This Month
Sua’ali’i is right to start for the Wallabies – next, Nathan Cleary
Selection gambles don’t come bigger than this, but Joseph Sua’ali’i is ready and his success should lead to a killer recruitment for the 2027 World Cup.
- Simon Poidevin
September
- Opinion
- Australian rugby
Australian rugby’s problems only look to be getting worse
The problems with Australian rugby extend far beyond the coaching box or those who wear the jersey.
- James Curran
August
How the French really feel about the Paris Olympics
The Games’ problems – food, air-con, ticket prices – seem prosaic, whereas memories are written in poetry.
- Matthew Drummond
- Perspective
- Rugby Championship
Why the stars are finally aligning for the Wallabies
Australia’s challenge against South Africa on Saturday is huge, but coaching changes and new rules designed to speed up the game bode well for the Wallabies.
- Simon Poidevin
Olympics’ online trolls get taken down by AI
Athletes have previously had to turn off their phones to avoid online abuse – this year artificial intelligence is helping to keep trolls at bay.
- Paul Smith
June
Who were the 15 greatest Wallabies of all time?
In a new book, author and indispensable rugby commentator Gordon Bray had a brutal task picking from the 900 players who have represented Australia over 125 years.
- James Curran
April
- Exclusive
- Luxury property
Wallabies great snaps up rural retreat in impulse buy
The former Wallabies captain and his wife, Julie, have emerged as the buyers of a luxury rural retreat in the NSW Central West town of Orange.
- Bonnie Campbell
March
- Updated
- Business of sport
Wallabies’ World Cup campaign blew budget by $2.6m as staff splurged
Rugby Australia’s review into the performance identifies poor culture and a lack of trust. Its CEO, Phil Waugh, says personnel changes had already been made.
- Updated
- Zoe Samios
November 2023
- Updated
- Australian rugby
New Rugby boss Dan Herbert says ‘everyone recognises’ game is broken
But deposed chairman Hamish McLennan, who was ousted in a boardroom coup on Sunday, has warned his exit will lead to “more division ... not less”.
- Updated
- Kylar Loussikian and Zoe Samios
October 2023
South Africa’s Rugby World Cup win is a lesson in discipline
Everyone knew that keeping the referee happy would be more important than ever in this World Cup, and New Zealand proved it at their own expense.
- Simon Poidevin
South Africa beat New Zealand to claim record fourth Rugby World Cup
South Africa became the first team to win the Rugby World Cup four times when they beat New Zealand 12-11 after the All Blacks were reduced to 14 men half an hour in to the match.
- Updated
- Jerome Pugmire
England hold off Argentina fightback to take bronze
England beat Argentina to win the Rugby World Cup bronze final.
- Mitch Phillips
Welcome to rugby union’s burning platform
Australia just had its worst World Cup campaign in history. Everyone knows what the sport needs to do but making those changes is another matter entirely.
- Zoe Samios
- Opinion
- Opinion
What SA and NZ must do to win the Rugby World Cup
South Africa’s high-risk team selection tells us a lot about their strategy, and what New Zealand must do to blow up the ‘bomb squad’ in the Paris wet.
- Simon Poidevin
In the World Cup semis, ‘bomb squad’ rugby wins the day
The bold tactical moves the brought South Africa home against England illustrate why they and New Zealand are the last teams standing.
- Simon Poidevin
South Africa pull off miracle to reach Rugby World Cup final
The Springboks trailed England for the entire semi-final until Handre Pollard kicked a 78th-minute penalty. They now face New Zealand in the final.
- Updated
- Jerome Pugmire
Where the Rugby World Cup semis will be won and lost
Don’t believe reports that the semi-finals will be walkovers for New Zealand and South Africa.
- Simon Poidevin
- Opinion
- France
Classic matches show the best of rugby, and what the Wallabies must do
It’s hard to remember a set of four quarter-finals of this quality, showing just how good rugby can be when played at its best.
- Simon Poidevin
- England 30-24 Fiji
- Fiji rugby
England beat Fiji to reach semi-finals
England held off a late rally from Fiji to reach the semi-finals. They will now play South Africa who crushed France’s hopes of a maiden World Cup title.
- Updated
- Mitch Phillips
All Blacks resist Ireland fightbacks to win epic Rugby quarter-final
Ireland goes home after falling short again with an eighth Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat.
- Updated
- Jerome Pugmire