Articles
News & Opinions articles
Topical articles and commentary on rugby events around the world.
Premiership clubs roll out artificial turfNewcastle Falcons’ decision to install a hi-tech artificial pitch at Kingston Park makes them the second club in England’s top flight to ditch a traditional grass playing surface. The new generation of materials promises a faster and more entertaining game, and safety concerns appear to be a thing of the past.
Don't cry for ArgentinaA desperately disappointed Argentina came agonisingly close to their first Rugby Championship victory over South Africa in Salta last Saturday. And it’s not about to get any easier with New Zealand and Australia and thousands of air miles looming in the coming months.
But Argentina are not complaining. They deserve their place in this most brutal of competitions.
Bledisloe draw leaves Aussies with hollow feelingThe Wallabies denied the All Blacks a record 18th consecutive victory with a 12-12 draw in Sydney on Saturday night.
But Australia should have won.
A rare victory would have further fuelled the feel-good factor in Australian rugby generated by the Waratahs’ recent Super Rugby triumph. Instead, the Wallabies find themselves trudging to Eden Park, the graveyard of Bledisloe dreams since David Campese and Simon Poidevin spearheaded the series victory of 1986.
France 2014: Women's Rugby comes of ageThe Women’s Rugby World Cup has been a remarkable success, and things have never looked better for the women’s game. France 2014 has seen marked improvements from a number of different countries, in skills, physicality, and athleticism, as well as huge growth in spectator numbers.
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Cheika inspires Waratahs to historic Super Rugby victoryWith the NSW Waratahs’ victory in the Super Rugby final, Michael Cheika is now the first coach to have captured the most-prized domestic titles in both the southern and northern hemispheres.
Graham Jenkins looks at how Cheika’s unconventional approach and management team turned around the ailing franchise.
German lessons from the 'other' World CupGermany showed at the FIFA World Cup that they are the world’s best football team. Graham Jenkins looks at what RWC contenders can learn from the success of coach Joachim Löw and Die Mannschaft
Top coaches travel far and wide to learn from other sportsGood coaches never stop learning, and the off-season gives a coach good opportunities to take on fresh thinking from other codes. Graham Jenkins looks at where some of the UK’s top rugby coaches are finding expert advice – and in some cases, hiring the experts themselves.
Will money talk in Super Rugby expansion debate?Singapore or Japan? Graham Jenkins tries to predict which country will be chosen as the first Asian Super Rugby franchise.
Rugby in English schools: still an elitist sportWill English rugby ever shake its elitist reputation? Should the RFU do more to increase playing opportunities at state schools?
England let their standards slipEngland’s first half fiasco against the All Blacks brought home some unpleasant truths to Stuart Lancaster and his team. Graham Jenkins reflects on the final test in Hamilton.
