Rugby World Cup 2023
Argentina sets up Japan showdown after routing Chile 59-5
Argentina set up a winner-takes-all clash with Japan for a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal spot after dominating Chile 59-5 in a rousing first South American derby on Saturday. Flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez enjoyed a perfect 100th test with 20 points and a try and became the Pumas' all-time leading point-scorer in… Read
Fiji beats Georgia 17-12
Anxious and error-prone Fiji fought back to beat fading Georgia 17-12 on Saturday and remain on course for the World Cup quarterfinals, pushing Australia to the brink of elimination. Fiji scored two second-half tries as they rebounded from a nine-point half-time deficit to tighten their grip on second place in… Read
Dupont returns to France squad after surgery
France's talismanic captain Antoine Dupont has rejoined the hosts' Rugby World Cup squad a week after undergoing surgery on a fractured cheekbone, the French federation (FFR) announced on Saturday. "Following the post-operative medical examination which took place yesterday (Friday), Antoine was authorised to resume directed progressive physical activity," the FFR… Read
All Blacks score 14 tries in 96-17 win over Italy
Scrumhalf Aaron Smith scored three of New Zealand’s seven first-half tries as it overwhelmed Italy 96-17 in a pivotal pool match at the Rugby World Cup on Friday. Smith completed his first test hat trick in an 18-minute period in the middle of the first spell in which New Zealand… Read
France's injured Dupont 'doing as well as possible' post-op at Rugby World Cup
France captain Antoine Dupont was “doing as well as possible” six days after surgery on his facial fracture, a team spokesman said on Thursday at the Rugby World Cup. Dupont suffered a broken jaw in an illegal head-on-head tackle against Namibia and had surgery the next day. He hasn't been… Read
Super Rugby partly to blame for Australia's Rugby World Cup woes, says assistant coach
Super Rugby is partly to blame for Australia lying on the brink of its worst Rugby World Cup result, assistant coach Pierre-Henry Broncan said. The Wallabies are set to miss the quarterfinals for the first time after historic defeats to Fiji and Wales. Broncan believed their inability to manage tight… Read
Japan beats Samoa 28-22 to set up must-win clash against Argentina
Japan teamwork trumped Samoa individual power and won their Rugby World Cup match by a 28-22 scoreline that was more comfortable than it looked on Thursday. With Argentina expected to earn a bonus-point win against Chile on Saturday, Japan's last Pool D match with the Pumas next week will be… Read
Fiji feeling love as everyone's favorite Rugby World Cup underdog
Fiji went for consistency in selection on Thursday for a Rugby World Cup game against Georgia that could put the popular Pacific islanders on the cusp of the quarterfinals. Everyone's favorite underdog made just one change to the 15 that started and upset Australia 22-15 just under two weeks ago.… Read
Italy prepared to risk everything against All Blacks
Italy have never beaten New Zealand before, nor reached the World Cup knock-out stages, but coach Kieran Crowley promised they would risk everything to make history in Lyon on Friday. Having won their first two Pool A matches against Namibia and Uruguay, Italy are buzzing. But the omens are not… Read
'Reassuring news' on Dupont, says France team doctor
The news on the recuperation of France captain Antoine Dupont is "reassuring", according to team doctor Bruno Boussagol, who said he hoped for a "quick return" to World Cup action for the talismanic scrum-half. Dupont underwent surgery Friday after suffering a fractured cheekbone the day before in France's victory over… Read
