All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has fired up the verbal war with the British and Irish Lions again, suggesting they play New Zealand style to be competitive in the second Test in Wellington next week. The world champion All Blacks put away their razzle dazzle to get “down and dirty” when they beat the Lions … Read more
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen warned England they could struggle to get out of a treacherous group for the second straight Rugby World Cup. Hansen appeared to play down English hopes of knocking the All Blacks off their perch as rugby’s top side, after the 2003 champions drew France and Argentina among their pool rivals … 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
The All Blacks were Sunday sweating on the availability of captain Kieran Read for the looming British and Irish Lions series after the backrower suffered a broken thumb. Read left the field just before half-time during the Canterbury Crusaders’ 48-21 victory over the Central Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. The bonus point win kept the unbeaten Crusaders … Read more
Ex-England international Josh Lewsey Wednesday said the British and Irish Lions had a great chance to overturn the All Blacks this year with the rebuilding world champions not at the “peak of their powers”. Lewsey, speaking at the official launch of next month’s Hong Kong 10s tournament, said the timing was good for Warren Gatland’s … Read more
Eddie Jones said New Zealand were “there for the taking” after his England side’s bid to better the All Blacks’ record winning streak ended with a defeat by Ireland in Dublin. Ireland, who had also ended New Zealand’s run, won 13-9 at a rainswept Lansdowne Road on Saturday to deny England a 19th successive Test … Read more