Tag Archives: World Cup

The European Championships may be postponed for another year, but now is the ideal time to take a trip down memory lane with the Boys in Green. In 1990, Ireland, led by Jack Charlton, reached their first-ever World Cup finals as they finished second to Spain in their qualifying group, losing just one game and conceded only two goals through …

By Robert Redmond & Oisin McQueirns _____ Over the years, Ireland has developed some incredibly talented footballers that have had the chance to shine on the biggest international stages. The likes of Ronnie Whelan at Euro 88, Paul McGrath at the World Cup in 1994, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane in Korea and Japan in 2002 – there’s been plenty. …

Beauden Barrett has appeared to throw his support behind Ian Foster to succeed Steve Hansen as the New Zealand head coach.  Hansen stepped down from the role following the All Blacks’ 40-17 victory over Wales in the Rugby World Cup Bronze Final after eight years in charge. Barrett was speaking to media as the side arrived back in New Zealand …

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi spoke passionately after his side were crowned world champions about the impact the win would have in the country.  Rassie Erasmus’ side recorded a 32-12 win over England following a phenomenal performance, backboned by their dominance at the set-piece. Makazole Mapimpi became the first man to score a try for South Africa in a World …

Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that he will step down from his role as South Africa head coach following the World Cup final on Saturday. However, the 47-year-old will remain as the country’s Director of Rugby with current defence coach Jacques Nienaber likely to take over as head coach. It was thought that Erasmus would stay in the role for the …

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 …

With so many different narratives running through this week, facing the haka in the bronze final on Friday is of little concern to Wales head coach Warren Gatland.  The 56-year-old will take charge of his final game for Wales following 12 years at the helm and it’s quite fitting that his native country of New Zealand will provide the opposition. …

Wales winger Owen Lane is set to make his World Cup debut in the third-place play-off against New Zealand on Friday. The Cardiff Blues player was a late call-up to the squad last week in place of the injured Josh Navidi. He is one of nine changes and is named to start in the backline alongside Hallam Amos at full-back …

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 head coach Eddie Jones has hit back at Warren Gatland after the New Zealand native claimed that England had peaked in the semi-final stage of the World Cup. Following his side’s loss to South Africa on Sunday, Wales coach Gatland was asked his thoughts on England’s performance the previous day. While he was very impressed with Jones’ outfit, the …

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 …

New Zealand scrum-half Aaron Smith has admitted that his aim was to intimidate England’s captain Owen Farrell in the haka prior to today’s semi-final in Yokohama. England came away from the clash with the spoils following their dominant 19-7 win. Eddie Jones’ side showed their intent right from the off with a try after 98 seconds. Prior to that, the …

Wales head coach Warren Gatland was not short on confidence today as he named his side to face South Africa in the World Cup semi-final this weekend.  The Six Nations champions have yet to show their top form in the tournament having looked unconvincing in their group victories while it took a last-minute try from Ross Moriarty to seal a …

A range of sports were mentioned as a relaxed Beauden Barrett sat before the media in Japan as the New Zealand team to play England in the World Cup semi-final was announced.  The former World Player of the Year is a keen golfer and with the ZOZO Championship taking place this week in Japan, he took a break from the …

Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has said that he is “blown away” by the number of offers to continue his coaching career since announcing his decision to step down.  In November of last year, the New Zealand native confirmed that he would step away from the role following the World Cup while he would also take a break from …

South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has insisted that his side would never partake in spying on an opponent as they prepare for their World Cup semi-final showdown with Wales.  The issue of spying came to light earlier this week when England head coach Eddie Jones claimed that his sessions were being filmed with a long lens camera by someone …

France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina has announced his retirement from international rugby duty one day after his side were knocked out of the World Cup by Wales in the quarter-final.  The 28-year-old was sent off during the dramatic 20-19 loss following an elbow on Wales flanker Aaron Wainwright.  Vahaamahina maintains that he always intended on retiring following the conclusion of France’s …

Munster head coach Johann van Graan is currently preparing his squad for an exhaustive period of games that will see the side in action 13 weeks in a row.  To add to the challenge, the South Africa native must integrate back into the squad the 12 players who will return to Ireland from the World Cup in Japan carrying the …