‘All the girls are well capable of kicking. It's just a case of where we fit it into our game' – Irish rugby still learning to box clever
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Hindustan Times
15 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Wallabies stun Springboks at Ellis Park from 22-0 down in Rugby Championship
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Australia toppled South Africa at Ellis Park for the first time in 62 years with a sensational 38-22 comeback win from 22-0 down in the Rugby Championship opener on Saturday. HT Image The Wallabies scored a remarkable six straight tries against the double world champion and Rugby Championship titleholder to earn one of their greatest wins in the professional era. Australia came to the highveld battle-hardened from the narrow home series loss to the British and Irish Lions, but its record in South Africa made it an obvious underdog. It hadn't won in South Africa since 2011 or at Ellis Park since 1963. The Springboks underlined their credentials by sprinting to 22-0 in 17 minutes with three well-made tries. But they never scored again. Australia didn't panic, absorbed the blows, tightened its defense and watched a Springboks side packed with 18 World Cup winners surprisingly wobble as the pressure was returned. The Wallabies, down 22-5 at halftime, didn't go ahead until the 64th minute through captain Harry Wilson's second try and last act of the match. They added two more tries to finish the stronger team at an altitude in which they have traditionally struggled for decades. This was only their second ever win over the Boks at their spiritual home in 92 years. 'At 22-0 down, there was real courage again from the players,' Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt told broadcaster SuperSport. "We were forced to take a few risks and there were a few lucky bounces for us, so we are not going to get too carried away. 'At the same time I am incredibly proud of the group. I am realistic about getting a little bit of luck, but delighted we came back. Nineteen-sixty-three was a long time ago so the players are delighted.' Following the heaviest defeat by the Springboks since Rassie Erasmus took charge in 2018, the coach admitted he was embarrassed to go to the press conference. "We were really awful,' he said. "They beat us in most departments. We didn't scrum them, they beat us in the lineouts, and they bullied us at the breakdown after Siya Kolisi went off and Marco van Staden had to go off for an HIA. "Tactically, we totally overplayed every time we thought something was on. I don't think they tactically outsmarted us but they physically dominated us, and the interesting thing is that the longer the game went on they were supposed to struggle but it just shows what Joe Schmidt is building there.' Wilson opened the second half scoring a soft try from replacement prop Angus Bell's pass into a gap 25 meters out. Len Ikitau limped off and Australia patched the midfield with Andrew Kellaway, and put flyhalf backup Tane Edmed on the wing for the injured Dylan Pietsch. Australia blew two consecutive attacking lineouts to narrow the 22-12 gap, and managed it only when rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i intercepted flyhalf Manie Libbok from 55 meters out for his first test try. They finally hit the front when fullback Tom Wright set up Wilson, who appeared to be cramping as he crossed the try-line for a second time. Wilson left. Two minutes later, a giant double miss-out pass by James O'Connor released right wing Max Jorgensen to score another long-range try. The fourth goalkick by O'Connor, the fourth-choice flyhalf playing his first test in three years at age 35, sent Australia 33-22 ahead with 14 minutes left. South Africa and its renowned 'bomb squad' of replacements couldn't break the inspired Wallabies. The coup was completed with five to go. Just outside the Australia 22, Jesse Kriel's overhead inside pass to Andre Esterhuizen was knocked on straight to Wright, who cantered to the other end. The Springboks feasted on Italy and Georgia last month but Erasmus gathered them for the Australia game a week earlier than scheduled, a compliment to the Wallabies' resurgent effort against the Lions. The decision paid off early. Wing Kurt-Lee Arendse jogged in for the opening try inside two minutes. Libbok converted, added a penalty, then hit the post when he tried to convert a long-range try finished by center Esterhuizen. Five minutes later, captain Kolisi was over. At 22-0 after 17 minutes, the lack of tension prompted the crowd of 51,300 to do a Mexican wave. Ruck penalties against South Africa gave Australia momentum, and Ikitau looped around O'Connor to free left wing Pietsch for Australia's first points after a half-hour. But Pietsch walked off soon after, clutching his jaw after tackling Kolisi's shoulder. Pietsch and Wilson are doubts for the second round in Cape Town next Saturday. ___ AP rugby:
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Easson's Scotland team determined to make their mark on women's Rugby World Cup
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson says his side are looking to 'make their mark on the world stage' with an improved performance at the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup. Easson, who will leave his role post tournament, wants Scotland to bounce back from their disappointment of the last World Cup campaign — which saw his side defeated in all of their pool games in New Zealand. The Scots, who kick off against Wales next weekend, head into the competition on the back of two defeats against Italy and Ireland, but Easson is adamant his side are in a better place, as they prepare for their Cup opener in England. 'I think we have improved,' Easson insisted. 'If you look at the last two or three years, we've been in the games. Every game we go into now, we expect to win. We've got real belief in the group, we've got real belief in each other. 'There's some really, really good rugby players, some world-class rugby players in there as well, and it's our job to make sure that everybody is singing off the same hymn sheet. 'Yes, we do want to make our mark on the world stage. It's a World Cup, and we don't want to just go and enjoy it and make up the numbers.' Defeats to Wales, Australia and New Zealand at the previous iteration undoubtedly still rankles. Leaving without a win was a serious blow — and Easson admits his side were well below-par in the matches they played out. 'I'll be honest, I was really frustrated after the last World Cup in New Zealand, because I didn't think we were good enough. 'We've probably changed our prep around this one a little bit. We probably did too much prep-wise and then when we got there it was kind of 'We're here now', whereas we've kind of built up and it's about the event now. We've learned a lot around that and I think we're in a pretty good spot.' Certainly, Scotland have gained a well of experience since their trip to the Southern Hemisphere. As well as a brief stint at No 5 in the world, they've taken home the WXV2 title in Canada, and had a run of seven wins on the trot in 2023 and 2024. They now prepare for a stint against Wales, Fiji and Canada in Pool B, with a challenging opener against the Welsh — a side they beat 24-21 in this year's Six Nations. That, however, could count for little on the day — as Wales continue to improve under head coach, Sean Lynn. 'Scotland-Wales games are always difficult,' admitted the Scotland coach. 'These games have been tight over the last few years. 'We know how physical Wales are. We know exactly what to expect. We've played against them I don't know how many times recently. 'We've played them before at WXV as well. We know each other inside out. The players play against each other, whether it be Celtic Challenge or PWR. So we know it's going to be physical. We know it's going to come down to 80 minutes. 'The last World Cup game was 82 minutes. Six Nations games have been 78, 79, 80 minutes as well. The girls have worked really hard on the fitness. 'You saw it from the game against Italy. We finished off really well. We saw the game against Ireland and we started really well. 'I feel we're in a good space. We are well prepared and we just want to go now.' According to Easson, the arrival of attack coach Steve Shingler is already making an impact. The former player came in to Scottish Rugby in June, on secondment from PWR side Ealing Trailfinders Women, and Easson says the ex-Scarlets, London Irish, Cardiff, Mont-de-Marsan and Trailfinders man has impressed so far in his work within the Scotland camp. 'Yes, he has,' expressed Easson. 'I like the way he works. Obviously, we've sat down quite a lot. 'The two of us have worked quite closely, looking at our strengths in terms of individuals. We've designed a lot of plays around certain individuals and how we want to look at stuff. But obviously, a lot of plays are designed around what we've seen in Wales, too. 'We've not given too much away in terms of Italy and Ireland. We've looked at some shapes and structures, but you've got to keep some stuff up your sleeve as well.' That, indeed, could prove critical when it comes to their pool dynamics. Canada are roundly being seen as the tournament's 'dark horses', and will be confident of topping their group. Scotland's match against Wales therefore, could prove pivotal in terms of progression to the quarter-finals. The top two from each pool make it through to the last eight in the 16-team tournament, and a quarter-final place is achievable for Easson's team. 'Yes, of course. World Cups are different, aren't they, because you do get the opportunity in pre-season to get your squad together for a little bit longer,' he said. 'Going into a Six Nations you potentially have a week to two weeks maximum. 'We have had five, six weeks together plus two Test matches, so eight or nine weeks to be able to look at our fitness and the way we want to play. We obviously don't want to play exactly the way we did in the Six Nations. We've looked at our strengths and weaknesses. Wales are doing the same. 'We've focused on Wales. We're not looking beyond Wales. We're not looking at Fiji or Canada — we're looking at the first one and then we'll move on after that. 'We know the challenge that's ahead of us. And we're not taking it lightly and I'm sure Wales are the same.'
NZ Herald
15 minutes ago
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v Argentina live updates: Scott Robertson's side open Rugby Championship in Cordoba
All the action from the All Blacks' Rugby Championship opening test, away against Argentina in Cordoba. Ratima wins race for No 9 jersey in All Blacks' Rugby Championship opener Scott Robertson is leaving nothing to chance for the All Blacks' Rugby Championship opening test, and named his strongest possible matchday 23 for Sunday's clash against Argentina in Cordoba. For the first time in 2025, no debutants will take the field, despite the injury-enforced changes required after last month's series against France. As had been indicated by coach Robertson earlier this week, Scott Barrett has returned to full fitness from the calf injury that kept him out of the end of the All Blacks' July series against France, and is partnered by the impressive Fabian Holland in the second row. Cortez Ratima has won the race to wear the No 9 jersey, and starts at halfback in the absence of both Cam Roigard (foot injury) and Noah Hotham (ankle) to partner Beauden Barrett, named at No 10, after his recovery from a broken hand. Finlay Christie has held off competition from the uncapped Kyle Preston, and provides halfback cover off the bench. Damian McKenzie has been named on the bench in the No 22, and will cover both first-five and fullback. Christie could have been seen as the safer option to start at halfback, given his big game experience - which includes a World Cup quarter-final, semifinal and final. However, Robertson has opted to back Ratima, who has been a mainstay of his squad selections since his debut last year. Despite the temptation of handing a debut to Chiefs and Northland loose forward Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa'i has kept hold of the No 6 jersey, and starts at blindside flanker alongside Du'Plessis Kirifi and Ardie Savea. Samipeni Finau will provide loose forward cover from the bench. 'We've had a great week of training in Buenos Aires and the group is ready to go out and perform,' said Robertson. 'Scott and our leaders have led from the front and there's a lot of focus and motivation in the group for the start of the campaign. 'We know the Pumas identity is a fast and physical game and we've selected a team that will embrace the occasion. 'It's been 30 years since the All Blacks played in Cordoba and we are looking forward to the passion and energy of the home crowd.' The All Blacks have never lost to Los Pumas in Argentina. All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa'i, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.
