RugbyWA has launched legal action against the Australian Rugby Union in a bid to keep threatened Super franchise Western Force afloat as the axe hovers over the club. A writ against the governing body was lodged on Monday evening, Western Australia’s rugby body said, notifying the ARU of the intention to apply for an injunction … Read more
South Africa’s Western Stormers joined Canterbury Crusaders as the only undefeated teams in this season’s Super Rugby after ending the Waikato Chiefs’ unbeaten start, while Japan’s Sunwolves broke through for their first win this weekend. Ahead of governing body SANZAAR’s much-anticipated announcement of Super Rugby’s future make-up later Sunday, the Stormers downed the Chiefs 34-26 … Read more
The Waikato Chiefs have been told to get their act together for their Super Rugby clash with the Northern Bulls after an unconvincing win over the struggling Melbourne Rebels. Coach Dave Rennie read the riot act to the two-time champions after they needed a late burst to overcome Australia’s bottom-placed team in their last outing. … Read more
Blue cards are set to be issued to players suffering from signs of concussion, the Australian Rugby Union said Thursday in a bid to improve safety during matches. The system, to be trialled in the ARU’s Australian Capital Territory and Newcastle competitions in coming weeks, will require those showing signs of concussion to leave the … Read more
The table-topping Waikato Chiefs face a “pretty rigorous review” after struggling to beat the Melbourne Rebels who led a revival of the lesser lights in round four of Super Rugby. The Chiefs have 19 points out of a maximum 20 from the first four rounds, but coach Dave Rennie was not impressed with the way … Read more
The pacesetting Waikato Chiefs have taken the opportunity to experiment as they escape another round of frenzied local derbies for their first trans-Tasman game of the Super Rugby season. After a tough first three weeks against the Otago Highlanders, Auckland Blues and Wellington Hurricanes, the Chiefs have a favourable round-four match against the winless Rebels … Read more
Beaten Wellington coach Chris Boyd complained that some off-the-ball incidents “have no place” in rugby after his Hurricanes were beaten by the Waikato Chiefs in a fiery New Zealand derby. The Chiefs knocked the Hurricanes off the top of the Super Rugby standings at the weekend in a clash that epitomised the ferocity of New … Read more
Curwin Bosch was the unexpected 27-point star as Coastal Sharks of South Africa defeated New South Wales Waratahs of Australia 37-14 in a Super Rugby match Saturday. The teenage utility back started the match at Kings Park stadium in Durban among the replacements only to be thrust into action after six minutes when captain Patrick … Read more
Utility back Kurtley Beale has signed a two-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union and New South Wales Waratahs after rejecting a lucrative contract at England’s Wasps to focus on the 2019 World Cup. Beale, 28, is reportedly the Premiership’s highest-paid player, and with 60 caps he would be eligible for Wallabies selection even if … Read more
Defending champions Wellington Hurricanes prepare to unleash their big guns this weekend but the pressure is on Super Rugby’s lesser lights amid talk of slimming down the 18-team competition. Governing body SANZAAR meet next week to discuss how to tackle Super Rugby’s unwieldy conference structure, exhausting travel schedules and lopsided contests which are now sprawled … Read more
A new Super Rugby season kicks off this week with bosses pledging to tackle its unwieldy conference structure, exhausting travel schedules and lopsided contests. There will be a first fixture in Samoa in June, meaning the 2017 Super Rugby season will now straddle 17 time zones and four continents. The competition will retain the much-criticised … Read more