October 11, 20231 yr Author Ireland wing Mack Hansen has won his race to be fit for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand. Hansen hurt his calf win in last week's win over Scotland but has recovered in time to start against the All Blacks, while James Ryan is ruled out. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell's starting line-up is unchanged from last weekend's Pool B win over Scotland. There are two changes on the bench with lock Joe McCarthy and Jimmy O'Brien called in. Hansen's calf issue meant he missed some training this week, so his availability is a major boost for the world's number one side ahead of Saturday's knockout match.
October 11, 20231 yr Author Johnny Sexton says Ireland are preparing for the "toughest game we've ever faced" in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand. Ireland's run of 17 straight Test wins has them top of the global rankings but Sexton says taking on the three-time world champions will be a huge task. "I've had some great battles against New Zealand over the years," he said. "What you learn is that every game is as tough as the last no matter what the result is." Fifteen months ago, Ireland fought back from a 42-19 First Test hammering in Auckland to clinch an historic series triumph in New Zealand and the Irish have won four of the last six meetings between the countries.
October 12, 20231 yr That does sound like quite the quarter-final match-up! All eight countries left are big teams though.
October 18, 20231 yr So England manage to beat Fiji - but the rest of the European teams weren't so lucky! Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa remain alongside them.
October 19, 20231 yr Author Winger Mark Telea is back in the New Zealand side for the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup semi-final against Argentina. The 26-year-old was dropped for the quarter-final victory over Ireland after a breach of team protocol. His return is one of two changes to Ian Foster's starting XV for Friday's semi-final, with Sam Whitelock coming in for Brodie Retallick in the second row. Argentina make one change for the game in Paris, with Gonzalo Bertranou replacing Tomas Cubelli at scrum-half.
October 21, 20231 yr England are out! Losing by a single point to South Africa, who will play NZ in the Final.
October 23, 20231 yr Author World Rugby has confirmed it will formally review the alleged use of a racial slur by South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi towards England's Tom Curry. Curry approached referee Ben O'Keeffe to report the comment half an hour into the Springboks' Rugby World Cup semi-final victory. If banned, Mbonambi could miss the final against New Zealand on Saturday. World Rugby said it will take the allegation "extremely seriously". The governing body confirmed it will make no further comment on the incident until the conclusion of its review process.
October 23, 20231 yr Author England's Wayne Barnes will referee the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on Saturday. Barnes, 44, will become the second Englishman to officiate a final after Ed Morrison who took charge in 1995. Karl Dickson and Matthew Carley will be assistant referees, with Tom Foley named television match official. It is the first time in Rugby World Cup history that all the officials have been appointed from one union.
October 25, 20231 yr Author Flanker Dalton Papali'i says New Zealand must "give it hell" to overcome South Africa and their 'Bomb Squad' of replacements in the World Cup final. The Springboks were struggling before their bench - who they refer to as the Bomb Squad - turned the tide and helped beat England 16-15 in their semi-final. Papali'i acknowledged the South African bench's reputation, but says the All Blacks have their own "Easy Company". "Talking about the Bomb Squad, they've proven themselves," said Papali'i. "They can come on and change the game like that. Whoever's on the [New Zealand] bench, they need to really be screwed on up top and give them hell."
October 26, 20231 yr World Rugby has confirmed it will formally review the alleged use of a racial slur by South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi towards England's Tom Curry. Curry approached referee Ben O'Keeffe to report the comment half an hour into the Springboks' Rugby World Cup semi-final victory. If banned, Mbonambi could miss the final against New Zealand on Saturday. World Rugby said it will take the allegation "extremely seriously". The governing body confirmed it will make no further comment on the incident until the conclusion of its review process. Read in the news today the online abuse Curry had been getting for calling out the racism - all very worrying stuff.
October 27, 20231 yr England come away with a bronze medal then after a close game against Argentina!
October 31, 20231 yr Congratulations to South Africa! Back to back wins and also now the team with the most trophies in the contest - pretty impressive.
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