Tag Archives: All Blacks

Beauden Barrett will still be eligible for All Blacks selection next year despite his upcoming move to Japan where he will play for Top League side, Suntory Sungoliath.  This move will be a part of a ‘sabbatical’ which is essentially a year playing outside of New Zealand which is increasingly being allowed to take place within New Zealand Rugby contracts …

The growing trend of professional rugby players moving to Japan continues with the news that Beauden Barrett is set for a lucrative move to the Suntory Sungoliath. According to the Mail on Sunday’s Nik Simon, the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year has agreed to a two-year deal worth NZ$1.5m per season. The utility back, who is equally adept …

A cross-code clash between the All Blacks and the Kangaroos, Australia’s rugby league national team, could take place at the end of the year.  The proposal of this hybrid match was put forward by promoter Dean Lonergan and it is said that it is under consideration by both New Zealand Rugby and the Australian Rugby League. Sport and rugby in …

Sam Whitelock has admitted his intrigue surrounding the possibility of southern hemisphere clubs facing their northern hemisphere rivals under the global rugby strategy mooted by Sir Bill Beaumont. Beaumont was re-appointed World Rugby chairman on Sunday with an annual cross-hemisphere tournament proving to be one of his main goals. If implemented, this would mean Japan and Fiji join the Rugby …

You can say it was the end of New Zealand’s season, it was ‘only a friendly’, but regardless of the circumstances, there’s no denying that Ireland’s victory over the All Blacks in Chicago in 2016 was a significant and historic moment.  Less than a month after losing Irish rugby legend Anthony Foley, Joe Schmidt’s charges took to Soldier Field with …

Steve Hansen has thrown his support behind the idea of another clash between the All Blacks and the British and Irish Lions next year prior to the Lions tour of South Africa. The idea was suggested by head coach Warren Gatland earlier this month as a way of generating much-needed revenue for the game with many governing bodies struggling amid …

Dan Carter has announced that his time in Japan with the Kobelco Steelers has come to an end. The former All Blacks out-half joined the Japanese club in 2018 following three seasons in Paris with Racing 92. Carter helped the club to a Top League title in his first season. However, with this year’s campaign cancelled due to the COVID-19 …

New All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has confirmed the majority of his new coaching ticket which includes two former Ireland assistant coaches.  Foster has appointed John Plumtree as New Zealand’s new forwards coach, the former Hurricanes head coach recently took charge of Ireland’s forwards during the early days of Joe Schmidt’s Ireland tenure in 2013 and 2014. Plumtree also …

Newly-appointed New Zealand head coach Ian Foster says he is “truly privileged and honoured” to succeed Steve Hansen in the top role.  The 54-year-old was tipped to become head coach having worked alongside Hansen as assistant head coach of the All Blacks since 2012 and beat out Crusaders boss Scott Robertson who also interviewed for the position. New Zealand Rugby …

New Zealand hooker Dane Coles isn’t too concerned about the fine England received following their V-shaped formation when facing the All Blacks haka but admitted that he and his teammates found the response “awesome.” England were fined and reprimanded for the response which saw them breach World Rugby’s rule which states that an opposition team cannot cross the half-way line …

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has made seven changes to the side who lost out to England in the World Cup semi-final last week for their third-place play-off against Wales on Friday.  Dane Coles comes in at hooker for Codie Taylor, Shannon Frizell starts at blindside flanker for Scott Barrett who moves to the second row replacing Sam Whitelock …

England have been fined for the V-shape formation the team made when facing New Zealand’s haka before their clash with the All Blacks in last weekend’s World Cup semi-final. According to the Guardian, England have been reprimanded and fined a four figure sum although it is believed to be less than the £2,500 that France had to pay for adopting …

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus does not believe that England’s response to the haka in their 19-7 win over New Zealand on Saturday was disrespectful. Eddie Jones’ side lined up in a V-formation while facing down the All Blacks in a move they say meant “no offence” to the opposition. According to World Rugby rules, no team is allowed to …

New Zealand captain Kieran Read has been reflecting on his side’s disappointing World Cup semi-final defeat to England on Saturday as the All Blacks look to bounce back in next week’s third place play-off against Wales. The All Blacks were outclassed by an incredibly strong English side as their dreams of a third World Cup triumph in a row were …

After five weeks of Rugby World Cup action, we finally know who will be contesting the final on November 2.  England will meet South Africa where both sides will be hoping to lift the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time since 2003 and 2007, respectively. This will also be a repeat of the 2007 final. The dreaded third-place playoff …

Owen Farrell and his teammates have explained why England lined up against the haka in a V shape immediately before kick-off in today’s World Cup semi-final.  As Ireland learned last week, taking a step forward against the haka doesn’t always result in an inspired performance but England decided to take a different approach for their clash with the reigning champions. …

The All Blacks’ dream to win a third successive Rugby World Cup came to a shuddering halt on Saturday as England produced a performance for the ages to completely dominate their opponents and emerge with a 19-7 victory.  The scoreline doesn’t do England justice as they should have won by much more and they will now look forward to a …

England 19 All Blacks 7 England have reached their first World Cup final since 2007 after producing a performance for the ages to beat the reigning champions 19-7 at the Yokohama Stadium. England were completely deserving of their victory and in truth, it should have been by a greater margin as they absolutely bested their southern hemisphere opponents in every …