All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith announced Friday he was leaving the world champions, saying he needed to “take a break” from the game. The widely respected Smith, part of the brains trust that helped guide New Zealand to back-to-back World Cups, said he would step down at the end of the Rugby Championship in … Read more
Japan coach Jamie Joseph said Thursday that the Brave Blossoms were World Cup small fry, despite a breakout performance two years ago. The host nation will share the same pool as Ireland and Scotland for the 2019 tournament following Wednesday’s draw in Kyoto, where Joseph confessed to feeling a little intimidated. “It wasn’t until I … Read more
England were hit with a horror World Cup draw alongside France and Argentina on Wednesday in a devilishly tricky bracket that French coach Guy Noves called a “death group”. The 2003 champions were handed the toughest assignment of rugby’s top nations, with holders New Zealand drawing South Africa and Italy in Pool B. Two-time winners … Read more
One-Test All Black James Broadhurst announced his retirement from rugby on Friday, saying he had been unable to shake off the impacts of concussion. The 29-year-old has not played since suffering two head knocks representing Taranaki in August 2015, revealing he still suffers symptoms that affect his daily life more than 18 months later. Broadhurst … Read more
Auckland Blues hardman Jerome Kaino has joined a growing list of All Blacks sidelined by injury as the Super Rugby competition takes its toll ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour. Kaino is to undergo surgery on an injured knee on Friday and will be out of action for six weeks, putting him in … Read more
The Canterbury Crusaders remained unbeaten as New Zealand teams dominated Super Rugby this weekend ahead of June’s British and Irish Lions tour. The seven-time champions smashed leading South African contenders Western Stormers 57-24 in Christchurch as Kiwi teams won all four of their encounters. George Bridge claimed a hat-trick and Kieran Read added a double … Read more
All Black halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow announced a move to France’s La Rochelle Wednesday, becoming the latest New Zealander to head overseas after failing to cement a starting spot with the world champions. The 26-year-old said he would join the Top 14 leaders on a three-year deal after completing the Super Rugby season with the Waikato … Read more
All Blacks back Israel Dagg said Monday he had signed to stay in New Zealand until the end of 2019, turning down lucrative offers from overseas clubs. Retaining the 28-year-old is a major coup for New Zealand Rugby, which last week also secured fullback Ben Smith’s services until 2020. Dagg said he had to weigh … Read more