https://www.scmp.com/rss/321546/feed The 2016 edition of the Rugby Championship – the southern hemisphere’s pre-eminent international competition – takes place 20 August to 8 October when it returns to a full six-round format following a shortened three-round contest in 2015 to accommodate the Rugby World Cup. The defending champions are Australia and the other teams involved are New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Australia coach Michael Cheika continued his rant against the All Blacks on Sunday, saying he would not back down from his outburst after the New Zealanders’ record-setting victory. And if a perceived lack of respect by the All Blacks was not bad enough for the aggrieved coach, he faced more negative news with Dean Mumm cited for foul play during Saturday’s test in Auckland. Cheika was fuming after the All Blacks won 37-10 and refused to congratulate them on posting a world-record 18th... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2039379/all-black-coach-steve-hansen-says-australias-michael-cheika-should-stop?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2039379/all-black-coach-steve-hansen-says-australias-michael-cheika-should-stop?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Oct 2016 11:30:45 +0000 World champions New Zealand were challenged for 50 minutes but still ran in six tries to beat Australia 37-10 in Auckland on Saturday to become the first top-tier nation to win 18 consecutive test matches. Less than a year after becoming the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups and with a much-changed line-up, Steve Hansen’s side bolstered their claim to being the greatest ever rugby team. Julian Savea scored two tries as Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, TJ Perenara and Dane Coles also... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2039241/new-zealand-overcome-australia-record-18th-straight-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2039241/new-zealand-overcome-australia-record-18th-straight-win?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Oct 2016 08:45:30 +0000 Australia have dropped fly-half Quade Cooper for Saturday’s test against New Zealand at Eden Park, where the All Blacks will be going for a record 18th successive test victory. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who delayed the naming of his team until Friday, made four changes to the side that finished the Rugby Championship with a victory over Argentina. Standout loose forward David Pocock returns from injury to take a place on the bench with the pack unchanged from that which started the match... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2038909/quade-cooper-dropped-australia-try-stop-all-conquering-all-blacks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2038909/quade-cooper-dropped-australia-try-stop-all-conquering-all-blacks?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Oct 2016 00:15:00 +0000 New Zealand have warned Australia they won’t let any provocation stand in the way of Saturday’s date with destiny when they hope to break the 47-year-old record for consecutive test wins. Victory to the world champions in Auckland would give them their 18th consecutive win, a new record for a top-tier nation, and see them acknowledged as the best side in rugby history. The current record of 17 successive wins was set by the 1965-1969 All Blacks, equalled by South Africa in 1997-1998 and the All... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2038614/focused-all-blacks-wont-be-distracted-world-record-bid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2038614/focused-all-blacks-wont-be-distracted-world-record-bid?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Oct 2016 05:30:15 +0000 Australia will be a “different beast” to the side that suffered back-to-back thrashings by the All Blacks in August when they line up for another clash at Eden Park on Saturday, according to flanker Jerome Kaino. The Wallabies were destroyed by the All Blacks in the opening two matches of the Rugby Championship but found some form in winning three of their last four games in the tournament against South Africa and Argentina. The All Blacks have not lost to Australia at Eden Park in 30 years and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2038316/australia-will-be-different-beast-eden-park-all-blacks-eye-record-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2038316/australia-will-be-different-beast-eden-park-all-blacks-eye-record-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Oct 2016 10:45:45 +0000 Forward David Pocock is optimistic of being fit after a month out with a broken hand as Australia look to halt the New Zealand’s bid for a world-record 18th consecutive test win on Saturday in the Bledisloe Cup meeting in at Eden Park in Auckland. The forward has been out of action since picking up the injury in Australia’s Rugby Championship win over Argentina in Perth last month. The setback continued his wretched run with injuries during a chequered playing career, which has included two knee... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2029024/wallaby-david-pocock-hopeful-bledisloe-cup-return-against-all-blacks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2029024/wallaby-david-pocock-hopeful-bledisloe-cup-return-against-all-blacks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Oct 2016 05:00:15 +0000 New Zealand scrum-half Aaron Smith has pulled out of the Bledisloe Cup test against Australia on Saturday after being found guilty of serious misconduct by a New Zealand Rugby employment panel. Smith missed New Zealand’s final Rugby Championship test against South Africa a week ago because a one-match ban imposed by senior team-mates for toilet tryst with a woman in an airport toilet on September 18. An employment hearing conducted by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) on Monday found Smith guilty of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2028711/new-zealands-aaron-smith-miss-bledisloe-cup-test-against-australia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2028711/new-zealands-aaron-smith-miss-bledisloe-cup-test-against-australia?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Oct 2016 06:30:15 +0000 Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said his side will need to be sharper when they return to face England in December after ending the Rugby Championship with a 33-21 win over Argentina at Twickenham. Samu Kerevi scored two of Australia’s four tries, while forwards Adam Coleman and Dean Mumm also crossed the Pumas’ line in the first Rugby Championship match played outside the southern hemisphere. Bernard Foley kicked Australia’s remaining 13 points on Saturday but the resilient Wallabies were a man... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2026458/michael-cheika-demands-edgier-australia-after-beating-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2026458/michael-cheika-demands-edgier-australia-after-beating-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Oct 2016 03:15:30 +0000 New Zealand coach Steve Hansen refused to get carried away after a 57-15 demolition of arch-rivals South Africa created two records and moved the All Blacks within one victory of another. “It was a better performance than the last one [winning in Argentina],” said the hard-to-please former policeman who masterminded the 2015 World Cup triumph in England. “However, it was not a perfect performance so we will not get too carried away,” was his summary of the nine-try romp at Kings Park Stadium in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2026457/not-perfect-what-must-all-blacks-do-please-steve-hansen-after-thrashing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2026457/not-perfect-what-must-all-blacks-do-please-steve-hansen-after-thrashing?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Oct 2016 03:15:15 +0000 New Zealand have made four changes for their final Rugby Championship test against South Africa on Saturday, while retaining TJ Perenara at the expense of disgraced halfback Aaron Smith. Coach Steve Hansen recalled veteran forwards Jerome Kaino and Sam Whitelock, boasting 152 caps between them, as the All Blacks seek to post 17 consecutive test wins. But with the Rugby Championship already wrapped up, Hansen also continued to give younger players a run, replacing Ardie Savea with Matt Todd in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2025670/waisake-naholo-recalled-all-blacks-make-four-changes-springboks-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2025670/waisake-naholo-recalled-all-blacks-make-four-changes-springboks-test?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Oct 2016 04:30:30 +0000 The All Blacks suspended halfback Aaron Smith on Thursday over a toilet tryst with a woman at a busy airport, in the latest scandal to hit the beleaguered New Zealand Rugby union. Coach Steve Hansen said the 54-test veteran breached team standards and his fellow players felt he should be punished. “As a result Smith was not considered for selection for this weekend’s Durban Test,” Hansen said as the world champions prepare for their Rugby Championship Test match against South Africa. Hansen said... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2025620/down-toilet-all-blacks-drop-aaron-smith-over-airport-bathroom-encounter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2025620/down-toilet-all-blacks-drop-aaron-smith-over-airport-bathroom-encounter?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Oct 2016 02:15:00 +0000 Loose forward Jerome Kaino, centre George Moala and winger Waisake Naholo are likely to start in a much-changed New Zealand side for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against South Africa in Durban, coach Steve Hansen has suggested. Kaino has recovered from a shoulder injury while Moala (knee) and Naholo (hamstring) are back and will travel with the team. “Some people put their hands up but it’s that time of year where we’ve got to be brave and trust the people we’ve selected so there’ll... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2024663/all-blacks-set-key-changes-clash-against-springboks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2024663/all-blacks-set-key-changes-clash-against-springboks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:15:30 +0000 Champions New Zealand scored three late first half tries to set-up a 36-17 Rugby Championship triumph over Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday. Two yellow cards to the All Blacks aided the Pumas as they staged a comeback from 29-3 behind at half-time to outscore their rivals during the second half without ever threatening to win. Victory moved New Zealand, who clinched the southern hemisphere title in the previous round, closer to a world record 18 consecutive victories. The reigning world... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2024396/world-beaters-unstoppable-new-zealand-blitz-argentina-extend-winning-run?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2024396/world-beaters-unstoppable-new-zealand-blitz-argentina-extend-winning-run?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Oct 2016 04:00:15 +0000 Australia head to London for their final Rugby Championship test with renewed concerns about their back row after Sean McMahon suffered a “significant” ankle injury in the loss to South Africa in Pretoria. McMahon, nominally a flanker, came into the side at number eight for the 18-10 defeat at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in place of the injured David Pocock. The 22-year-old was taken off at half-time after trying to run off the injury and Australia coach Michael Cheika sounded resigned to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2024395/back-pain-australia-face-rejig-london-trip-face-argentina-after-sean?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2024395/back-pain-australia-face-rejig-london-trip-face-argentina-after-sean?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Oct 2016 03:45:15 +0000 Coach Allister Coetzee hailed skipper Adriaan Strauss and match-winner Morne Steyn after South Africa ground out an 18-10 Rugby Championship victory over Australia in Pretoria on Saturday. Hooker Strauss gave his best performance for the Springboks this season as they snapped a three test losing streak that triggered fierce public and media criticism. Recalled flyhalf Steyn scored all the South African points from four penalties and two drop goals as the hosts survived a second half battering... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2024393/shut-allister-coetzee-hails-skipper-adriaan-strauss-and-match-winner?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2024393/shut-allister-coetzee-hails-skipper-adriaan-strauss-and-match-winner?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Oct 2016 03:15:45 +0000 Rookie loose forward Liam Squire will make his first test start as All Blacks coach Steve Hansen reinstated his policy of developing depth for the Rugby Championship clash with Argentina in Buenos Aires on Sunday morning (Hong Kong time). Squire, who has made three test appearances from the bench, replaces the injured Jerome Kaino at blindside flanker for the match at Estadio Jose Amalfitani, with Patrick Tuipulotu also coming into the starting side in place of Sam Whitelock. The All Blacks have... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2023706/all-blacks-coach-steve-hansen-rings-changes-british-irish-lions-tour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2023706/all-blacks-coach-steve-hansen-rings-changes-british-irish-lions-tour?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Sep 2016 10:45:30 +0000 Winger Sefa Naivalu and hooker Tolu Latu were on Thursday called into Australia’s squad for their Rugby Championship clashes against South Africa and Argentina next month. Fiji-born Naivalu has been involved in several training camps this year and finally became eligible to represent his adopted country this week after fulfilling the three-year residency requirement. The impressive recent form of the NSW Waratahs’ Latu allowed him to force his way into the 30-man squad as cover for veteran... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2021603/new-faces-sefa-naivalu-and-tolu-latu-wallabies-squad-south-africa-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2021603/new-faces-sefa-naivalu-and-tolu-latu-wallabies-squad-south-africa-and?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Sep 2016 05:45:30 +0000 New Zealand’s ability to seal the Rugby Championship with two rounds remaining highlighted the burgeoning gap between the world champions and the rest of the sides, though the team were not prepared to let their final games become footnotes. Their 41-13 bonus-point victory over the South Africa in Christchurch on Saturday gave them their 15th successive win stretching back to last year and the title was confirmed when Australia beat Argentina 36-20 in Perth later. The All Blacks, playing a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2020443/can-they-be-stopped-world-record-sight-improving-rugby-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2020443/can-they-be-stopped-world-record-sight-improving-rugby-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Sep 2016 13:15:30 +0000 Australia stunned Argentina with three tries in the opening 12 minutes but were forced to defend for much of the remainder of the Rugby Championship test before running out 36-20 winners at Perth Oval on Saturday. Outstanding scrum half Will Genia scored two tries with centre Samu Kerevi, winger Dane Haylett-Petty and flanker Michael Hooper also crossing for the Wallabies. The victory was not enough to prevent New Zealand from reclaiming the championship title from Australia after a 41-13... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2020297/australias-blitz-start-paves-way-victory-over-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2020297/australias-blitz-start-paves-way-victory-over-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Sep 2016 13:30:00 +0000 Hooker Dane Coles gave a masterclass in backline playmaking to set-up three New Zealand tries as the world champions thrashed South Africa 41-13 to clinch the Rugby Championship title on Saturday. Coles made the final pass for tries to Israel Dagg, Julian Savea and Sam Whitelock, while Ben Smith, Ardie Savea and TJ Perenara also crossed to secure the bonus point victory. Beauden Barrett slotted four conversions and a penalty for the home side, who moved to 20 points on the Rugby Championship... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2020270/all-blacks-crush-south-africa-41-13-all-seal-rugby-championship-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2020270/all-blacks-crush-south-africa-41-13-all-seal-rugby-championship-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Sep 2016 09:45:15 +0000 South African skipper Adriaan Strauss has dismissed strident criticism of his underperforming side as he revealed a plan to unsettle New Zealand when they clash in Christchurch on Saturday. Another runaway victory for the unbeaten All Blacks could see them sew up the Rugby Championship with two rounds to spare while the Springboks, with only one win from three games, need a miraculous recovery to stay in contention. The Springboks’ woeful record, less than a year after they were only a whisker... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2019988/underfire-springboks-plan-unsettle-rugby-championship-chasing-all-blacks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2019988/underfire-springboks-plan-unsettle-rugby-championship-chasing-all-blacks?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Sep 2016 04:30:30 +0000 Australia overcame an early deficit to beat South Africa 23-17 in their Rugby Championship clash in Brisbane on Saturday and snap a run of six successive test defeats. Tries from lock Adam Coleman and centre Bernard Foley, who also chipped in with 13 points from the kicking tee, gave the Wallabies a first win since their semi-final victory over Argentina at last year’s World Cup. “It’s been a tough period, but we’re really proud to come out and get a win tonight,” said a relieved Australia... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2018276/australia-beat-south-africa-snap-six-game-losing-streak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2018276/australia-beat-south-africa-snap-six-game-losing-streak?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Sep 2016 12:15:00 +0000 A devastating late surge saw New Zealand pound dogged Argentina 57-22 in a frenetic Rugby Championship encounter at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday. The All Blacks scored eight tries to Argentina’s one, but it was not until Ryan Crotty crossed 13 minutes into the second half that they started to gain command. With the score at 24-22, Crotty’s try sparked a 33-point spree in the closing 27 minutes of the match. By full-time the dominance was clear-cut, but after strolling to victory twice... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2018262/new-zealand-crush-argentina-rugby-championship-remain-unbeaten?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2018262/new-zealand-crush-argentina-rugby-championship-remain-unbeaten?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Sep 2016 09:30:45 +0000 Francois Hougaard has been selected on the wing as one of three changes in a revamped South African backline for their Rugby Championship test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday. Still smarting from the 26-24 loss to Argentina in Salta last time out, coach Allister Coetzee has named a new centre pairing of Juan de Jongh and Jesse Kriel. The inclusion of Hougaard, who won an Olympic Games bronze medal in rugby sevens last month, for the injured Ruan Combrinck was enforced and means veteran... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2017661/francois-hougaard-named-south-africa-backline-revamped-springboks-face?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2017661/francois-hougaard-named-south-africa-backline-revamped-springboks-face?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Sep 2016 09:00:15 +0000 Michael Cheika bolstered Australia’s line-out as the Wallabies coach made two changes to the starting team for the Rugby Championship test against South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday. Reece Hodge earns his first start for Australia after impressing off the bench in the 29-9 loss to New Zealand in Wellington two weeks ago. He replaces winger Adam Ashley-Cooper, who has returned to his French club side Bordeaux. In the other change, Dean Mumm will start at blindside flanker and partner David... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2017589/mumms-word-wallabies-coach-michael-cheika-seeks-australia-set-piece?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2017589/mumms-word-wallabies-coach-michael-cheika-seeks-australia-set-piece?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Sep 2016 04:30:45 +0000 Australia’s attempt to impose themselves with physical aggression in the second Bledisloe Cup match in Wellington was a sign of “weakness” and a team not concentrating on their rugby, according to All Blacks players. Thrashed 42-8 at home in the opener in Sydney, the Wallabies brought more niggle in the spite-tinged rematch in Wellington but fell 29-9 in another one-sided defeat. “We saw it as a bit more of a weakness from them that they were worried about putting that in and we were just... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2015139/sign-weakness-all-black-stars-brodie-retallick-and-sam-cane-question?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2015139/sign-weakness-all-black-stars-brodie-retallick-and-sam-cane-question?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Sep 2016 10:45:00 +0000 Michael Cheika said on Sunday he did not feel under threat as coach, as the Wallabies eyed a record low-point of test defeats in the wake of their latest heavy loss to New Zealand. The All Blacks claimed the Bledisloe Cup for the 14th straight year with a comprehensive 29-9 win over Australia in Wellington on Saturday following their 42-8 romp in Sydney the previous weekend. It was the All Blacks’ 19th consecutive win over the Wallabies in New Zealand. The @AllBlacks have secured the 2016... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2010287/really-wallabies-job-not-under-threat-insists-australia-coach-michael?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2010287/really-wallabies-job-not-under-threat-insists-australia-coach-michael?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Aug 2016 11:00:00 +0000 A rampant New Zealand inflicted further pain on Australia with a 29-9 victory to claim the Bledisloe Cup in Wellington. The Wallabies stayed in touch in the first half, with the All Blacks only ahead 15-9 at the break, but were kept scoreless in the second half as the All Blacks added a further 14 points in the second-round Rugby Championship clash. After thrashing the Wallabies 42-8 in Sydney a week ago, this victory enabled the All Blacks to lock the Bledisloe Cup away for another year making... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2009869/all-blacks-rout-australia-take-14th-consecutive-bledisloe-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2009869/all-blacks-rout-australia-take-14th-consecutive-bledisloe-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Aug 2016 09:45:30 +0000 World champions New Zealand humiliated Australia 42-8 on Saturday to open the Rugby Championship and extend the All Blacks’ recent dominance over their Bledisloe Cup rival. New Zealand scored six tries as they dismantled the Wallabies, who lost centres Matt Giteau, Rob Horne and Matt Toomua through injury – all inside the first half. Man of the match Beauden Barrett scored a try, set up two others and kicked 12 points to lead New Zealand to a comfortable victory in their first meeting against... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2006643/wallabies-walloped-all-blacks-rout-australia-42-8?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2006643/wallabies-walloped-all-blacks-rout-australia-42-8?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Aug 2016 12:15:45 +0000 Australian police on Saturday said they were examining a listening device found in the All Blacks’ Sydney hotel ahead of their clash against the Wallabies, as Australian rugby reportedly rejected as “ludicrous” the idea they had bugged the New Zealanders. The device was planted inside a chair and found during a routine security sweep of an All Blacks’ meeting room in the lead-up to the opening Rugby Championship clash on Saturday night, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said. “The hotel immediately... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2006579/testing-testing-123-all-blacks-bugged-ahead-wallabies-first-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2006579/testing-testing-123-all-blacks-bugged-ahead-wallabies-first-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Aug 2016 07:30:30 +0000 Sonny Bill Williams dedicated a season to prepare for Rio de Janeiro, but when the Olympic Games rugby sevens competition finally kicked off, he spent about eight minutes on the field. Now he’ll be sidelined for up to nine months with an injured Achilles tendon, ruling him out for the All Blacks in 2016. The highest-profile player in rugby’s return to the Olympics after 92 years carried the ball into a tackle early in the second half of New Zealand’s 14-12 upset loss to Japan on Tuesday, then... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2001779/new-zealands-sonny-bill-williams-ruled-out-6-9-months-after-achilles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2001779/new-zealands-sonny-bill-williams-ruled-out-6-9-months-after-achilles?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Aug 2016 04:15:15 +0000 Wallabies back Christian Leali’ifano has been diagnosed with leukaemia and is undergoing treatment in hospital, his ACT Brumbies club said on Saturday. Leali’ifano, who has played 19 tests for Australia and 117 Super Rugby games for the Brumbies, was diagnosed with the cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow following a brief illness. Really tough 24 hours trying to come to terms with news about Christian. One of the most respected and loved players I’ve played alongside Brumbies teammate... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2000008/brumbies-shock-wallaby-christian-lealiifano-hospital-leukaemia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2000008/brumbies-shock-wallaby-christian-lealiifano-hospital-leukaemia?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Aug 2016 06:45:00 +0000 Coach Michael Cheika named five foreign-based stars and four uncapped players on Friday in a 33-man Wallabies squad for the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup campaigns starting this month. The squad is bolstered by experienced French-based Test campaigners Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Will Genia and Quade Cooper in defence of Australia’s Rugby Championship crown. Fly-half Cooper is due to return to Australia ahead of next year’s Super Rugby season following a brief stint... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1999490/guess-whos-back-back-again-french-based-stars-bolster-australia-squad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1999490/guess-whos-back-back-again-french-based-stars-bolster-australia-squad?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Aug 2016 03:15:45 +0000 Steve Hansen has signed a two-year contract extension as coach and will guide New Zealand to the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Hansen, who coached the All Blacks to victory in the 2015 World Cup and was an assistant coach of the team which won in 2011, was initially due to step down after next year’s tour to New Zealand by the British & Irish Lions. The 57-year-old former policeman coached Wales before joining the All Blacks’ coaching staff in 2004. He took over from Graham Henry as coach after the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1994488/it-long-haul-steve-hansen-extends-contract-new-zealand-coach-until-2019?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1994488/it-long-haul-steve-hansen-extends-contract-new-zealand-coach-until-2019?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Jul 2016 06:30:15 +0000 All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will make a decision on his future with the side before this year’s Rugby Championship begins in August. The 57-year-old’s contract with New Zealand Rugby expires at the end of next year but both the organisation and All Blacks senior players have stated they want him to continue through the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Hansen said after last year’s successful World Cup campaign that he would step down at the end of 2017 but has since said he was considering extending... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1986239/will-he-or-wont-he-all-blacks-coach-steve-hansen-make-decision-future?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1986239/will-he-or-wont-he-all-blacks-coach-steve-hansen-make-decision-future?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Jul 2016 10:00:15 +0000 Allister Coetzee was named as the Springbok’s new coach on Tuesday, giving him a mandate to rebuild the national side before the 2019 World Cup in Japan and meet South Africa’s rules on racial inclusion. Across the colour spectrum, players are performing at the moment and every black player that I select will be on merit New South Africa coach Allister Coetzee Coetzee has his work cut out over the next four years after the retirement of stalwarts Victor Matfield, Jean de Villiers and Fourie du... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1935620/allister-coetzees-mandate-transform-springboks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1935620/allister-coetzees-mandate-transform-springboks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Apr 2016 16:45:15 +0000 Australian Rugby Union (ARU) recorded a deficit of almost A$10 million (HK$59.2m) last year in its worst result in over a decade, the organisation has told stakeholders. It’s not something we’re proud of, but it is something we forecast Bill Pulver, ARU chief executive The governing body’s financial predicament worsened after losses of A$9.8m in the 12 months to December 31 followed a A$6.3m deficit in 2014. The result was compounded by the ARU paying A$5m to keep the troubled Melbourne Rebels... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1935401/red-australian-rugby-union-reveals-details-its-worst-financial-losses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1935401/red-australian-rugby-union-reveals-details-its-worst-financial-losses?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Apr 2016 04:15:30 +0000 South Africa’s Rugby World Cup-winning scrum-half Fourie du Preez announced his retirement on his 34th birthday on Thursday, ending a 15-year professional career that included world, southern hemisphere and Super Rugby titles for a player rated at one time the best number nine in the world. Du Preez played his final game for the Springboks at last year’s Rugby World Cup, where South Africa lost in the semi-finals to eventual champions New Zealand. He ended his career at club level with Suntory... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1930480/springboks-world-cup-winner-fourie-du-preez-retires?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1930480/springboks-world-cup-winner-fourie-du-preez-retires?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Mar 2016 15:30:30 +0000 The latest edition of the Six Nations Championship, Europe’s elite international competition, begins February 6 amid much soul-searching in northern hemisphere rugby union. Last year’s Rugby World Cup was the first time no European side had made it into the semi-finals of the showpiece tournament, with the last four places filled by eventual champions New Zealand, runners-up Australia, South Africa and Argentina. Given there had been calls for Argentina to be included in the Six Nations before... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1906557/six-nations-victories-alone-wont-cure-european-blues-says-warren-gatland?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1906557/six-nations-victories-alone-wont-cure-european-blues-says-warren-gatland?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Jan 2016 02:42:58 +0000 Australia's Israel Folau will be sidelined for three months, officials said Thursday as they confirmed he will need surgery for an ankle injury sustained during the Rugby World Cup. The fullback was relatively subdued in the latter stages of the tournament in England, which the All Blacks went on to win in the final against the Wallabies, after he injured an ankle in a pool game. The Australian Rugby Union said scans revealed the 26-year-old would require surgery for the injury, which saw him... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1878227/wallaby-israel-folau-go-under-knife-ankle-injured-during-rwc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1878227/wallaby-israel-folau-go-under-knife-ankle-injured-during-rwc?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Nov 2015 04:00:15 +0000 New Zealand Rugby said Friday it was premature to speculate about Japan joining the Rugby Championship, particularly since there were already concerns about its preparations for the expanded Super Rugby competition next year. The sport is currently on a high in the Asian nation after the Brave Blossoms exploits at the World Cup, which included a stunning 34-32 win over South Africa. With Japan set to host the next edition of the tournament in 2019, World Rugby is keen to consolidate its... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1878388/new-zealand-boss-steve-tew-plays-down-brave-blossoms-link-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1878388/new-zealand-boss-steve-tew-plays-down-brave-blossoms-link-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Nov 2015 01:30:30 +0000