Lukes look to clinch fifth European Cup rugby title

2011-12-18T02:30:11Z

Luke McAlister and Luke Burgess believe they can build a joint New Zealand-Australian platform for Toulouse to clinch a fifth European Cup title.

The French giants, one of just three sides left in the tournament with a perfect three wins in three games, can virtually wrap up a quarter-final spot with victory over Leinster ran in seven tries in a 52-27 demolition of Bath in Dublin on Saturday to go six points clear at the top of Pool Three and move closer to a European Cup quarter-final spot.

A week after beating the English side 18-13 in Bath, the Irishmen ran rampant, making sure of a bonus point after Leicester relaunched their bid for a place in the quarter-finals of the European Cup with a gritty 23-19 win over French heavyweights Clermont on Saturday.

Leicester, the 2001 and 2002 champions, suffered their first defeat in Pool Four last week when they succumbed 30-12 in Auvergne.

However, a solid second-half defensive performance, combined with the boot of

Wilkinson signs new Toulon contract

2011-12-17T08:30:22Z

Jonny Wilkinson has signed a one year extension to his contract at Toulon, the new deal tying the former England fly-half to the French Top 14 club until 2013.

The news comes at the end of a week in which the 32-year-old 2003 World Cu...

Saracens end Ospreys 17-match unbeaten run

2011-12-16T16:30:40Z

Saracens edged closer to the European Cup quarter-finals on Friday with a gritty 16-13 victory over Ospreys which ended the Welsh side's six-year, 17-match unbeaten home record in the tournament.

The win gave the English champions 14 points at the top of Pool Five, two ahead of Biarritz who picked up a bonus-point 29-12 victory over Treviso while defeat virtually ended Ospreys hopes of making the last eight.

In the night's...

Steve Hansen appointed new All Blacks coach

2011-12-15T19:31:05Z

The New Zealand Rugby Union appointed Steve Hansen as the new coach of the world champion All Blacks, replacing Graham Henry who stepped down after winning the World Cup.

Hansen was ...

All Blacks to name new coach

2011-12-14T08:30:38Z

World Cup-winners New Zealand will name their new coach on Friday with Steve Hansen the leading candidate, the team's official website said.

The announcement of the All Blacks coach and his assistants has been keenly anticipated since Jonny Wilkinson helped Toulon climb to third in the French Top 14 with the former England international contributing four penalties in his club's 34-12 win over Agen on Tuesday.

Twenty four hours after he announced he was quitting the international scene Wilkinson starred for Toulon with a 12 point haul despite missing three convers...

All Black Guildford banned for drunk antics

2011-12-13T18:30:51Z

All Blacks and Canterbury Crusaders' wing Zac Guildford has been barred from the first Super 15 game next year as punishment for his drunken spree in the Cook Islands last month.

In a ruling released Wednesday following a New Zealand rugby officials voiced confidence Wednesday that change is on the way despite the re-election of Frenchman Bernard Lapasset as International Rugby Board chairman.

At an IRB Council meeting in Los Angeles on Monday, Lapasset was returned for a second term in ...

Jonny Wilkinson retires from Test rugby

2011-12-12T20:30:32Z

England fly-half great Jonny Wilkinson has retired from international rugby union.

"I would like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from international rugby," Wilkinson, said in a statement on his own website, www.jonnywilkinson.com.

"To do so fills me with great sadness, but I know I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with...

Lapasset to remain International Rugby Board boss

2011-12-12T20:30:30Z

In a political fight to control the direction of global rugby for the next four years, Frenchman Bernard Lapasset edged former England captain Bill Beaumont on Monday to remain in charge.

Lapasset was elected to a second consecutive term as chairman of the International Rugby Board in a 14-12 vote o...

Wilkinson retires from Test rugby

2011-12-12T19:30:31Z

England fly-half great Jonny Wilkinson retired from international rugby union on Monday.

"I would like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from international rugby," Wilkinson, said in a statement on his own website, www.jonnywilkinson.com.

"To do so fills me with great sadness, but I know I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I hav...

Woodward salutes 'team man' Wilkinson

2011-12-12T17:30:54Z

Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward praised Jonny Wilkinson as a "marvellous team man" after the fly-half announced his retirement from international rugby union here on Monday.

It was Woodward who gave Wilkinson the first of his 91 England caps in 1998 and he was still in charge when the No 10 landed the extra-t...

Lapasset and Beaumont resume battle to be IRB boss

2011-12-12T02:30:22Z

Bernard Lapasset and Bill Beaumont will resume their contest to be world rugby's top administrator in the unlikely setting of Los Angeles Airport on Monday.

The vote in a election between current International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Lapasset and vice-chairman Beaumont, a for...

Centurion O'Gara drives Munster to win over Scarlets

2011-12-10T17:30:19Z

Two-time European champions Munster produced a trademark gritty performance, inspired by Irish fly-half Ronan O'Gara on his 100th European Cup appearance, to edge Welsh side Scarlets 17-14 on Saturday.

Munster's three wins from their three pool matches have seen them prevail by the barest of margins, O'Gara landing two last-second drop goals to get them past North...

Toulouse end Harlequins' winning run

2011-12-09T21:30:13Z

Four-time champions Toulouse brought Harlequins' 14-match winning run to an end on Friday with a muscular and stylish 21-10 European Cup victory which nudged the French giants closer to the quarter-finals.

Fijian winger Timoci Matanavou scored both of Toulouse's tries at the Twickenham Stoop in the first of a Pool Six double-header which expos...

Quins, Toulouse lead way in European Cup rugby weekend

2011-12-09T02:30:15Z

Harlequins, with 14 successive wins in all competitions this season, tackle four-time champions Toulouse on Friday on a European Cup weekend where the top two sides in each of the six pools clash.

Harlequins, the English Premiership leaders, welcome the French Top 14 pace-setters to the Twickenham Stoop, in the first of a double-header which s...

Lancaster to coach England in rugby Six Nations

2011-12-08T12:30:25Z

Stuart Lancaster will be England's caretaker during their defence of the Six Nations title, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced here on Thursday.

Lancaster, currently coach of the reserve England Saxons, will be supported by

England rugby player Ashton gets four-week ban

2011-12-06T19:30:51Z

England's Chris Ashton was banned for four weeks from all rugby on Tuesday for pulling the hair of Leicester's Alesana Tuilagi during Northampton's Premiership defeat by the Tigers on Saturday.

Ashton, who was punished by a disciplinary panel for "acts contrary to good sp...

McCaw slams 'filthy' French in rugby W.Cup gouge claim

2011-12-05T19:30:30Z

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has spoken for the first time about allegedly being eye gouged in the Rugby World Cup final, reportedly accusing France of "filthy" play in the tournament decider.

McCaw said he was surprised French centre

Wallaby rugby winger Ioane rejects Japan offer

2011-12-05T04:30:32Z

Wallaby winger Digby Ioane has knocked back a huge Japanese offer to sign an extended three-year deal with the Queensland Reds and the Australian Rugby Union, both unions said Monday.

Ioane, 26, agreed to the long-term deal with Queensland<...

Wallabies edge Wales in Williams' farewell

2011-12-03T14:30:25Z

Australia beat Wales 24-18 in their one-off rugby union test at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

In what was a repeat of the World Cup third-place match, which the Wallabies also won, the game marked...

New Zealand puts Super 15 sides up for sale

2011-12-02T17:30:32Z

Four New Zealand's five Super 15 rugby union franchises have been put up for partial sale with no restriction on where the private stakeholders come from, though the teams may not move abroad.

The "For Sale" signs appeared in newspapers on Saturday, and the move could see, for example, the most successful Super team, the Canterbury Crusaders, be...

RFU say sorry for World Cup as Andrew gets 'demoted'

2011-11-30T17:31:20Z

Rugby Football Union (RFU) acting chief executive Stephen Brown apologised Wednesday for England's dismal World Cup display as Rob Andrew was removed from direct involvement with the senior team.

En...

Players' union issues depression advice

2011-11-30T17:31:05Z

England's Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) is set to increase the circulation of a booklet offering guidance on coping with depression to 50,000 former players following Gary Speed's death.

Although no evidence has yet been produced that former

Biarritz called to account over rugby derby fracas

2011-11-30T15:30:47Z

Biarritz have been summoned to a hearing by the disciplinary commission of the National Rugby League (LNR) after the father of Biarritz captain Imanol Harinordoquy ran onto the pitch during Tuesday's fiery Top 14 Basque derby with Bayonne.

Both clubs will also have to explain the series of punch-ups that littered the 100th derby which Biarr...

Kirwan up for England rugby job

2011-11-30T13:30:55Z

New Zealand great John Kirwan is happy to step into the void created by Martin Johnson's resignation as England coach -- even if it means operating within the existing Rugby Football Union (RFU) set-up.

...

Rugby player Harinordoquy's dad leaps to son's defence

2011-11-29T20:30:42Z

The father of French international Imanol Harinordoquy brought the Top 14 Basque derby between Biarritz and Bayonne to a halt after running onto the pitch to defend his son.

According to an AFP correspondent Harinordoquy's father came down from the stands in the sixth minute of the clash and faced up to Bayonne flanker Jean-Jo Marmouyet after his son got ...

Biarritz edge Bayonne in fiery 100th Basque rugby derby

2011-11-29T20:30:40Z

Biarritz won the 100th Basque derby with the last kick of the game on Tuesday as Julien Peyrelongue landed a penalty to beat Top 14 rivals Bayonne 21-19 and give the hosts only their second win in 11 matches.

In a fiery encounter, three players were sin-binned while the father of Biarritz star Imano...

Rebels warn Cipriani fly-half spot is open

2011-11-29T04:30:53Z

Danny Cipriani is not guaranteed to play at fly-half for the Melbourne Rebels in next year's Super 15 series following the arrival of Wallaby James O'Connor, coach Damien Hill warned Tuesday.

Cipriani, who played for the Barbarians against the

Rugby player Tindall reinstated and has fine reduced after appeal

2011-11-28T18:30:55Z

World Cup winning centre Mike Tindall effectively won his appeal against a £25,000 fine and being dropped from the England Elite player squad on Monday when the fine was reduced to £15,000 and he was reinstated into the squad.

The decision by acting British and Irish Lions will play the Wallabies in three Tests on their nine-match tour of Australia in 2013, the Australian Rugby Union said on Monday.

The Lions, featuring the best players from South Africa great Victor Matfield launched a far better defence of the Barbarians than the one his side managed on the pitch after their 60-11 thrashing by Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

It was not the way the Barbarians captain would have wanted to bow out o...

Cipriani aims for England return

2011-11-26T17:30:20Z

Danny Cipriani insisted he still had ambitions to play for England after his first match in Twickenham since 2008 ended in defeat as Australia thrashed the Barbarians 60-11 on Saturday.

It was nearly three years to the day since fly-half Cipriani, who now plays for Australian S...

Nagusa double sparks Clermont defeat

2011-11-26T15:30:44Z

Two tries from Fijian wing Timoci Nagusa inspired last season's French title finalists Montpellier to a thrilling 29-23 victory over 2010 champions Clermont on Saturday.

Montpellier kicker Benoit Paillaugue contributed all the other 19 points and evoked memories of the winners' form last season which they have found tough to replicate this term.

However...

Australia crush Barbarians in record rout

2011-11-26T14:30:22Z

Australia warmed-up for their Test away to Wales next weekend by running in eight tries as they overwhelmed the star-studded Barbarians by a record 60-11 win at Twickenham on Saturday.

Both Australia wings, Lachie Turner and Stade Francais deepened Perpignan's Top 14 home woes with a runaway 35-16 victory on Friday, stretching the Catalan club's losing streak at the Stade Aime Giral to seven matches.

Four tries from Samoa full-back Paul Williams, Rob Andrew, admitted Thursday he'd should have given England manager Martin Johnson more support but insisted he too would not be resigning after a shambolic World Cup campaign.

England's campaign was dominated by off-field scandals and lacklustre on-f...

Henry rules out England rugby job

2011-11-22T15:30:52Z

Graham Henry ruled out the possibility of replacing Martin Johnson as England manager on Tuesday, saying: "It is time to move on."

Henry, who stepped down as New Zealand coach after guiding the All Black...

Appeal by England rugby player Tindall on Thursday

2011-11-22T09:30:38Z

England international Mike Tindall's appeal against the £25,000 fine imposed on him by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) for his night out during the World Cup will be heard at Twickenham on Thursday.

O'Gara works his drop goal magic again

2011-11-19T16:30:19Z

Irish rugby great Ronan O'Gara landed his second time added-on drop goal in successive European Cup games to give two-time champions Munster a 27-24 victory over Castres on Saturday.

The 34-year-old fly-half, who had given Munster the win over last season's finalists Northampton with a drop goal in the fourth minute of time added-on last weekend, landed the...

Woodward rules out return to England coaching role

2011-11-17T21:30:19Z

Clive Woodward has insisted he has no desire to coach England again following Martin Johnson's resignation as manager.

Johnson lifted the World Cup in 2003 as England captain when Woodward was the team's manager....

Mallett rules out England rugby job

2011-11-16T19:30:29Z

Nick Mallett said Wednesday he was no longer a candidate to succeed Martin Johnson as coach of England.

"I have decided that I will not be making myself available for the position and I have disclosed this to the RFU (England's Rugby Football Union)," Mallett said in a statement.

Former <...

Clermont's Canadian lock Cudmore banned for 20 days

2011-11-16T16:31:05Z

Clermont lock Jamie Cudmore has been banned for 20 days for punching during a Top 14 match against Stade Francais.

The Canadian, who played for his country at this year's Rugby World Cup but who enjoys an unenviable record with the disciplinary committee of...

RFU ran bar tab for England World Cup booze up

2011-11-15T16:30:41Z

The England team's drunken night out during the World Cup, which could cost veteran centre Mike Tindall his Test career, was part-funded by the Rugby Football Union, according to reports here on Tuesday.

Several British newspapers carried an e-mail f...

All Blacks Guildford sorry for naked drinking binge

2011-11-14T04:30:35Z

All Blacks winger Zac Guildford apologised Monday for a drunken binge that ended with him staggering naked and bleeding into a bar then assaulting two people.

Guildford said he could not clearly recall his night out in the small South Pacific nation of the Luke Burgess got his European Cup experience off to a winning start when he helped Toulouse to a thrilling 21-17 victory over Gloucester on Sunday.

Burgess, stepping straight off the plane into the large shoes left by former All Black Byron Kelle...

O'Gara boots Munster to last-gasp win over Saints

2011-11-12T19:30:24Z

Ronan O'Gara booted an injury-time drop-goal after 41 phases of play to ensure a nail-biting 23-21 win for Munster over last season's beaten finalists Northampton in the opening weekend of European Cup action on Saturday.

The veteran Ireland fly-half had miss...

Sexton saves Leinster in rugby clash

2011-11-12T13:30:19Z

A penalty in the final seconds from Leinster fly-half Jonathan Sexton helped salvage a 16-16 draw for the champions at European Cup debutants Montpellier on Saturday in their opening Pool 3 clash.

The French side were on the verge of a deserved victory until Sexton, who had missed an earlier penalty from roug...

Tindall fined £25,000, kicked out of England squad

2011-11-11T15:30:30Z

Mike Tindall was on Friday fined £25,000 ($40,152 dollars) and booted out of the England rugby union squad following his off-field antics during the World Cup, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced.

Flanker

Badboy England rugby player Armitage gets fourth ban of year

2011-11-08T19:30:47Z

England international Delon Armitage picked up his fourth suspension of the year on Tuesday as he received a five week ban for a dangerous tackle on Bath's Tom Biggs in his side London Irish's 13-9 Premiership loss last month.

The 27-year-old missed the Tri-Nations contest including Argentina, describing it as a top-level "best of the best" clash involving the world's premier teams.

SANZAR, the body operating South Africa,

Temporary stadium for quake-hit Christchurch

2011-11-07T17:30:30Z

A 17,000-seat temporary stadium will host rugby union matches, including an All Blacks v Ireland Test, in earthquake-hit Christchurch next year, Prime Minister John Key said Tuesday.

Key said the venue was an interim replacement for Christchurch's

Irish rugby captain O'Driscoll set to miss Six Nations

2011-11-07T16:30:27Z

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll is to undergo surgery for a trapped nerve in his shoulder next week and is expected to be out of action for up to six months his province Leinster confirmed Monday.

The Leinster centre, who struggled with a shoulder problem throughout the

All Blacks skipper McCaw to undergo surgery

2011-11-07T10:02:51Z

World Cup-winning All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is to undergo surgery on his injured foot and will definitely miss the early Super 15 rounds next year, the New Zealand team doctor confirmed.

McCaw was troubled throughout this year by a screw inserted in his ri...

Hacker mistakes French rugby fans for share traders

2011-11-04T04:02:33Z

PARIS (Reuters) - Fans of French rugby club Dax are celebrating the recovery of their website after a shutdown caused by a hacker who seemingly mistook it for an offshoot of the German stock market index, the DAX.

Supporters of Dax rugby club in southwestern France posted messages blaming the ...

Jed Hooper Announces He's An Openly Gay Professional Athlete

2011-10-28T07:30:18Z

Jed Hooper on Thursday became the UK's second professional rugby player to come out gay during his career

Jed Hooper on Thursday became the UK's second professional rugby player to come out gay during his career, the UK's Evening Post reported.

Gareth Thomas Retires From Rugby

2011-10-25T07:00:13Z

Gareth Thomas, one of only a few professional athletes to come out gay during their careers, has retired from rugby

Gareth Thomas, one of only a few professional athletes to come out gay during their careers, has retired from rugby, the UK's Daily Mail reported.

“We can confirm that Gareth Thomas is officially retiring from b...

Dusautoir named IRB player of the year

2011-10-24T08:30:24Z

France captain Thierry Dusautoir was named the International Rugby Board (IRB) player of the year for 2011 at a ceremony here on Monday.

Dusautoir received his award the day after leading France in their nailbiting 8-7 AUCKLAND (Reuters) - France captain Thierry Dusautoir was named on Monday as the International Rugby Board's World Player of the Year ...

IRB chief says Rugby World Cup can return to NZ

2011-10-24T02:30:23Z

International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Bernard Lapasset praised an "exceptional" World Cup on Monday and said New Zealand had put itself in position to host the tournament again.

"Yes, why not?" Lapasset told a news confer...

NZ celebrates 'ultimate' achievement in winning W.Cup

2011-10-24T01:30:16Z

Hundreds of thousands of jubilant New Zealanders packed central Auckland for the All Blacks victory parade Monday, celebrating their "ultimate achievement" in winning the Rugby World Cup.

"It's such a small trophy but what it means is huge," captain Richie McCaw...

IRB chief hails 'exceptional' Rugby World Cup

2011-10-23T20:30:28Z

International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Bernard Lapasset Monday praised an "exceptional" World Cup after hosts New Zealand delighted their rugby-mad public with a gripping final win.

Lapasset said the tournament's seventh e...

New Zealand celebrates "ultimate" achievement

2011-10-23T19:30:24Z

Nationwide celebrations marking the All Blacks "ultimate achievement" in winning the Rugby World Cup continued throughout New Zealand on Monday, highlighted by a victory parade through Auckland.

Quee...

New Zealand pip France to win Rugby World Cup

2011-10-23T08:30:20Z

New Zealand ended 24 years of misery when they edged France 8-7 to win the Rugby World Cup for a second time here on Sunday.

The All Blacks, who also won the inaugural 1987 tournament, beating the French on home soil in that final too, also at Eden Park, were m...

Anxious New Zealand faces 'date with destiny'

2011-10-23T03:30:15Z

An anxious New Zealand faced its "date with destiny" Sunday praying a 24-year wait for a second Rugby World Cup title would soon be over.

In the rugby-obsessed nation, where the sport is treated with the fervour of a religion, nearly two-thirds of the four million population plan to watch Sunday night's final between New Zealand and New Zealand play France in the Rugby World Cup final on Sunday bidding for their second title after beating Les Bleus in the climax of the inaugural 1987 tournament.

However, the All Blacks remain wary of an inconsistent France side finding their form at Eden Park this week...

Kockott keeps Castres Top 14 winning run going

2011-10-22T13:30:17Z

South African Rory Kockott kicked seven penalties to give Castres their seventh successive Top 14 victory on Saturday as they beat last season's beaten finalists Montpellier 21-16.

Castres -- who have failed to score a try in their last four matches -- rejoin Clermont atop the standings, with the 2010 champions having annihilated 2009 titlewinners Dakar come to play ball in the House of Rugby, a centre launched two years ago as the sport gains ground in this football-loving nation.

Rugby is a fringe activity in the west African country, introduced by French soldiers only in the 1970s. But it has become a lifeline for many disadvantaged children as they also learn reading and other life skills from volunteer tutors.

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McCaw tells All Blacks to 'seize the chance'

2011-10-22T01:30:12Z

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said on Saturday he will stress the opportunity awaiting the All Blacks shortly before they go out to play France in Sunday's World Cup final here at Eden Park.

The All Blacks are strong ...

Wallabies settle for third-best at Rugby World Cup

2011-10-22T01:30:10Z

The wounded Wallabies limped home Saturday with Quade Cooper on crutches and a hard-fought bronze medal to show for a World Cup campaign that failed to deliver on its rich promise.

Australia, who brought one of the youngest squads (average age 26) to New Zealand, learnt harsh lessons in the pr...

McCaw tells All Blacks to seize their chance

2011-10-21T20:30:26Z

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said on Saturday he will stress the opportunity awaiting the All Blacks shortly before they go out to play France in Sunday's World Cup final here at Eden Park.

The All Blacks are strong ...

Wales bow out of Rugby World Cup buoyed by youth

2011-10-21T19:30:39Z

Wales's World Cup campaign ultimately ended in massive disappointment, a bronze medal game defeat by Australia capping a tournament in which several younger players starred.

Warren Gatland's team opened their campaign with a 17-16 Pool D loss to 2007 champions ...

Five-try Clermont pile on Perpignan misery

2011-10-21T19:30:31Z

Clermont clinched their seventh win in eight matches to go top of the French Top 14 on Friday with a bonus-point 39-3 rout of Perpignan who have now suffered three successive defeats.

Jerome Porical had kicked the Catalans into a 3-0 lead in the seventh minute, but it was all downhill from there for Perpignan.

In their last two matches, Perpignan have conceded 70 points and shipped nine tries with just thr...

Australia pip Wales for World Cup third spot

2011-10-21T07:30:35Z

Australia finished the World Cup on a high with a bruising 21-18 third place playoff win over Wales at Eden Park here Friday.

The Wallabies battled on after losing star backs Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale with first-half injuries to edge out the W...

Afghan rugby novices dreaming of Wales

2011-10-21T07:30:22Z

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan has had the semblance of a national rugby union team for just a few months, but already they are dreaming of a fixture with the red-shirted World Cup men of Vincent Clerc gave voice to the fears of millions of New Zealand rugby fans by insisting Thursday that France could upset the odds and beat the All Blacks in Sunday's World Cup final here at Eden Park.

Most pundits h...

Groin op 'successful', says All Blacks ace Carter

2011-10-19T21:30:19Z

All Blacks star Dan Carter said Thursday that the surgery he underwent on his World Cup-ending groin injury had been successful.

Carter, who is walking with a slight limp, underwent surgery in Melbourne earlier this month to repair his left adductor longus tendon.

The fly-half, whom many

Maso memories cement French regard for All Blacks

2011-10-19T20:30:30Z

If France lose Sunday's World Cup final against hosts New Zealand, team manager Jo Maso will undoubtedly be disappointed.

But he may cope with the pain of any defeat rather better than some of his compatriots, such is his fondness for the France coach Marc Lievremont apologised to his players here on Wednesday in the run-up to their World Cup final with New Zealand as All Blacks great Jonah Lomu boosted ...

Wales coach mulled cheating in semi-final

2011-10-18T21:30:09Z

Wales coach Warren Gatland has revealed he considered cheating in the team's World Cup semi-final defeat by France.

Gatland said he had thought about asking a prop to fake an injury which, with his team already a man down after the sending off of captain Sam Waburton

W. Cup television figures 'delight' rugby chiefs

2011-10-18T20:30:40Z

Rugby World Cup officials said Wednesday they were "delighted" with global television viewing figures ahead of this weekend's final in their showpiece tournament.

According to a statement issued by Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL), which runs the competition on behalf of the International Rugby Board (IRB), a <...

Wales rugby coach mulled cheating in semi-final

2011-10-18T18:30:38Z

Wales coach Warren Gatland has revealed he considered cheating in the team's World Cup semi-final defeat by France.

Gatland said he had thought about asking a prop to fake an injury which, with his team already a man down after the sending off of captain Sam Waburton

All Blacks will make no mistake this time: Masoe

2011-10-18T14:30:28Z

The All Blacks will end their 24 year hiatus and win the World Cup for the second time this Sunday while ending their poor record tournament record against France, former All Black and Castres skipper Chris Masoe said.

The 32-year-old - who felt the full force of French rugby...

All Blacks in sight of coveted Rugby World Cup

2011-10-17T03:30:14Z

New Zealand was at peace with itself after the All Blacks savaged Australia to power into a World Cup final where they will start as overwhelming favourites against France.

This rugby-obsessed nation was on edge ahead of Sunda...

S.Africa's Craig Joubert to referee Rugby W.Cup final

2011-10-17T02:30:23Z

South Africa's Craig Joubert will referee the World Cup final between New Zealand and France, the International Rugby Board (IRB) announce...

Joubert to referee World Cup final

2011-10-16T20:30:22Z

South Africa's Craig Joubert will referee the World Cup final between New Zealand and France, the International Rugby Board (IRB) announce...

All Blacks batter Wallabies to storm into final

2011-10-16T11:30:20Z

It was a case of 1987 all over again as hosts New Zealand won through to a World Cup final against France next weekend with a convincing 20-6 defeat of Australia at Eden Park here on Sunday.

The Auckland ground, whi...

McCaw trumps Pocock in Rugby W. Cup

2011-10-16T11:30:18Z

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw delivered a masterclass in the art of the 'jackal in the tackle' to rival flanker David Pocock as New Zealand reached the World Cup final with a 20-6 victory over Australia.

McCaw sh...

Wales rugby captain Warburton gets three-week ban

2011-10-16T08:30:25Z

Wales captain Sam Warburton was given a three-week ban here on Sunday following his red card for a "dangerous tip tackle" in the World Cup semi-final defeat by France.

The suspension rules the 23-year-old openside flanker out of next week's third place playoff against

Wallabies stand between All Blacks and final

2011-10-15T20:30:19Z

It's the match Robbie Deans has been building to as his Australia team attempt to prolong New Zealand's World Cup misery in Sunday's semi-final -- a fixture opposing coach Graham Henry reckons is his side's "biggest ...

Wilkinson returns as Toulon rout Perpignan

2011-10-15T14:30:07Z

Jonny Wilkinson put his World Cup misery behind him on Saturday when the veteran English fly-half returned to club duty at Toulon and helped the French side to a 38-0 rout of Perpignan.

Wilkinson, who played in Eng...

Warburton's red costs Wales dear in World Cup semi

2011-10-15T09:30:15Z

Wales captain Sam Warburton was dramatically sent off against France in a World Cup semi-final at Eden Park here on Saturday, a decisive blow in a match his side went on to lose 9-8.

Openside flanker Warburton was red-carded in the 19th minute by Irish referee Australia full-back Kurtley Beale has lost his race to be fit for Sunday's Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park.

Beale, 22, who has been battling a hamstring injury, withdrew prior...

All Blacks ace Carter has groin op

2011-10-13T20:30:32Z

All Blacks star Dan Carter has undergone surgery following his World Cup-ending groin injury, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said in a statement here on Friday.

In an NZRU statement Carter said the surgery, which he had in Melbourne...

Britain Zara Phillips

2010-12-21T14:31:35Z

Zara Phillips, right, and her fiance Mike Tindall, after announcing their engagement, In Gloucestershire, England, Tuesday Dec. 21, 2010. Prince William and Zara Phillips and boyfriend Mike Tindall kiss at the Badminton Horse Trials, Badminton, England. Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter Zara Phil...

Helmetless Football

2010-10-23T12:01:46Z

FILE - In this June 8, 2009, file photo, photo provided by the U.S. Rugby Association, U.S. Rugby coach Eddie O'Sullivan talks to the media before practice for the Churchill Cup in Commerce City, Colo...

APTOPIX India Commonwealth Games

2010-10-15T01:32:42Z

New Zealand's Kurt Baker celebrates as he runs to score the last try against Australia in their rugby sevens final match during the Commonwealth Games at Delhi University in Soweto, South Africa, Saturday May 22, 2010 Super14-winning rugby player Bees Roux during a Super 14 semi final rugby match. Roux has been involved in an incident that left a police officer dead, his team said on Friday Aug. 27 2010. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe/File)

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