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New Zealand Rugby has granted provisional licenses to two Pacific Island teams, allowing them to join Super Rugby in 2022. Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua are the two sides who will join the ten existing Super Rugby clubs in an expanded and combined 12-team competition next year. The duo’s inclusion is not yet completely confirmed, with final approval of their licenses conditional on sign-off from Rugby Australia, and their final business plans. The latter were given a large boost last month when World Rugby committed an annual funding package of ￡1.2 million ($AUD2.12 million) for three years to support the two sides. “We are moving into the final phase of planning for 2022 and beyond, and we have confidence that Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua will be able to meet the conditions of the licence, which includes final sign-off on a sustainable business plan by 30 June,” NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said. “In the next two months we will be working with Rugby Australia and...

Some England players may miss out on the British and Irish Lions tour because of poor form but there will be more Scots than in 2017, says Warren Gatland. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56731932 https://rugby-store-temp.securedsite.cloud/british-and-irish-lions-2021-english-may-miss-out-but-more-scots-on-trip-hints-gatland/

How good is golden point?! The panel deliberated during the week, and overwhelmingly, two favourite moments from last weekend’s mad run of extra time and heart-stopping finishes emerged. The first is that moment of panic that sets in with teams as they try to do something, anything to get into position for a drop goal, only to not quite get there and still try and kick that drop-goal anywhere. And the second is that moment of panic when, shortly after kick-off in a period of extra time, a captain realises he’s just given up the wind. In sudden death. So golden point is good, but it makes us wonder, will we get a game with golden try extra time in Australia? Could it be this week? LAST WEEK: Geoff 3; Harry, Dan, and The Crowd 2; Brett and Digger 1. OVERALL: Harry, Dan and Geoff 23; The Crowd 21, Brett 19, Digger 18. Geoff TIPS: BLUES, CRUSADERS, FORCE, BRUMBIES If we call last weekend’s New Zealand results what they really were – draws – then only three points separated the side...

Some England players may miss out on the British and Irish Lions tour because of poor form but there will be more Scots than in 2017, says Warren Gatland. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56731932 https://therugbystore.com.au/british-and-irish-lions-2021-english-may-miss-out-but-more-scots-on-trip-hints-gatland/

How good is golden point?! The panel deliberated during the week, and overwhelmingly, two favourite moments from last weekend’s mad run of extra time and heart-stopping finishes emerged. The first is that moment of panic that sets in with teams as they try to do something, anything to get into position for a drop goal, only to not quite get there and still try and kick that drop-goal anywhere. And the second is that moment of panic when, shortly after kick-off in a period of extra time, a captain realises he’s just given up the wind. In sudden death. So golden point is good, but it makes us wonder, will we get a game with golden try extra time in Australia? Could it be this week? LAST WEEK: Geoff 3; Harry, Dan, and The Crowd 2; Brett and Digger 1. OVERALL: Harry, Dan and Geoff 23; The Crowd 21, Brett 19, Digger 18. Geoff TIPS: BLUES, CRUSADERS, FORCE, BRUMBIES If we call last weekend’s New Zealand results what they really were – draws – then only three points separated the side...

The IRFU has been told Ireland's Women's Six Nations game against France on Saturday will not be impacted by new quarantine rules Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56748323 https://therugbystore.com.au/womens-six-nations-2021-irfu-told-france-game-will-not-be-impacted-by-quarantine-rules/

The IRFU has been told Ireland's Women's Six Nations game against France on Saturday will not be impacted by new quarantine rules Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56748323 https://rugby-store-temp.securedsite.cloud/womens-six-nations-2021-irfu-told-france-game-will-not-be-impacted-by-quarantine-rules/

“Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed that he is grown so great?” ― William Shakespeare. The British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa is but a few months away, scribes and pundits are already beginning to debate, argue, and select their picks for their respective teams starting XVs for the first Test and the eventual result of the series. However, while the European leagues and cup competitions have continued uninhibited (to an extent), the worry for the Springboks brains trust will be the lack of game time the Springboks (collectively) have had in gathering momentum for the Lions tour. Although you’d never say so reading some of the bullish articles coming out of South Africa. There is a sweeping and prevailing wind of assuredness or cockiness from some of South Africa’s most respected rugby scribes that the Lions will lose the series 3 nil, especially with the possibility that they will be without their travelling horde of red-clad vociferous fans. Scribes have also point...

The difference between them is paper-thin: Brumbies and Reds, Reds and Brumbies. Over the seven games so far in Super Rugby AU 2021, the Reds have scored only three more points, and conceded five fewer. The Brumbies have scored three more tries than the Queenslanders, and two more than the Reds in their head-to-head contests. They are running neck and neck. The tightness of the competition harks back to a more general truth about modern sport at the highest level. When Sir Dave Brailsford became the performance director of British Cycling, he introduced the theory of marginal gains, which insisted that a mere one per cent improvement in multiple areas would result in a much more dramatic advance overall. “The whole principle came from the idea that if you broke down everything you could think of that goes into riding a bike, and then improve it by one per cent, you will get a significant increase when you put them all together,” he said in 2012. When Brailsford first started work, ...

In her second BBC Sport column of the 2021 Women's Six Nations, England prop Shaunagh Brown explains why she is not worried about the side's final. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56709964 https://rugby-store-temp.securedsite.cloud/shaunagh-brown-column-england-will-rise-to-the-occasion-in-the-womens-six-nations-final/

“Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed that he is grown so great?” ― William Shakespeare. The British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa is but a few months away, scribes and pundits are already beginning to debate, argue, and select their picks for their respective teams starting XVs for the first Test and the eventual result of the series. However, while the European leagues and cup competitions have continued uninhibited (to an extent), the worry for the Springboks brains trust will be the lack of game time the Springboks (collectively) have had in gathering momentum for the Lions tour. Although you’d never say so reading some of the bullish articles coming out of South Africa. There is a sweeping and prevailing wind of assuredness or cockiness from some of South Africa’s most respected rugby scribes that the Lions will lose the series 3 nil, especially with the possibility that they will be without their travelling horde of red-clad vociferous fans. Scribes have also point...

The first question on most British rugby fans’ minds this year has been: will the Lions tour go ahead? And where? But a more pressing question, noting the complete lack of game time for South Africa, should be: will the Springboks even be ready? South Africa have not played a game of international rugby since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in Tokyo in November 2019. The global pandemic has brought with it many unintended sporting experiments, and rugby is no different. Curtailed seasons, extra midweek games, thorough testing protocols and no crowds have all been a huge test for the sport. However, one of the biggest experiments in the last season came not from COVID-19 but from the Saracens’ salary saga. The result of Saracens being relegated along with their large England rugby contingent brought about the question of whether long rest periods between competitive games can create more opportunities and better performances. (Photo by Francois Nel – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Im...

In her second BBC Sport column of the 2021 Women's Six Nations, England prop Shaunagh Brown explains why she is not worried about the side's final. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56709964 https://therugbystore.com.au/shaunagh-brown-column-england-will-rise-to-the-occasion-in-the-womens-six-nations-final/

Ireland's Six Nations game against France on Saturday could be in doubt because of new quarantine rules introduced by the Irish government. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56709569 https://therugbystore.com.au/womens-six-nations-irfu-seeks-clarification-on-france-game-amid-new-quarantine-rules/

Not one to be bogged down in debate over what position suits Jordan Petaia best, Brad Thorn is keeping it simple at the Queensland Reds. Fullback, centre or wing? It doesn’t really matter when it comes to Petaia if you ask his coach – as long as you stick to one rule. “There was a move in the All Blacks: pass the ball to Jonah because he’s good,” the 56-Test New Zealand lock said. “That’s a good move…and I just think he’s (Petaia) one of those special guys, they’re just good. “He’s played for Australia at 13 and he’s done very well for us there and done very well on the wing and I reckon he’d do very well at the back (No.15) as well.” The 21-year-old has been shifted from the centres to wing for the last two Reds victories, starring in Saturday night’s 24-22 win against the Brumbies. He was safe under the high ball, intimidating in defence and soared high to catch a bomb and score the game’s final try. But it was his pinpoint 50-22 kick from open play to set up that try that pun...

The first question on most British rugby fans’ minds this year has been: will the Lions tour go ahead? And where? But a more pressing question, noting the complete lack of game time for South Africa, should be: will the Springboks even be ready? South Africa have not played a game of international rugby since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in Tokyo in November 2019. The global pandemic has brought with it many unintended sporting experiments, and rugby is no different. Curtailed seasons, extra midweek games, thorough testing protocols and no crowds have all been a huge test for the sport. However, one of the biggest experiments in the last season came not from COVID-19 but from the Saracens’ salary saga. The result of Saracens being relegated along with their large England rugby contingent brought about the question of whether long rest periods between competitive games can create more opportunities and better performances. (Photo by Francois Nel – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Im...

Ireland's Six Nations game against France on Saturday could be in doubt because of new quarantine rules introduced by the Irish government. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56709569 https://rugby-store-temp.securedsite.cloud/womens-six-nations-irfu-seeks-clarification-on-france-game-amid-new-quarantine-rules/

Leinster fight back after conceding two early tries to beat Exeter Chiefs 34-22 in the quarter-final of the Champions Cup at Sandy Park. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56689384 https://rugby-store-temp.securedsite.cloud/heineken-champions-cup-exeter-chiefs-knocked-out-by-leinster/

Not one to be bogged down in debate over what position suits Jordan Petaia best, Brad Thorn is keeping it simple at the Queensland Reds. Fullback, centre or wing? It doesn’t really matter when it comes to Petaia if you ask his coach – as long as you stick to one rule. “There was a move in the All Blacks: pass the ball to Jonah because he’s good,” the 56-Test New Zealand lock said. “That’s a good move…and I just think he’s (Petaia) one of those special guys, they’re just good. “He’s played for Australia at 13 and he’s done very well for us there and done very well on the wing and I reckon he’d do very well at the back (No.15) as well.” The 21-year-old has been shifted from the centres to wing for the last two Reds victories, starring in Saturday night’s 24-22 win against the Brumbies. He was safe under the high ball, intimidating in defence and soared high to catch a bomb and score the game’s final try. But it was his pinpoint 50-22 kick from open play to set up that try that pun...

The Western Force feel they are in the box seat to make a real dent on the Super Rugby AU finals after snatching victory against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday night in Melbourne. The Force won 16-15, only taking the lead in the 77th minute at AAMI Park after Tim Anstee’s try was converted by Domingo Miotti. “We didn’t really assert any dominance in any areas of the game but we had the belief that we could still get the job done,” said coach Tim Sampson. “That was a very crucial game to win and the next few weeks is in our hands now – we know what level we can get to.” The victory moved the Force level on the competition ladder with the Rebels, with two rounds remaining. The Force play both of those games – against the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds – at home in Perth, where they hope to ride a swell of support to join the Reds and Brumbies in the three-team finals. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) The Rebels play the Brumbies in Melbourne and then the Waratahs in Sydney. “...

Prop Will Stuart scores two of Bath's four tries as they defeat London Irish in the European Challenge Cup. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56663094 https://therugbystore.com.au/european-challenge-cup-bath-26-13-london-irish-will-stuart-scores-twice-at-the-rec/

England secure their place in the Women's Six Nations final as a flurry of late scores helps them to a nine-try victory in Italy. Original source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56703317 https://rugby-store-temp.securedsite.cloud/italy-3-67-england-red-roses-through-to-womens-six-nations-final/

The Western Force feel they are in the box seat to make a real dent on the Super Rugby AU finals after snatching victory against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday night in Melbourne. The Force won 16-15, only taking the lead in the 77th minute at AAMI Park after Tim Anstee’s try was converted by Domingo Miotti. “We didn’t really assert any dominance in any areas of the game but we had the belief that we could still get the job done,” said coach Tim Sampson. “That was a very crucial game to win and the next few weeks is in our hands now – we know what level we can get to.” The victory moved the Force level on the competition ladder with the Rebels, with two rounds remaining. The Force play both of those games – against the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds – at home in Perth, where they hope to ride a swell of support to join the Reds and Brumbies in the three-team finals. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) The Rebels play the Brumbies in Melbourne and then the Waratahs in Sydney. “...

How to Play the Game of Rugby Union Welcome to my beginner's guide to rugby with 2015 being such a huge year for British rugby, I've noticed influx and people wanted to understand what is seemingly a complex sport which Actually, when broken down is not so confusing, as you might think, I'm here to take you through everything, from the history of the game, the players, their positions on the field, the playing of the game scoring match officials and much more. So let's get started. History of rugby has always been something of a legend and it ' S believed that in 1823 a young boy by the name of William Webb Ellis at a game of school football, picked up the ball and started running toward the opposition's. Goal line was at this moment the sport was born. Although this story was never officially told until after Williams death, he's, recognized as the founder of rugby and a statue was erected in his honor in the town of rugby in 1997. Where is a game play...