Rugby Union

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I hear league has been making inroads in New Zealand, and that grassroots rugby has been suffering, which is what that article appears to relate to. Not sure if the two are connected, possibly?

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Australian women’s sevens team have been crowned the 2023-24 SVNS champions after winning the final event in Madrid overnight. The 20 points the team gained from the win were enough to overcome New Zealand to finish on top of the overall points table. It’s the team’s fourth World Sevens/SVNS Series title.

The men’s sevens team finished 7th in Madrid and 4th in overall standings, with Argentina crowned series champions, despite losing the Madrid final to France 5-19.

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Gallaghers is the current naming rights sponsor of English Premiership Rugby competition.

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Melbourne Rebels’ first and last Super Rugby finals campaign ended with a 20-47 loss to Wellington Hurricanes in this afternoon’s quarter-final at Sky Stadium.

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Shocking to hear that out of the blue. Had a unfortunate medical event. May he rest in peace. :pray::dove:

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The Blues dominated this evening’s Super Rugby Pacific final against the Chiefs, scoring five tries to one in the 41-10 win. It’s the Auckland club’s fourth Super Rugby title and their first since 2003.

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Also, Flight Centre has picked up sponsorship for the Australian leg of the Rugby Championship. It began this afternoon in Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium when the Wallabies hosted the Springboks.

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With all six regions having at least one direct qualifying spot, the new process features a blend of existing regional competitions, a pathway through the new Pacific Nations Cup, a cross-continental play-off and one final qualification tournament. In each region, teams will qualify as follow:

The Final Qualification Tournament will comprise one pool of four teams, playing in round-robin format with the winner on competition points after playing all other teams qualifying for Australia 2027. The four teams will be from:

  • Sudamerica Rugby Championship 2025 third
  • South America / Pacific Play-off loser
  • Rugby Europe Championship 2025 fifth
  • Africa / Asia Play-off winner (Rugby Africa Championship 2025 runner-up v Asia Rugby Championship runner-up)

With all qualification set to be concluded by the end of 2025, a first for Men’s Rugby World Cups, all teams will be known before the Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw takes place ahead of the Men’s Six Nations 2026.

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Wallabies try to make sense of record 67-27 mauling against Pumas in Santa Fe

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UPDATE 10/10

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The Wallaroos have qualified for next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup after winning the WXV2 title in Cape Town.

UPDATE 18/10: the Wallaroos have been drawn into Pool A for next year’s Rugby World Cup, alongside England, USA and Samoa. The match schedule will be released next Tuesday, October 22.

Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji
Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain
Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil

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The Wallabies jersey to be worn during next year’s British and Irish Lions tour was unveiled in Sydney this morning (October 29).

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Rugby Australia Awards 2024 was held at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse on Wednesday night.

Rob Valetini won back to back John Eales Medal.

John Eales Medal - Rob Valetini
Wallaroos Player of the Year - Maya Stewart
Shawn Mackay Award for Men’s Sevens Player of the Year - Nathan Lawson
Shawn Mackay Award for Women’s Sevens Player of the Year - Maddison Levi

Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year - Fraser McReight, QLD Reds
Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s Player of the Year - Siokapesi Palu, ACT Brumbies
Rookie of the Year Award - Tim Ryan, QLD Reds
Junior Men’s Player of the Year - Toby Macpherson, ACT Brumbies
Junior Women’s Player of the Year - Caitlyn Halse, NSW Waratahs
Cadbury Try of the Year - Tim Ryan, QLD Reds vs. Blues
Fedex Referee of the Year - Nic Berry
Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby Award - Graeme Tosch, Rugby Victoria
Joe French Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rugby - Kim Evans, Rugby Union South Australia
Geoff ‘Bunter’ Shaw Community Coach of the Year Award - James Barkell, NSW Rugby
Andrew Cole Community Match Official of the Year - Ian McGowan, QLD Country Rugby Referees
Cadbury Club of the Year - Wagga Wagga Junior Rugby Union Club

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The Wallabies upset the Poms 42-37 after the siren!

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Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said he hoped to attract box-office names for the fixture.

“The preference will be to have Australian-eligible players of Pacific and First Nations backgrounds, and high-profile players to drive a high level of interest.”

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