New Zealander Mike Cron joins Wallabies coaching staff

New Zealander Mike Cron joins Wallabies coaching staff

Former All Blacks assistant coach Mike Cron has joined the Wallabies backroom staff alongside fellow New Zealander Joe Schmidt, Rugby Australia said Tuesday. Cron was an assistant with New Zealand between 2004 and 2019, helping lead the side to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2011 and 2015. Having earned a reputation as a "scrum doctor", Cron has more than 30 years' experience as a rugby coach. He […]

April 2, 2024 5

Sport

Schwalger named Samoa coach until 2027 Rugby World Cup

Former Samoa rugby captain Mase Mahonri Schwalger has been appointed head coach of the national side through to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Schwalger, 45, was assistant to head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua at last year's World Cup in France, where Samoa exited the pool stages after just a single win, against Chile. "Representing one's country, whether as a coach or player, is the […]

April 2, 2024 4

Sport

Michael Hooper poised to make Australia 7s debut in Hong Kong

Michael Hooper is set to make his sevens debut for Australia at the prestigious Hong Kong tournament, it was announced Thursday, as the Wallabies Test veteran bids for a place at the Paris Olympics. Hooper, who played 125 Tests for Australia, has switched to sevens after the loose forward was axed from the Wallabies squad before last year's 15-a-side Rugby World Cup. Hooper has been included in the 13-man […]

March 28, 2024 12

Sport

England centurion Care retires from Test rugby

Scrum-half Danny Care said on Monday playing for England "meant an awful lot" to him after announcing his retirement from Test rugby. Harlequins' Care, 37, played his 101st and final England game in this month's Six Nations loss against France - 16 years after making his debut in 2008. "Playing for England has meant the world," Care said on social media. "It's meant an awful lot for me to […]

March 26, 2024 5

Africa

Africa’s promising sports future evident at the 13th Africa Games in Accra

By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency After three weeks of intense field and track event actions across multiple venues in Accra, the 13th edition of the Africa Games came to a close this past weekend. The pan-African sporting event has, yet again, showcased Africa's rich and diverse sports talent, with more than 35 countries participating across 23 sports disciplines. Egypt led with 107 gold, 47 silver, and 42 […]

March 25, 2024 11

Sport

Hurricanes rout Rebels to stay perfect atop Super Rugby table

Jordie Barrett bagged two tries as the Wellington Hurricanes thumped the Melbourne Rebels 54-28 on Friday to extend their 100 percent record at the top of the Super Rugby table. The Hurricanes outscored the Rebels eight tries to four in recording their fifth straight win at the start of the season. Winger Salesi Rayasi scored two of the Hurricanes' five first-half tries, the pick of which was Barrett's […]

March 22, 2024 1

Sport

Invigorated England eye unlikely Six Nations title with France trip

England head to an equally resurgent France on Saturday holding an outside chance of pipping Ireland to a Six Nations title not many would have predicted at the start of the campaign. Steve Borthwick's side need a bonus point victory in Lyon, with Paris' Stade de France out of use due to it being prepared for this summer's Olympic Games, and must hope Ireland lose to Scotland by […]

March 15, 2024 4

Sport

Wales risk Six Nations whitewash as North bows out against Italy

Wales became accustomed to Six Nations success during Warren Gatland's first spell as coach from 2007 to 2019, winning four titles, including three Grand Slams. But Wales finished fifth last season after Gatland replaced fellow New Zealander Wayne Pivac. And if Wales fail to beat Italy at the Principality Stadium, they will end the tournament at the foot of the table for the first time since 2003 […]

March 15, 2024 4

Sport

Scots up against it as Irish eye Six Nations title consolation

Ireland seek to make up for their frustration on missing out on historic back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams by being crowned tournament champions in beating Scotland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday. The Irish were given a serious jolt, after cruising through their first three matches, by a revitalised England in losing at Twickenham but meet a Scots side equally battered and bruised after they lost to Italy. Not […]

March 15, 2024