Tag: rugby

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Scrumhalf Cam Roigard scored two tries including the match-winner in the 76th minute as New Zealand rebounded from its worst-ever test defeat to beat Australia 33-24 Saturday and to retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 23rd year.

Roigard returned from injury to help energize the All Blacks attack as New Zealand extended its winning streak at Eden Park to 52 test matches. Australia’s losing streak at the Auckland stadium now enters its 40th year.

Smarting from its 43-10 loss to South Africa two weeks ago and from a barrage of criticism, New Zealand started strongly and led 20-3 after 25 minutes.

Wingers Caleb Clarke and Leroy Carter and Roigard scored tries as New Zealand dominated possession in the first quarter and took advantage of an Australian defensive line which was too deep.

“There was a lot of hurt from the South Africa match,” Roigard said. “We knew that standard wasn’t good enough and we knew we had to put out a performance defending the fortress (Eden Park).

“To get the job done we knew it was going to take the whole 80 minutes.”

The tide of the match turned several times, dictated mainly by penalties and field position. Australia came back strongly in the second quarter, scoring tries through hooker Billy Pollard and winger Harry Potter to cut New Zealand’s lead to 20-17 at halftime.

New Zealand edged ahead 26-17 with penalties at the start of the second half before a try to Carlo Tizzano left Australia only two points behind. Roigard scored again to seal New Zealand’s win, taking it back to the top of the Rugby Championship table ahead of the match between South Africa and Argentina in Durban later Saturday.

“Discipline early cost us and gave them momentum. On the back of that momentum they scored some good tries,” Australia coach Joe Schmidt said. “ I’m disappointed, the players are disappointed but I’m also proud of the effort they put in.”

The All Blacks scored after only four minutes through Clarke who was playing his first test of the year. He touched down in the left corner at the end of a long backline with fullback Will Jordan up as the extra man.

Clarke had tears in his eyes when his father, former All Black Eroni Clarke, unexpectedly sang the New Zealand national anthem before the match.

“I had my eyes closed and halfway through the English version I thought ‘that voice sounds familiar’,” Clarke said. The New Zealand anthem is sung in English and Te Reo, the indigenous Maori language.

In the 14th minute right winger Carter touched down for his second try in two tests after the All Blacks carried the ball through 12 phases against tentative Wallabies defense.

New Zealand had 71% of possession in the first quarter and made 364 meters in 55 carries as the Australian defense was both too narrow and too deep, giving the All Blacks the gain line.

Roigard injected pace and penetration into the All Blacks’ attack and scored in the 25th minute as New Zealand used the width of the park before pressing the Wallabies in the center. New Zealand led 20-3.

Australia had to replace 50-test scrumhalf Tate McDermott in the 18th minute with Ryan Lonergan on debut. New Zealand made a change at flyhalf where Damian McKenzie replaced Beauden Barrett.

The Wallabies began to turn the tide, gaining field position from numerous All Blacks penalties and carrying with more purpose. Hooker Proctor scored in the 30th minute to cut New Zealand’s lead to 10 points then Potter scored and Australia went to halftime only three points down.

James Slipper’s record 150th test ended when Australia swapped both props at halftime.

The tide turned again at the start of the second half. Australia conceded a series of penalties, earning an official warning, and McKenzie kicked two goals to lengthen New Zealand’s lead to 26-17. Wallabies flyhalf James O’Connor missed key touches from penalties.

Tizzano came off the bench to score a try from a lineout maul which cut New Zealand’s lead to two points with 11 minutes remaining. But Roigard’s second try allowed New Zealand to maintain its 31-year winning streak at Eden Park.

The teams meet against next weekend in Perth, Western Australia. The Wallabies had to win both matches to secure the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

SYDNEY — Argentina took advantage of some early handling errors and indiscipline by the Wallabies for a 19-7 halftime lead and held on to beat Australia 28-26 on Saturday in a Rugby Championship match at a sold-out Sydney Football Stadium.

The Wallabies came into the match on a high after their spirited last-minute 28-24 win last week over Argentina in the north Queensland city of Townsville.

There was a flurry of early scoring, but most of it was to the visitors with the Pumas leading 10-7 after just 10 minutes. After Argentina took the lead in the fifth minute on a penalty goal by Santiago Carreras, Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i barged over to score a converted try two minutes later to give the home side a brief lead, its only of the afternoon.

Argentina claimed the restart but after a knock-on, the Wallabies earned a scrum free kick. But captain Julián Montoya, leading the side in his 50th test, attempted a charge down and scored a try for Argentina.

Carreras converted and kicked a penalty goal three minutes later and Argentina led 13-7 after just 15 minutes. Two more Carreras penalty goals — he had four in the first half — gave the Pumas their 12-point halftime lead.

Carreras stayed perfect early in the second half and kicked his fifth penalty goal in the 44th minute after the Wallabies were called for obstruction to extend Argentina’s lead to 22-7 and beyond a two-try margin.

Carreras was on the board again 10 minutes later to extend Argentina’s lead to 25-7 and the Wallabies slowly starting seeing the match slip away.

But Australia reduced the deficit with three late tries and stout defense earned the Pumas their second win of the tournament. Argentina is now 2-2, including a first-ever home win over the All Blacks.

“We made it really hard for ourselves, discipline let us down badly,” Australia captain Harry Wilson said.

“We are normally a disciplined team. We have a lot of points in us but a lack of discipline made it hard for us. The support has been truly special and we’re going to keep trying to earn it. It really does lift us.”

Coming into Saturday’s match, Australia won two of its three tests in the Rugby Championship. The Wallabies had an upset win over the World Cup champion Springboks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg and a narrow loss in Cape Town to open the tournament before last week’s win.

All four teams in the tournament are idle next weekend. When it resumes on Sept. 27, New Zealand will host Australia at Auckland’s Eden Park and the Springboks play Argentina at Durban, South Africa.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — New Zealand stretched its unbeaten record at Eden Park to 51 matches with a 24-17 win over world champion South Africa on Saturday in a match played in passing rain and under a hail of Springboks’ kicks.

South Africa kicked incessantly in the first half, from scrumhalf, flyhalf and center but without positive effect in a test billed as the biggest of the year.

The All Blacks attacked with ball in hand and clinically, scoring tries inside 17 minutes to winger Emoni Narawa and fullback Will Jordan, building a lead that the Springboks couldn’t break down.

In contrast with the ball in hand, South Africa was often ineffective. The foundations of their attacking play were static and the All Blacks’ defense was excellent in unpicking their strength at breakdowns and mauls.

The Springboks still were strong at set pieces from which they scored two tries in the second.

Hooker Malcolm Marx scored in the 62nd minute after a clean tighthead to a superior Springboks scrum. But the All Blacks scored their third try to center Quinn Tupaea when South Africa was a man short, with Kwagga Smith in the sin-bin.

Finally, Cobus Reinach scored from a five meter scrum and when the Springboks still were down to 14 men, cutting the All Blacks margin with six minutes remaining.

The All Blacks have been brittle in these tight finishes in the recent past but on Saturday they were steely. The Springboks had a late attacking chance from a lineout with two minutes to play but Ardie Savea, in his 100th test, won a turnover.

One last possession for the Springboks and the All Blacks again won a turnover and ended the match.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

LONDON — Players at the Women’s Rugby World Cup are more than happy to proudly call their teammates their sisters.

Time together often rivals time with their actual families. Long before they lace up their boots and play, the players spent hours and hours together in the gym, in training, and in hotels and buses.

But among the sisterhood there are some bonafide sisters sprinkled among the 16 teams in England, and here’s some of their stories:

The Bremners grew up on a farm in a town of 200. They were unflashy, reliable, tough, and each other’s biggest supporter.

Alana, younger than Chelsea by nearly two years at 28, started rugby like many women do, in a mixed team as a kid. Her determination was obvious. First-class debut at 17, Canterbury player of the year at 18, captain at 23.

Alana persuaded Chelsea, at 21, to switch from netball to rugby. Chelsea found her niche. The lock didn’t lose in her first 43 games for Canterbury and first 15 tests for New Zealand.

Chelsea was picked first for the Black Ferns in 2020. Her first opponent was a Barbarians side captained by Alana. They didn’t tackle each other.

Alana was first to a test debut in 2021. Their first test together was in 2022 against Australia.

They played the entire 2022 World Cup final win over England at Eden Park. They’re at their second World Cup and locked together against Spain on the opening weekend.

“Sometimes we underestimate how cool this situation is; to be in it at the same time,” Alana told Rugby Pass.

The Feleus were born in France but grew up on the French island of Futuna, between Fiji and Samoa. Their father, a sports teacher, coached them. In 1993, Manaé played with France men’s international Yoram Moefana in an under-11 tournament on Wallis; she was the scrumhalf, he was the flyhalf. They won.

“One day (at age 7) I tried it out and it just clicked,” Téani told the Six Nations website. “I was free to express myself however I wanted to in rugby. I had more fun. I let off more steam. As soon as I started rugby, I knew it was the sport I wanted to do. I was in it to have fun.”

These days a lock, Manaé debuted for Les Bleues in 2020 and rose to captain in 2023. She was nominated this year for the best Six Nations player.

Téani, three years younger at 22, plays with Manaé at Grenoble Amazones and moved from France’s sevens to 15s in 2024. They both played against Italy on the World Cup’s opening weekend.

Also known as Bella and Ella, the Manusina’s youngest players and first twins turn 21 this Sunday. Christabelle is a flanker and Demielle is a lock/flanker. Both played in Samoa’s World Cup pool games against Australia and England.

They may have been destined to play for Samoa. Their father, Setu Tuilaepa, represented Samoa in 15s and sevens and was their first coach. Their mother, Beth Onesemo, managed their youth teams and was a Rugby Samoa board member.

Their first big splash was in rugby league, representing New Zealand last year on Australia’s Gold Coast in a championship for rising women’s talent. Before then, they admitted to googling the rules of rugby league on the car drive to their first game.

Back in rugby union, they made their test debuts in June against Tonga. One of their older sisters, Rialani, debuted for Manusina later that month against Australia A.

“Growing up, playing rugby, the resources we had were limited,” Christabelle told ABC Australia. “We didn’t get to go to the gym, we just had to train with what we had. Looking how far we’ve come, (we’re) just grateful to be where we are and what we’ve become.”

Keilamarita and Risaleaana, better known as Risi, are daughters of a Samoan mother, Lealofi, and New Zealand Maori father, Kevin. They moved as kids from Australia to New Zealand.

Risi earned her first-class debut and first national contract at 17, and two years later in 2019 she began playing sevens for New Zealand. She won Olympic gold in Tokyo and Paris. She made her 15s test debut in May at scrumhalf.

Keilamarita, four years older at 29, committed to Samoa early to try and qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Her rugby road hasn’t been as prominent as Risi’s but she answered another call by Samoa in 15s and the outside center played the first two test matches of her career in this World Cup against Australia and England.

After facing Australia in Manchester, Keilamarita made the two-hour drive to York the next day to watch Risi’s own World Cup debut against Spain. Keilamarita celebrated the occasion by giving her little sister an ula lole — a Samoan necklace of candies — a Maori flag, and a big hug.

“She’s actually older than me,” Risi said, “but everyone thinks she’s younger.”

“Hush,” Keilamarita said with a smile.

Elliann inspired little sister Rhea to follow in her footsteps. Rhea, younger by 2 1/2 years, has tailed her big sister’s career all the way to the World Cup via their local Dunfermline club, Stirling County, Edinburgh University, Bristol Bears, and Scotland.

“Elliann has been a real role model for me,” Rhea told GH Media. “To share this journey with her has been incredible.”

Elliann, 24, debuted for Scotland in 2022 and went to that year’s World Cup. But the tighthead prop’s biggest step was going to Bristol the following summer. Training with England prop Sarah Bern, England training squad prop Simi Pam and Wales loosehead prop Gwenllian Pyrs elevated her game.

After 12 tests off the bench, Elliann got her first start in her 13th against Fiji last September. Ever since she’s made the No. 3 jersey hers, including in both World Cup wins against Wales — opposing Pyrs — and Fiji.

Rhea, a scrumhalf, has been in Scotland camps for three years and finally made her test bow last March. Her second cap was last Saturday against Fiji. On Sunday she turned 22.

Faitala was shocked when Manu’a phoned three weeks ago to say she’d been selected for the Wallaroos. Just a week after Faitala was named in the World Cup squad, injury ruled out Charlotte Caslick and Manu’a, uncapped and 18, was brought in.

Manu’a told Faitala first. They’re not just sisters but best friends who lift each other and ground each other. They’ve shared the same rugby path for years, starting with impromptu dad-supervised games with their brothers in a park near their old Penrith home.

“When someone cried we went home,” Faitala said.

They play for the ACT Brumbies, Faitala at flyhalf, Manu’a in the centers.

Faitala was the Wallaroos rookie of the year in 2023 and, at 20, already has 23 caps. Manu’a waits for her first test cap.

“It’s a different kind of responsibility now that I’m here and I am the older one and I do have more experience,” Faitala told the Rugby Australia website. “Just guiding her to be her own self and not to be my shadow is something that I truly strive to push her to be and, honestly, I think she’s kind of taking more of the light now in training.”

What makes the head-shaking feat of two sets of sisters in one squad even more amazing is that they all come from the same club.

Nant Conwy lies in a valley on the edge of Eryri National Park, Wales’ mountain region in the north. The club was formed only in 1980. All four women started in mixed teams and moved into girls’ sides at age 12.

“(The club) have always been so supportive of us, they’ve been a massive part of all four of our journeys,” Nel said.

Loosehead prop Gwenllian was the senior among them; she’s appearing at her third World Cup at 27. Sister Alaw, a 19-year-old lock, joined her as a Wales international last September.

Nel, a wing/fullback, was picked by Wales in 2023. She’s 20, two years older than Branwen, who captained Wales in the Under-20 Six Nations this year. The back-rower received her first senior cap off the bench last Saturday against Canada.

“Words can’t even describe how proud I am,” Nel said. “I’ve watched her work so hard, coming back from an ACL injury not too long ago. She fully deserves to be here.”

Fiji can also boast two sets of sisters, but not from the same club.

Keleni Marawa and Karalaini Naisewa are props from Lautoka, while Setaita and Adi Salaseini ‘Sala’ Railumu are a scrumhalf and flanker from Suva’s Seahawks.

Naisewa came off the bench last weekend and burrowed under some Scots for Fijiana’s third try in a loss in Manchester. Setaita Railumu started against Canada and Scotland. But her younger sister Sala and Marawa, who played at the 2022 World Cup, are waiting for their first World Cup appearances in England.

“It has been a tough journey through the difficulties you face from home and the struggles during trainings,” Marawa told Fiji Rugby, “but having my sister with me keeps me moving forward despite all the hardships.”

Naisewa agreed: “Having her by my side is what keeps me motivated and the strength to go on.”

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Backrower Tyler Ardron scored four tries to mark his return to test rugby from a four-year absence to lead Canada to a surprising 34-20 win over the United States in the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup at Calgary, Alberta.

Ardron led Canada to the 2015 and 2019 World Cups but has been absent from his national side since 2021, during which Canada missed out on the 2023 World Cup and dropped out of the top 20 world rankings for the first time.

With a new head coach in place — Australian-born Steve Meehan — the 34-year-old Ardron answered a call to return and on Friday secured his 39th cap as Canada began its campaign to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

Prior to Friday’s win, Canada had lost 14 of its last 15 tests against the United States. Now, it has taken a major step towards World Cup qualification.

Later, Tonga led 20-6 at halftime and went on to beat Samoa 30-16 in the Tonga capital Nuku’alofa.

The top three teams from the Pacific Nations Cup apart from Fiji and Japan who already have qualified will advance to the next World Cup. The last-place team will go to a qualifying playoff.

The Pacific Nations Cup involves Fiji, Japan, Canada, the United States, Samoa and Tonga.

Ardron had a hat-trick by halftime Friday as Canada surprised the United States with its new fast-paced heads-up style based around an excellent lineout and tight-knit forward pack. Canada’s phase play from quickly recycled ball and strong pick and go running was hard to counter.

“We talked a lot in sport about finding things that matter,” Canada captain Lucas Rumball said. “It really mattered to us today.

“That was the focus of the game, just making it matter: every minute, every tackle, every pass, everything and I think we really showed it out there today.”

Ardron’s first try came after three minutes, another from a brilliant cross-kick by fullback Peter Nelson from a quick penalty and a third in the 37th minute as the teams went to halftime locked at 17-17.

Canada outscored the United States 17-3 in the second half with Ardon’s fourth try and another to Peter Nelson. The United States scored first-half tries through center Dominic Besag and Rufus McLean but was unable in the second to find a way, around or through Canada’s tough defense.

Tonga’s forward pack was outstanding at both ends of the field in its win over Samoa. The home team had surpluses of both territory and possession and finished scoring chances with precision.

Siosiula Moala and Sonatane Takulua scored first half tries for Tonga while Patrick Pellegrini kicked two conversions and two penalties. AJ Alitimu kicked two penalties for Samoa.

Tuni Tuitama scored a 60th-minute try for Samoa which cut the lead to 20-11 but Tonga pulled away again with a try to Samiuela Moli. Samoa finished with a superb try to Melani Nanai.

Next weekend in the second round of the tournament, Fiji hosts Tonga and Canada travels to Sendai, Japan. In the third and final preliminary round on Sept. 6, Fiji and Samoa play at Roturua, New Zealand and the United States hosts Japan at Sacramento, California.

The top four teams will advance to the semifinals, and the playoff rounds are set to be played in the United States. Denver is hosting the semifinals and fifth-place playoff on Sept. 14 and Salt Lake City the third-place playoff and final on Sept. 20.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby