Rugby World Cup expansion welcome but err on the side of caution October 25, 2023 In the depths of the destructive World Rugby announcement that is set to partition the best rugby teams from the aspiring ones there was one shining light: the 2027 World Cup will have 24 teams rather than 20. It is a move that has been long called for and should at least ease the pain [...]
World Rugby’s new two-tier competition has been branded “ridiculous, shameful, farcical and scandalous” by a former US coach October 24, 2023 World Rugby’s new two-tier competition has been branded “ridiculous, shameful, farcical and scandalous” by a former United States international coach after the sport’s major nations voted in a closed-shop system until 2030. A new global competition due to begin in 2026 will see the six Six Nations teams, four Rugby Championship sides, Fiji and Japan [...]
England Rugby lodge complaint over South Africa alleged “White C***” slur October 24, 2023 England Rugby have officially filed a complaint over Bongi Mbonambi’s alleged racial “white c***” slur against Tom Curry, City A.M. can reveal. Sources close to the situation have confirmed that the Rugby Football Union have officially filed a complaint. The move takes the issue beyond the realms of disciplinary and citing commissioners and into the [...]
Curry race row: Mbonambi given glowing reference by coach October 23, 2023 A South African coach has praised the character hooker Bongi Mbonambi after he was accused of pointing a racial slur at England’s Ben Curry in the Springboks’ 16-15 World Cup semi-final win. Mbonambi was accused of calling Curry a “white c***” in audio picked up on the microphone of referee Ben O’Keeffe on Saturday night [...]
Rugby race scandal: Morning deadline to report alleged slur to England player by South Africa hooker October 23, 2023 England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa on Saturday has descended into a race scandal after Red Rose flanker Tom Curry accused Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi of using a racial slur against him. South Africa fought back to beat England 16-15 in Paris on Saturday to book themselves a spot in the World Cup [...]
England: Where does team go now after Rugby World Cup exit? October 23, 2023 England produced their best performance of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday but fell to a 16-15 defeat at the hands of reigning champions South Africa in Paris. Here are three takeaways from the hard-fought semi-final. Beef with O’Keeffe Scrums are difficult things to understand at the best of times but on occasion the dark [...]
Sportspeople ‘perilously close’ to limit, says major player group chief October 22, 2023 Professional sportspeople are “perilously close to going over the limits of what is sustainable” according to a top player association executive. Simon Taylor of the Professional Players Federation has insisted that player welfare has not been given enough priority within the international game. Footballers in the past have spoken of the demands of a full [...]
South Africa forward accused of racial slur against England player October 22, 2023 South Africa forward Bongi Mbonambi has been accused of directing a racial slur at England’s Tom Curry in his side’s 16-15 World Cup semi-final win on Saturday. Curry was heard asking referee Ben O’Keeffe: “Sir, Sir, if their hooker calls me a white c**t what do I do?” The New Zealander replied: “Nothing please. I’ll [...]
Springboks should dismantle England by 20 points in World Cup October 20, 2023 Watching South Africa edge France in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday evening was extraordinary, maybe one of the very best games of oval ball I have ever seen. And I am in no doubt that the Springboks will beat England this weekend, despite my run of poor predictions last week in the quarter-finals. South [...]
England not looking at 2019 final thrashing ahead of Boks semi October 18, 2023 England’s World Cup final defeat to South Africa in 2019 is not motivation for Ollie Chessum with the second-row eager to be part of his side’s semi-final against the Springboks on Saturday. England were beaten 32-12 four years ago in Japan and nine of England’s 23 from that day aren’t in Steve Borthwick’s squad as [...]