Category: Rugby matters

Rugby matters

Why does Richie Mo’unga rates Noah Lolesio

admin, , , , , ,

All Black Richie Mo’unga knows more than most about pressure but feels Wallabies debutant Noah Lolesio will embrace the challenge of a Bledisloe Cup debut. Mo’unga believes Wallabies rookie Lolesio wouldn’t want it any other way than to be thrown in the cauldron of a Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney on Saturday. Aged just 20, Lolesio will make his Test debut at five-eighth in the must-win match following injuries to both James O’Connor and Matt To’omua. But Mo’unga believes that after steering his Brumbies outfit to the Super Rugby AU…

Read More
Rugby matters

Alun Wyn Jones: From Bonymaen juniors to British and Irish Lions

admin, , , , , ,

It all started on 11 June, 2006 in Argentina. Quite fittingly it was in Puerto Madryn, located in the Welsh-speaking area of Patagonia. A fresh-faced Alun Wyn Jones packed down at blindside flanker in his first Wales international, which the Pumas won 27-25. This was a quiet start to a glittering career that will see Jones run out on Saturday at Parc y Scarlets behind closed doors to become the most capped player in international rugby, having drawn level with Richie McCaw’s previous record of 148 in France last weekend.…

Read More
Rugby matters

OFFICIAL: South Africa are out as Rugby Championship reverts to Tri-Nations for 2020

admin, , , , ,

The Springboks have officially withdrawn from the 2020 Rugby Championship, forcing SANZAAR to change the competition to a three-team Tri-Nations with Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. News broke last night that South Africa were on the verge of announcing their non-participation, and SANZAAR confirmed the reports at midday on Friday. “Naturally, it is extremely disappointing that the Springboks, due to the continued complexities of operating in and around this COVID environment, cannot fully compete in the previously planned six-round Rugby Championship,” CEO Andy Marinos said. “That said, this now presents…

Read More
Rugby matters

Hugs, rugby on agenda as New Zealand continues to ease lockdown

admin, , ,

Super Rugby in New Zealand is poised to resume when the country relaxes its Covid-19 lockdown, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Thursday, with bars, retailers and schools also set to open. Ardern is due to announce next Monday whether New Zealand will move to ‘Alert Level 2’, which allows significantly more freedom than Kiwis have experienced since lockdown began in late March. While she stressed no decision had yet been made, Ardern acknowledged New Zealand’s success in containing the virus had put it in a good position to cautiously relax…

Read More