Australia coach Michael Cheika defends referee Craig Joubert after Rugby World Cup victory over Scotland October 19, 2015 Australia coach Michael Cheika has defended referee Craig Joubert and backed the South African’s decision to bolt from the pitch at the conclusion of their contentious World Cup quarter-final clash with Scotland on Sunday. The 37-year-old was the centre of attention after awarding the Wallabies a controversial last-gasp penalty, which was duly converted by fly-half [...]
England Rugby World Cup 2015 review panel to include Sir Ian McGeechan and Ben Kay October 19, 2015 England rugby chiefs have confirmed the five-man panel tasked with reviewing the team’s miserable World Cup and effectively deciding the fate of head coach Stuart Lancaster. Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Ian Ritchie is joined by former British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan, ex-England player Ben Kay, Ian Watmore, the one-time chief [...]
Ireland bid for first ever Rugby World Cup semi-final berth ruined by wily Argentina October 19, 2015 Ireland coach Joe Schmidt admitted that his under-strength side lacked the necessary nous and knowhow to overcome a wily Argentina after the Pumas wrecked their chances of a first ever World Cup semi-final berth yesterday. An early blitz and tries from centre Matias Moroni and wing Juan Imhoff saw Argentina surge into a 17-0 lead, [...]
Gallant Scotland suffer Rugby World Cup anguish after controversial last-gasp penalty hands Australia 35-34 victory October 19, 2015 Devastated captain Greig Laidlaw insists his fearless Scotland side have a prosperous future after being cruelly robbed of a place in the World Cup semi-final by a contentious last-gasp penalty as Australia prevailed at Twickenham yesterday. Leading 34-32 with a minute remaining, referee Craig Joubert controversially deemed replacement Jon Welsh to be deliberately offside, although [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Economic impact in Wales worth £316m as New Zealand and France come to Cardiff October 17, 2015 It's not only on the pitch where Wales have performed at this year's Rugby World Cup – the wider economy has scored results too with Cardiff receiving a £316m boost from hosting eight games at the event. Quarter-final matches New Zealand v France and Ireland v Argentina both take place at the Millennium Stadium this weekend, which [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen dares mercurial French to rekindle old flair October 15, 2015 New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has dared rivals France to rediscover their attacking flair when the two sides do battle for a place in the World Cup semi-final at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. There are echoes of the 2007 tournament when France, runners-up in their pool, turned the tables on the much-fancied All Blacks to [...]
Rugby World Cup: Scotland launch robust appeal in aid of banned duo Ross Ford and Jonny Gray October 15, 2015 Scotland have promised a vigorous appeal against the suspensions handed out to forwards Ross Ford and Jonny Gray, which would rule them both out of the remainder of the World Cup. The duo were slapped with three-week bans for their illegal two-man tip-tackle on Samoa flanker Jack Lam, which precludes them from Sunday’s quarter-final clash [...]
Rugby World Cup: Warren Gatland happy to dole out harsh lessons to stoke Welsh pride October 15, 2015 Wales coach Warren Gatland insists that subjecting his players to a brutal review of their failings against Australia will stoke their desire to overpower South Africa in Saturday’s quarter-final. Two-time world champions South Africa will start as favourites against an injury-ravaged Wales, with a showdown with either New Zealand or France the prize on offer for [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015 injuries are a leveller but Ireland should still prevail over Argentina October 15, 2015 The Welsh injury list may be more substantial, but Ireland’s is surely more critical. Against France, talismanic captain Paul O’Connell was stretchered off, while Johnny Sexton limped from the field of play and remains a doubt for Sunday’s clash with Argentina. The back row looks bare too, with freight-train flanker Sean O’Brien banned, [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Investment bank forecasts Wales victory over South Africa in quarter-final – but New Zealand tipped to win tournament October 15, 2015 Wales' squad may be decimated by injuries, but an analyst at investment bank Macquarie has crunched the numbers and still sees Warren Gatland's men beating the Springboks in Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final. Yet they will then be beaten by New Zealand in the semi-final, according to Macquarie, who predict the All Blacks to lift their [...]