropped-over-offensive-text-messages?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2014 14:30:00 +0000 New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said that the late penalty awarded to South Africa which cost his team a 22-match unbeaten record was a fair decision. Replacement fly-half Patrick Lambie potted the monster 55-metre shot at goal to give the Springboks a dramatic 27-25 Rugby Championship triumph in Johannesburg. Liam Messam high-tackled fellow replacement flanker Schalk Burger and after studying the incident on the Ellis Park big screen, English referee Wayne Barnes awarded the penalty. It was a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1610165/decisive-springboks-penalty-was-fair-says-steve-hansen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1610165/decisive-springboks-penalty-was-fair-says-steve-hansen?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2014 17:00:45 +0000 Argentina dedicated their first Rugby Championship victory to former star Agustin Pichot while Australia fumed over laser-beaming Mendoza spectators. Pichot, an inspirational scrum-half and skipper when the Pumas finished third at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, was widely praised after a come-from-behind 21-17 victory. Coach Daniel Hourcade, skipper and hooker Agustin Creevy, and long-serving inside centre Juan Martin Hernandez were among those who lauded Pichot. Many people were involved in making... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1610163/argentina-hail-agustin-pichot-after-victory-over-wallabies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1610163/argentina-hail-agustin-pichot-after-victory-over-wallabies?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2014 17:00:30 +0000 Argentina defeated Australia 21-17 after trailing by 14 points during the first half to achieve a first Rugby Championship win on Saturday. The Pumas debuted in the southern hemisphere competition during 2012 and lost 16 and drew one of their previous matches against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Australia had three players yellow carded and were repeatedly penalised by Welsh referee Nigel Owens. Defeat completed a nightmare week for the Wallabies with star back Kurtley Beale dropped... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1609956/argentina-beat-australia-claim-first-rugby-championship-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1609956/argentina-beat-australia-claim-first-rugby-championship-win?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2014 03:00:00 +0000 Pat Lambie kicked a penalty from his own half with a minute to go to deliver a breathless 27-25 win for South Africa over New Zealand on Saturday, the world champions’ first loss in two years. Replacement fly-half Lambie’s 55-metre kick settled a pulsating Rugby Championship test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Already Rugby Championship winners for a third straight year, the All Blacks had shown their world-champion resilience to come back from 11 points down with 15 minutes to go to lead in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1609859/last-gasp-springboks-penalty-ends-all-blacks-unbeaten-run?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1609859/last-gasp-springboks-penalty-ends-all-blacks-unbeaten-run?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2014 17:45:45 +0000 Global rugby gladiators South Africa and New Zealand come face to face in Johannesburg Saturday with All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw and Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer craving victory. Flanker McCaw will overtake fellow legend Colin Meads by making a record 134th appearance for the All Blacks, all but one of them in Tests. And Meyer wants to halt a run of five consecutive Springbok losses against their greatest foes since he took charge two seasons ago. A sell-out 62,000 Ellis Park crowd will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1608717/all-blacks-and-springboks-hungry-victory-season-finale?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1608717/all-blacks-and-springboks-hungry-victory-season-finale?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2014 02:03:32 +0000 Wallaby back Kurtley Beale is under investigation by the Australian Rugby Union over a bust-up with a team official on a flight and has been left out of the team to play Argentina on Saturday. Beale was allegedly involved in a heated verbal argument with Wallabies business manager Di Patston during the team's 10-hour flight from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo on Sunday, Fairfax Media reported. Reports said the incident, which has been referred to the Australian Rugby Union's integrity unit for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1607472/wallabies-dump-kurtley-beale-after-flight-bust?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1607472/wallabies-dump-kurtley-beale-after-flight-bust?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Oct 2014 01:00:45 +0000 New Zealand defeated Argentina 34-13 in La Plata on Saturday to clinch a third consecutive Rugby Championship title. Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Julian Savea and TJ Perenara scored the tries that gave the All Blacks a bonus point and an unassailable six-point advantage over South Africa. A late try flurry earned the Springboks a 28-10 victory over Australia in Cape Town earlier on Saturday. New Zealand have 21 points with one round remaining, South Africa 15, Australia 10 and Argentina three in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1602976/four-try-new-zealand-punish-pumas-retain-rugby-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1602976/four-try-new-zealand-punish-pumas-retain-rugby-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Sep 2014 01:45:45 +0000 Second place in the world rankings and probably second place in the Rugby Championship are up for grabs when South Africa host Australia in Cape Town on Saturday. The Springboks are ranked second and the Wallabies third going into the penultimate-round southern hemisphere contest at tradition-steeped Newlands stadium. But the Wallabies would rise to second behind world champions New Zealand if they can end a 22-year Cape Town jinx. Since a 26-3 win there in 1992 over opponents making only their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1600747/wallabies-aiming-break-newlands-win-drought-against-springboks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1600747/wallabies-aiming-break-newlands-win-drought-against-springboks?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2014 03:00:15 +0000 Skipper Richie McCaw will equal a 43-year-old record on Saturday when New Zealand seek a bonus-point win over Argentina in La Plata to retain the Rugby Championship title. Legendary lock Colin Meads made 133 appearances for the All Blacks – 55 tests and 78 other matches – before his 1971 retirement. And flanker McCaw has worn the famous black 132 times with all but one match against the Barbarians being tests. Meads is revered as one of the greatest All Blacks and in 1999 was voted New Zealand... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1600739/richie-mccaw-brink-equalling-colin-meads-all-blacks-record?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1600739/richie-mccaw-brink-equalling-colin-meads-all-blacks-record?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2014 02:45:30 +0000 The emergence of Jan Serfontein in an unfamiliar position has been one of the plus points for South Africa in a Rugby Championship campaign that has otherwise proven disappointing. The 21-year-old is set to again be asked to play at outside centre against Australia at Newlands on Saturday, a role in the backline he is enjoying despite early frustrations away from his more natural number 12 inside centre position. Whatever his initial reservations, he was a standout backline performer in the last... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1598818/springbok-standout-jan-serfontein-feeling-lucky-13?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1598818/springbok-standout-jan-serfontein-feeling-lucky-13?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Sep 2014 11:00:30 +0000 If All Blacks fly-half Aaron Cruden had a thumping headache on the morning he missed his flight to Argentina, it might be set for a prolonged return if his rival Beauden Barrett dominates in the final two matches of the Rugby Championship. What he’s done the last three or four years far overshadows one bad judgment. But there are consequences and they are immediate consequences Andrew Mehrtens, former All Black Missing a flight after a big night out may be dismissed as a silly act by an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1598808/contrite-aaron-cruden-risks-his-first-class-ticket-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1598808/contrite-aaron-cruden-risks-his-first-class-ticket-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Sep 2014 10:45:15 +0000 Fly-half Aaron Cruden missed the All Blacks’ flight to Argentina on Sunday after a drinking session the night before and will not play in the team’s Rugby Championship tour matches against the Pumas and South Africa. Cruden was reprimanded by coach Steve Hansen, who will likely pick Beauden Barrett to replace the 25-year-old for Saturday’s clash against Argentina in La Plata and the following week’s match against the Springboks. It’s obviously disappointing and out of character for [Aaron].... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1597866/aaron-cruden-misses-all-blacks-flight-argentina-after-getting-drunk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1597866/aaron-cruden-misses-all-blacks-flight-argentina-after-getting-drunk?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Sep 2014 02:51:24 +0000 Adam Ashley-Cooper has recovered from injury and Will Genia and Benn Robinson were recalled on Wednesday to the Wallabies squad for their Rugby Championship tour of South Africa and Argentina. But giant lock Will Skelton was axed from the 28-man line-up, which will play tests against the Springboks on September 27 in Cape Town and the Pumas in Mendoza on October 4. Outside-back and vice-captain Ashley-Cooper has made sufficient progress from a nerve compression injury and returns for his 98th... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1594784/ashley-cooper-and-genia-back-wallabies-squad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1594784/ashley-cooper-and-genia-back-wallabies-squad?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:45:45 +0000 The Wallabies have lost just one game in 11 tests and are unbeaten at home this season but fans are losing interest and staying away. The smallest test crowd in Australia this century of 14,281 watched the team scrape home 32-25 over Argentina on the Gold Coast on Saturday after a below-average crowd saw them play South Africa in Perth the previous week. That means sports like ours have an absolute obligation to find that sweet spot, that sweet intersection of winning and entertaining Bill... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1592985/shrinking-crowds-put-pressure-wallabies-perform?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1592985/shrinking-crowds-put-pressure-wallabies-perform?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Sep 2014 03:15:00 +0000 The Wallabies held on grimly to deny Argentina their first win in the Rugby Championship, scraping home 32-25 on the Gold Coast on Saturday. Australia looked set for a convincing win with a 29-13 lead and 20 minutes left, but the Pumas stormed back with two late tries to have the home side clinging on inside their own quarter. The Pumas had a scrum metres from the try-line in the final moments, but were penalised for an early engagement to get the Wallabies home for their second win in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1592000/wallabies-hold-deny-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1592000/wallabies-hold-deny-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2014 17:00:30 +0000 Captain Richie McCaw scored a second-half try to help the All Blacks maintain their five-year unbeaten record in New Zealand with a tense 14-10 victory over a combative Springboks side in the Rugby Championship in Wellington on Saturday. McCaw was the beneficiary of a pin-point cross-kick from Aaron Cruden that was hauled in by number eight Kieran Read who fed his skipper who dived over in the corner. Cruden slotted two penalties for the home side while Beauden Barrett added another after he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1591995/all-blacks-edge-out-boks-gritty-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1591995/all-blacks-edge-out-boks-gritty-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2014 17:00:00 +0000 A Springboks victory over New Zealand in the fourth round of the Rugby Championship would go a long way towards changing the mindset of both teams with next year’s World Cup fast approaching, according to South Africa lock Victor Matfield. The All Blacks top the southern hemisphere competition table and are unbeaten in the tournament since it was expanded to four nations in 2012, winning 14 of 15 games with their only blemish a 12-12 draw against Australia in Sydney last month. Since they won... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1590728/win-over-all-blacks-could-change-world-cup-dynamic-says-springbok-victor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1590728/win-over-all-blacks-could-change-world-cup-dynamic-says-springbok-victor?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Sep 2014 02:35:10 +0000 Fly-half Aaron Cruden has returned to the All Blacks’ starting side after recovering from a chest injury to face South Africa in the fourth round of the Rugby Championship at Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday. Cruden suffered the injury in the All Blacks’ 51-20 victory over Australia last month at Eden Park and coach Steve Hansen decided to rest the 25-year-old pivot for last week’s clash against Argentina. Cruden’s absence allowed Beauden Barrett to make his first start at flyhalf in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1590005/aaron-cruden-back-starting-line-all-blacks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1590005/aaron-cruden-back-starting-line-all-blacks?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Sep 2014 02:24:51 +0000 South Africa will field fledgling international fly-half Handre Pollard against New Zealand in the only change to their line-up for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash. Pollard, with only three tests under his belt, has been thrust into the crucial playmaker role ahead of the veteran Morne Steyn who has been omitted from the squad. “We felt that Handre has the right skill set for how we want to approach this game,” coach Heyneke Meyer said. We felt Handre has the right skill set for how we... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1589201/springboks-throw-handre-pollard-deep-end-against-all-blacks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1589201/springboks-throw-handre-pollard-deep-end-against-all-blacks?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Sep 2014 02:18:10 +0000 Argentina lock Tomás Lavanini will miss this weekend's Rugby Championship test against the Wallabies after being suspended by Sanzar yesterday. Sanzar judicial officer Adam Casselden accepted a guilty plea from Lavanini on a charge of dangerous charging after he was cited from Saturday's match against New Zealand in Napier. Lavanini has been suspended for one week up to and including September 13, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby said. Having considered the available evidence on the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1587393/reckless-tomoas-lavanini-miss-wallabies-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1587393/reckless-tomoas-lavanini-miss-wallabies-test?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Sep 2014 13:45:15 +0000 The All Blacks gave their forwards credit for a convincing win over Argentina on Saturday after they outmuscled the feared visiting pack and set the stage for a 28-9 win. Coach Steve Hansen said the World Cup and Rugby Championship title-holders “sometimes get underestimated at scrum time” but two tries from scrums told a different story. “From a scrummaging point of view we should be very proud,” he said. There was a hell of a lot of pressure in [the scrum]. It’s the most amount of pressure... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1586865/all-blacks-outmuscle-feared-argentine-pack?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1586865/all-blacks-outmuscle-feared-argentine-pack?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:00:15 +0000 Australia coach Ewen McKenzie praised his team’s character after they rebounded from a hammering by New Zealand to beat South Africa 24-23 in the Rugby Championship on Saturday, even if they needed a late try to do it. The Wallabies were destroyed 51-20 by the All Blacks in Auckland a fortnight ago and a third straight loss to the Springboks since McKenzie took charge would have put the coach and team under huge pressure a year out from the World Cup. Trailing 23-17 with two minutes to go,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1586851/wallabies-snatch-victory-tough-test-character?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1586851/wallabies-snatch-victory-tough-test-character?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:00:00 +0000 The Wallabies will rely on their maligned forwards to provide a platform if they are to reverse a three-match losing run against South Africa in their Rugby Championship test in Perth on Saturday. The Australian pack was outplayed by the world champion All Blacks in a 51-20 mauling in Auckland a fortnight ago and coach Ewen McKenzie has largely stuck with the same combination against the powerful Springboks. The forecast is for wet and windy conditions, giving the South Africans the edge in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1586154/springboks-wary-wounded-wallabies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1586154/springboks-wary-wounded-wallabies?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:45:00 +0000 Winger Bryan Habana will become the fourth Springbok to play 100 tests when South Africa meets Australia in the Rugby Championship in Perth on Saturday. Habana joins Percy Montgomery, John Smit and Victor Matfield in the century club. Habana has played with all of them since his debut against England in 2004. He holds the test try-scoring record for South Africa with 56, fourth best on the all-time list. Bryan [Habana] is a true professional and someone who never gives anything but his best,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1584689/habana-play-100th-test-springboks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1584689/habana-play-100th-test-springboks?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:45:30 +0000 The All Blacks have kicked for touch at their snub from a promotional video advertising tickets for next year’s World Cup. The video, released on Monday, shows well-known British actor Charles Dance addressing several international players in a rousing pre-match speech encouraging them to ensure the 2015 World Cup in England is the best ever. I haven’t seen that to be honest. But I’m pretty sure that we have qualified for the World Cup so we’ll probably be there Ian Foster, assistant... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1583607/all-blacks-unfazed-world-cup-advert-snub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1583607/all-blacks-unfazed-world-cup-advert-snub?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2014 06:15:15 +0000 Australia coach Ewen McKenzie has run out of patience with misfiring halfbacks Kurtley Beale and Nic White, dumping them to the bench for the Rugby Championship match against South Africa in Perth on Saturday. The pair started in Australia’s 12-12 draw against New Zealand and the humbling 51-20 return loss at Eden Park last month but have been replaced by fly-half Bernard Foley and his New South Wales Waratahs teammate Nick Phipps. Traditionally they are a forward-orientated side which uses... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1583531/misfiring-kurtley-beale-benched-wallabies-coach-runs-out-patience?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1583531/misfiring-kurtley-beale-benched-wallabies-coach-runs-out-patience?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2014 03:30:15 +0000 Wallabies centre Pat McCabe counts himself fortunate to be able to walk away from rugby intact after deciding to retire at the age of 26 in the wake of a third neck fracture in two years. McCabe confirmed his decision to call time on his rugby career on Thursday after sustaining the injury in Australia's 51-20 Rugby Championship defeat to New Zealand last weekend. The ACT Brumbies back, who played on the wing in the last two of his 24 tests, had fought his way back to fitness after the two... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1581486/im-fortunate-retire-intact-says-injured-mccabe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1581486/im-fortunate-retire-intact-says-injured-mccabe?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:30:45 +0000 Australia is to allow centrally contracted players to move overseas temporarily from 2016 and still retain their test eligibility for at least part of the season, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said on Thursday. Australia, like many other rugby nations, have increasingly become embroiled in a battle to retain their best players in the face of lucrative contracts on offer from Japanese and European clubs. Wallabies Ben Mowen, Nick Cummins, Kane Douglas and Hugh McMeniman have all elected to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1581379/wallabies-allow-players-move-overseas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1581379/wallabies-allow-players-move-overseas?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Aug 2014 01:51:06 +0000 Wallaby back Pat McCabe has retired from rugby after fracturing his neck for a third time, his ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said Wednesday - but McCabe's club ACT Brumbies denied that. The 26-year-old suffered a jarring knock on Saturday night in Australia’s 51-20 loss to the All Blacks at Eden Park and Larkham said a meeting with a specialist on Tuesday had confirmed another fracture. “[It’s] very disappointing news, actually. He had a scan over in New Zealand and it was reported to have... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1581040/confusion-over-pat-mccabes-future-after-third-neck-break?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1581040/confusion-over-pat-mccabes-future-after-third-neck-break?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2014 01:38:08 +0000 Fly-half Morne Steyn kicked a penalty three minutes from time to earn South Africa a lucky 33-31 win over Argentina in a Rugby Championship thriller. Trailing by 12 points after 56 minutes, a Springboks side given a torrid time in the forward exchanges for much of the match clawed back to snatch victory. The scrums were a particular problem for the two-time world champions. Success on a hot, clear afternoon in north-western Argentina lifted leaders South Africa to eight points in the table, one... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1580380/lucky-springboks-edge-pumas-thriller?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1580380/lucky-springboks-edge-pumas-thriller?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Aug 2014 06:15:00 +0000 All Blacks coach Steve Hansen could afford himself a little feeling of satisfaction yesterday after his side retained the Bledisloe Cup with a record victory over Australia that also sent a stark message ahead of next year's World Cup. Richie McCaw's team scored six tries in a brutally clinical performance to beat the Wallabies 51-20 at Eden Park on Saturday, with the visitors considered lucky to have scored two tries when the hosts had established a 44-6 lead with 20 minutes remaining and were... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1580377/all-blacks-fire-world-cup-warning-shot-wallabies-rout?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1580377/all-blacks-fire-world-cup-warning-shot-wallabies-rout?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Aug 2014 13:15:30 +0000 New Zealand's forwards responded to criticism of their performance in their opening Rugby Championship clash to set the foundation for a 51-20 victory over Australia at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday that also ensured the retention of the Bledisloe Cup. All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who was sinbinned early in the game, scored two tries while Kieran Read, Julian Savea and Steven Luatua also crossed, with their pack awarded a penalty try as part of a record score against the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1580168/all-blacks-tear-wallabies-apart?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1580168/all-blacks-tear-wallabies-apart?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2014 15:00:00 +0000 The All Blacks and Wallabies sought prematch talks with referee Romain Poite on Friday as they try to avoid giving away penalties in their highly anticipated return Rugby Championship test on Saturday. With both sides smarting from last week's 12-12 draw in Sydney, New Zealand's Steve Hansen and Australia's Ewen McKenzie were keen to minimise any uncertainty in Auckland. All Blacks coach Hansen has already claimed an apology from last week's whistle-blower, South African Jaco Peyper, for a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1579420/referee-focus-trans-tasman-rivals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1579420/referee-focus-trans-tasman-rivals?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2014 14:30:45 +0000 The All Blacks have made three changes for the return Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Auckland on Saturday including a Test start for centre Ryan Crotty. Bruising stalwarts Ma’a Nonu and Jerome Kaino have failed to recover from injuries picked up in last week’s 12-12 battle of attrition in Sydney, while Conrad Smith returns after missing the first match due to the birth of his son. The loss of Nonu produces a new All Blacks centre pairing with the safe Crotty preferred to run on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1578283/ryan-crotty-will-start-first-test-all-blacks-make-three-changes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1578283/ryan-crotty-will-start-first-test-all-blacks-make-three-changes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Aug 2014 01:52:20 +0000