#Michael Hooper

Joe Moody will need surgery and has been ruled out of rugby for the remainder of the year. Photosport Crusaders and All Blacks prop Joe Moody has been ruled out for the rest of 2022 after suffering a long-term injury for the second straight year. The Crusaders confirmed Moody ruptured his ACL playing against the Blues two weeks ago and will require…

A last gasp Australian penalty broke Scottish hearts in the dying moments of a barnstorming quarter-final clash watched on by Prince Harry, Princess Anne and an animated Nicola Sturgeon. Scotland - who failed to register a single victory in the Six Nations - thought they had done the impossible when Mark Bennett's intercept-try put them ahead with…

Kurtley Beale is back in the green and gold after missing last year's Spring Tour in a big Dave Rennie selection statement. Beale is one of 44 players named for the Wallabies' four-day camp on the Gold Coast on Friday, with a Rugby World Cup looming in September. Joining Beale in the squad is experienced duo Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi who missed…

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has given his strongest indication that big-money stars Suliasi Vunivalu and James O'Connor could be snubbed for this year's Rugby World Cup after not inviting the Queensland Reds pair to a national camp next week. A 44-man Wallabies squad has been named for a four-day gathering on the Gold Coast next week ahead of the…

A month after Charlie Gamble declared he "bleeds blue" and supports the Wallabies, the New Zealand-born back-rower has been selected in Dave Rennie's 44-man Australian training squad. The 26-year-old is the only fresh face in the squad, which sees Kurtley Beale and Harry Wilson included after controversially missing last year's Spring Tour. The…

At a time when most players were wondering whether they would go to Japan for that year's Rugby World Cup, Kruis wanted to talk about something more long term. He wanted to know Jones' opinion on making Japan his home. "When you bring up the topic, you don't really know which way a coach is going to go," the former Saracens second row told BBC…

The finals start two rounds earlier as the Rebels and Waratahs fight for the all important final spot in the finals. The equation is simple:-If the Waratahs can manage a bonus point victory (without the Rebels earning one in defeat), the Rebels season is over.-A Waratahs victory without a bonus point/Rebels earning a bonus point in defeat would…

The path to the Webb Ellis Trophy is rarely smooth and never easy. But as we prepare for the World Cup knockout stage to begin, it's worth taking a look at where that path is likely to lead - and who is likely to tread it. The perennial contenders - unless you count England among them - are all still in the mix. So what should we expect to see in…

Ireland travel to Rome to face Italy in the Six Nations this weekend. This year's tournament has not gone to plan so far for Andy Farrell, with his side losing their opening two games against Wales and France. They face an Italian side who are also winless in the competition after defeats to France and England. Farrell has made seven changes to the…

IT'S now or never for Daryl Gibson. Since taking the reins from Wallabies coach Michael Cheika in 2016, the Waratahs have plummeted down the Super Rugby ladder at a rate of knots. There's a plethora of reasons why - injuries and a player exodus for starters - but after missing the finals in both seasons and finishing 16th last year, the former All…

Now that the 2022 international season has been wrapped up, we delve into the state of affairs in each of the competing nations. Next up, Australia. After another underwhelming Rugby Championship campaign - in which they finished in third position from the four participating countries in the competition - the Wallabies were determined to show…

The four nations of the clunkily named Rugby Championship do battle after dodgy July series. Argentina nipped a depleted Scotland at the last moment. South Africa laboured to a brutal win over a limited, dour Wales. Australia was overpowered by England after a hopeful first Test. New Zealand lost every facet of their series against Ireland. With…

South Africa face a crossroads fixture against Australia six days after losing to the Wallabies, with their Rugby Championship title chances riding on whether they can avenge that defeat Quade Cooper delivered the goods for Australia in his recent comeback against South Africa, but the enraged Springboks head to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday as…

Scotland missed a last-minute penalty as they lost by a point to a valiant Australia in a fascinatingly tight grudge match in Edinburgh. A fast start to the contest culminated in the opening try, with hot-stepping Scotland full-back Ollie Smith diving over in the corner to score on just his second appearance in dark blue. That start gave way to a…

With COVID cancellations and postponements across different leagues, it feels important to be optimistic. Rugby has plenty of exciting attractions in 2022, both at the elite level, and emerging competitions. We preview seven rugby highlights to look forward to this year: After memorable performances from England, France, and Ireland in the Autumn…

Week two went next level in the drama and force of the north-south conflict. Despite the win-loss count, the south made some ground back. North No. 1 (Ireland) struggled to put an experimental version of South Africa (south No. 2) away, their attack stymied and depending on marginal passes, looking spent in the last ten minutes and like the final…

Hardcore rugby fans the world over will be licking their lips as the armada of Southern Hemisphere giants steams north to take on the old world powers of the Six Nations. New Zealand laid down a statement of intent last weekend when they stopped off in Washington DC to cuff around a callow United States Eagles team, shorn of their more experienced…

Hello earthlings and welcome to Friday's Rugby News. It's a rugby weekend again and what a weekend we have. Let's first preview the Wallabies against The Haggis Eaters in'If you ain't first, you're last'. Go inside camp Wallaroo and a look at my favourite player with'Amazing Grace' . Look into the NZR boys club with'Women's Rugby Sucks' . I host…

For those who have followed The Rugby Championship this year, the 2022 edition of the annual showdown between SANZAAR teams was unlike any that had been seen before. No lead was ever truly safe, no test was ever truly a gimme and the quality of rugby was at a premium, featuring some of the best players on the planet to grace a rugby pitch. Even…

We were treated to a stunning spectacle of rugby last weekend which saw all four Southern Hemisphere nations take the chocolates, while France was the only team from up north to collect a win. With several series on the line can England, Ireland or Wales fight their way to victory in Game 2? Read on for all the line-ups and key team news as it…