Sam Smith

Unveiled: New Lions vs Springboks Test series trophy that took 150 hours to make

Rather than have a different trophy every four years, a new perpetual cup has been unveiled for the Lions series versus the Spring…

Sam Smith

05 May 2021, 5:42

'Livelihoods are at stake': What Super Rugby Trans-Tasman really means - and the Blues youngster who could star against the Australians

Former Blues hooker James Parsons believes there is plenty more at stake than what most onlookers realise when Super Rugby Trans-T…

Sam Smith

05 May 2021, 1:04

Report: All Blacks set to face Pacific Island sides after Italy withdraw from July test schedule

The All Blacks are reportedly set to square off against their Pacific Island neighbours after Italy withdrew from their plans to t…

Sam Smith

04 May 2021, 21:20

Like Keven Mealamu with 'the power of a winger': The hooker who could shake up the familiar All Blacks one-two punch

The crop of hookers playing in New Zealand right now has never looked stronger and some young bucks could be pushing the older sta…

Sam Smith

04 May 2021, 19:35

Watch: Former Wallaby Will Skelton's dominant performance against Leinster has Australian fans hoping for a recall

Australian fans took notice of Skelton's dominant display, and began the campaign to have the 29-year-old selected back into the W…

Sam Smith

04 May 2021, 19:30

Scotland back-rower Blade Thomson agrees on Scarlets extension

Sam Smith

04 May 2021, 10:45

Ospreys set to sign a pair of Highlanders players, including Irishman Jack Regan

Toby Booth's next step in rebuilding the Ospreys looks set to be the recruitment of two players from New Zealand, including Irishm…

Sam Smith

04 May 2021, 5:24

'We've talked about Boshier, we've talked about Papalii... But he is hitting some good form': The race for the All Blacks No 7 jersey heats up

Hurricanes flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi is the first man to admit that his form this year hasn't quite been where it needs to be but …

Sam Smith

03 May 2021, 23:42

'Getting him on the field in whatever position is key': The 'point of difference' Pablo Matera can bring to the Crusaders

A future teammate of Pablo Matera has had his say on what the fiery Argentinian captain can bring to the Crusaders next year.

Sam Smith

03 May 2021, 21:43

Watch: Shocking aerial collision that sent Sharks fullback Fassi into a 360-cartwheel ends with red card for Stormers wing

Promising Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi has luckily avoided serious injury after being sent a full into a 360-degree aerial cartw…

Sam Smith

03 May 2021, 18:22

Andy Goode suggests moving Champions Cup final again

Former England standoff Andy Goode thinks it would be a good idea to move the Champions Cup finals back to France, after two Top 1…

Sam Smith

03 May 2021, 8:15

All Blacks hooker extends stay in France to 2023

Former All Blacks hooker Hikawera 'Hika' Elliot has chosen to extend his stay in France, signing a new deal with French club Colom…

Sam Smith

03 May 2021, 7:05

'That's the worry for Leinster, when they come up against teams with that power, can they handle it?'

The physical, confrontational style of La Rochelle was reminiscent of past defeats for Leinster in big European games, having lost…

Sam Smith

03 May 2021, 2:36

'Not a big fan': All Blacks star glad captain's referral law won't feature in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman

Stand-in Hurricanes captain Dane Coles says he is glad the captain's referral law won't be implemented in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman…

Sam Smith

02 May 2021, 23:14

Watch: Tongan hitman Zane Kapeli puts bone-rattling tackle on Blues playmaker Otere Black

The tackle was not the first time Kapeli has made an impression with his shoulder, putting a headline-grabbing shot on England Num…

Sam Smith

02 May 2021, 1:19

'Much more physical compared to the rugby I've been used to back in South Africa': Springbok star Kolbe rates the strength of the European competition highly

Kolbe hailed Toulouse as a 'phenomenal' club to be a part of, and credits their free-wheeling philosophy as part of the reason why…

Sam Smith

01 May 2021, 21:11

Watch: Foot trip can't stop Cheslin Kolbe as Toulouse's star steps his way through Bordeaux's defence

With a 14-9 lead, Toulouse were looking for the knockout blow late in the game when Kolbe exploded through the defence putting on …

Sam Smith

01 May 2021, 19:52

Ben Youngs rules himself out of Lions tour selection - reports

Speculation over the Lions scrum-halves that Warren Gatland will select on Thursday will intensify with the Ben Youngs decision. …

Sam Smith

01 May 2021, 15:29

'A world of blame, unfairness and spite suddenly descended': Nigel Owens revisits nasty fallout from Liam Williams' Parisian yellow card

With an anti-social media abuse campaign running this weekend, Nigel Owens has resisted the vitriol Liam Williams suffered in Marc…

Sam Smith

01 May 2021, 5:35

Beauden Barrett's Suntory Sungoliath progress to Top League semi-finals after match cancelled due to COVID

While New Zealand and Australia's Super Rugby seasons have been mostly unaffected by the ongoing global pandemic, Australasian pla…

Sam Smith

01 May 2021, 0:05