Tag - rugby

 
 

RUGBY

Portugal's historic Rugby World Cup win in Toulouse, France, on Sunday, was a reminder of the challenges Tier 2 nations face in the sport.
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Oct 10, 2023
Mind the gap! Rugby's Tier 2 nations want more and better fixtures
Despite providing some moving moments at the Rugby World Cup in France, the sport's minnows are far away from being able to upstage established teams.
Japan had hoped to progress to the knockout phase of the Rugby World Cup on international soil for the first time.
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Oct 10, 2023
Japanese rugby faces murky future following World Cup exit
The 2019 Rugby World Cup, and all that it promised, feels like a long time ago after the Brave Blossoms' pool-stage exit in France.
Australian head coach Eddie Jones' reliance on young players did not work out for the team during the Rugby World Cup
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Oct 9, 2023
High-stakes misses prove costly as Australia crashes out of World Cup
Australia's gambles resulted in an early exit from the Rugby World Cup.
The Brave Blossoms leave the pitch after their loss to Argentina at the Rugby World Cup in Nantes, France, on Sunday.
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Oct 9, 2023
Japan shows heart in bittersweet finale at Rugby World Cup
Japan's hopes at the Rugby World Cup were dashed in a thrilling match against Argentina.
Ireland hooker Ronan Kelleher celebrates his team's win over Scotland in their 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B finale at the State de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, on Saturday.
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Oct 8, 2023
Ireland thrashes Scotland as England avoids Rugby World Cup stumble
England survived a Samoan scare by a point, while Wales beat Georgia to top Pool C.
Japan fullback Lomano Lemeki breaks free from Samoa's Ben Lam during their Pool D match at the Rugby World Cup in Toulouse, France, on Sept. 28.
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Oct 7, 2023
Brave Blossoms braced for climactic showdown against Argentina
The winner of the match will advance to the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals.
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph holds a news conference last month in Toulouse, France.
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Oct 6, 2023
Japan coach Joseph makes just one change for Argentina showdown
Coach Jamie Joseph has largely kept faith with the side that beat Samoa 28-22 last time out, with just Fifita Siosaia replacing Jone Naikabula.
New Zealand's Damian McKenzie scores a try against Uruguay during the Rugby World Cup in Lyon, France, on Thursday.
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Oct 6, 2023
New Zealand routs Uruguay to cruise into RWC quarterfinals
The All Blacks ran their tally to 36 tries and 240 points in the three matches since their opening defeat against France.
Jamie Joseph is aiming to bring Japan to the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals in a second straight tournament.
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Oct 3, 2023
Jamie Joseph's evolution sparked Brave Blossoms' transformation
The Brave Blossoms will qualify for the last eight for the second successive time under Joseph if they beat Argentina in Nantes on Sunday.
South Africa's fly-half Manie Libbok prepares a kick during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Tonga at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France, on Sunday.
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Oct 2, 2023
Springboks beat feisty Tonga 49-18 to close in on quarters
While Tonga put on a brave showing, South Africa fed off their errors and had too much guile and experience.
Scotland's Darcy Graham scores a try against Romania in their Rugby World Cup Pool B match in Lille, France, on Saturday.
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Oct 1, 2023
Darcy Graham magic keeps Scotland's last-eight hopes intact
Romania has conceded 242 points in its opening three games.
Japan's Kotaro Matsushima attempts to avoid being tackled by Samoa's Ed Fidow during their match at the Rugby World Cup in Toulouse, France, on Thursday.
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Sep 29, 2023
Japan keeps quarterfinal hopes alive with win over Samoa at World Cup
Japan will now face Argentina in Nantes on Oct. 8 with the winner likely moving on to the last eight.
Uruguay's Felipe Arcos Perez is tackled during his team's Pool A match against Namibia at the Rugby World Cup in Lyon, France, on Wednesday.
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Sep 28, 2023
Uruguay accomplishes mission with win over Namibia at Rugby World Cup
The South Americans made the most of Namibia's poor discipline to stage a second-half comeback and prevail 36-26 to avoid finishing last in Pool A.
The Brave Blossoms train at Ernest-Wallon Stadium in Toulouse, France, ahead of their Rugby World Cup game against Samoa on Tuesday.
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Sep 27, 2023
Stakes high for Brave Blossoms as crucial Samoa clash looms
The scene is now set for the tussle in Toulouse, a city where rugby is baked into every terracotta tile and coral-colored shopfront.
Namibia's players acknowledge the crowd after their 96-0 defeat to France at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Marseille, France, on Thursday.
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Sep 26, 2023
Uruguay and Namibia braced for their Rugby World Cup 'final'
The two sides have met five times before with Uruguay winning four of those, including a World Cup warmup in August.
Australia head coach Eddie Jones directs his team before their match against Wales at the Rugby World Cup in Lyon, France, on Sunday.
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Sep 25, 2023
Eddie Jones affirms commitment to Australia despite link to Japan job
Jones previously coached Japan for three years from 2012 and led the Brave Blossoms to a stunning upset of South Africa at the 2015 World Cup.
Wales' Aaron Wainwright celebrates with fans after his team's win over Australia at the Rugby World Cup in Lyon, France, on Sunday.
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Sep 25, 2023
Wales blows out Australia to punch ticket to World Cup quarterfinals
Wales became the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup after producing a record-breaking performance against Australia.
Ireland's scrum-half Conor Murray (far left) celebrates victory at the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match against South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on Saturday.
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Sep 24, 2023
Ireland beat South Africa in statement World Cup win as England romp
Ireland absorbed near-constant pressure from the physically imposing South Africans and took their chances when they got them.
France's Antoine Dupont receives medical attention after sustaining an injury during the team's 96-0 victory over Namibia in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, in Marseille, France, on Thursday.
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Sep 22, 2023
France's Dupont has 'suspected broken jaw' after Namibia thrashing
The loss of 26-year-old Dupont, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, would be a severe blow to host nation France's chances.
Fiji can credit its historic Pool C win over Australia on Sunday to significant investment by World Rugby as well as the inclusion of a local team in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
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Sep 20, 2023
Fiji shows the way, but it is unlikely many others will follow
More investment and structural changes will be needed before rugby union's minnows can regularly challenge the sport's leading nations.

Longform

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A boom for business tourism in Japan?