more stories

England, Scotland survive tough WCup openers

Sports | Rugby union
2011-9-11

ARGENTINA'S Pumas, the Brave Blossoms of Japan and the Oaks of Romania challenged rugby's rigid pecking order yesterday, threatening to bring down major European powers England, France and Scotland, respectively,...

---

Kiwis party as All Blacks open with win

Sports | Rugby union
2011-9-10

THIS Rugby World Cup is already delivering a new addition to the New Zealand lexicon: the flash mob haka. On the opening day of the seventh World Cup yesterday, performers of the traditional Maori war dance wowed...

---

All Blacks turn down experience for youth flair

Sports | Rugby union
2011-9-8

RELIABLE experience was axed for youthful flair yesterday when New Zealand coach Graham Henry selected Israel Dagg at fullback in place of Mils Muliaina for the All Blacks' rugby World Cup opener against Tonga. ...

---

World Cup to kick off in distinctively Pacific style

Sports | Rugby union
2011-9-8

THE Rugby World Cup is destined to start with a loud, angry and physical confrontation, even before kickoff when New Zealand opens against Tonga. The Tongans won a toss of the coin which allows them to start their...

---

Moody out of England's Cup opener

Sports | Rugby union
2011-9-6

ENGLAND captain Lewis Moody has failed to recover from a knee injury and will miss his side's opening World Cup match against Argentina in Dunedin on Saturday, manager Martin Johnson has said. "Lewis won't play...

---

Auckland greets All Black stars

Sports | Rugby union
2011-9-4

THE New Zealand All Blacks arrived to a huge welcome in Auckland yesterday ahead of their World Cup opener against Tonga as coach Graham Henry delivered the good news that injured, dynamic loose forward Kieran Read...

---

South African greats aim to go out with a bang

Sports | Rugby union
2011-9-1

JOHN Smit and Victor Matfield have done more than play international rugby together. They've grown up together. After the World Cup in New Zealand they plan to retire together - as world champions. South Africa's...

---

Forwards the key to World Cup success, says Lomu

Sports | Rugby union
2011-8-31

WHILE offloads, darting runs, switch moves and sidesteps will make highlight packages and please fans it will be good old fashioned forward grunt that will win the Rugby World Cup, former New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu...

---

Double Wallaby joy as Cooper cleared

Sports | Rugby union
2011-8-29

THE continuing animosity between Australia flyhalf Quade Cooper and New Zealand captain Richie McCaw took the focus momentarily off the Wallabies' first Tri-Nations tournament win in a decade. Both teams hope...

---

Korea wins in Shanghai

Sports | Rugby union
2011-8-29

SOUTH Korea won the men's title at the Shanghai Sevens, the first event of the HSBC Asian Seven Series, beating China's Hong Kong 22-17 with a try in sudden death extra-time yesterday. Hong Kong led 17-0 early...

---

Beale fires Wallabies to Tri-Nations crown

Sports | Rugby union
2011-8-28

KURTLEY Beale finished off a brilliant sweeping move to give Australia enough breathing space to beat New Zealand 25-20 in Brisbane yesterday and win the Tri-Nations title for the first time since 2001. The Wallabies...

---

Heavyweights battle for title

Sports | Rugby union
2011-8-26

AUSTRALIA and New Zealand head into tomorrow's Tri-Nations decider insisting their focus is on the silverware but both sides will be keenly aware that far more than southern hemisphere bragging rights are on the line. ...

---

Shanghai to kick off inaugural Asian series

Sports | Rugby union
2011-8-24

THE Shanghai Sevens, the inaugural Asian Sevens Series, kicks off this weekend at the Yuanshen Stadium in Pudong. The competition features four tournaments in its first year. The Shanghai Sevens and the Borneo...

---

Australia rings in the changes for decider

Sports | Rugby union
2011-8-24

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans recalled centre Anthony Fainga'a and forwards Dan Vickerman and Radike Samo yesterday for the Tri-Nations decider against New Zealand in Brisbane. Lock Vickerman will join newly appointed...

---

Steyn kicks Boks past All Blacks

Sports | Rugby union
2011-8-22

MORNE Steyn kicked all of South Africa's points in a pressure-releasing 18-5 win for the under-fire world champion over New Zealand in the Tri-Nations in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on Saturday. Steyn landed...