Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Israel Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019

Hansen defends Folau selection and welcomes pride flag

Steve Hansen applauds the Rugby Football Union's decision to raise the pride flag above Twickenham on Sunday after acknowledging his selection of Israel Folau for the World XV is controversial.

Rugby • 23 May 23

Steve Hansen left his post as New Zealand head coach in 2019

Hansen: All Blacks' problems are bigger than the team

Former All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has strongly criticised New Zealand Rugby for "not doing their job properly" as the fallout to the series loss to Ireland continues.

Rugby • 27 Jul 22

New Zealand's World Cup winning coach Steve Hansen has backed plans for the rogue league

Hansen backs new 'World 12s' rugby format

Former World Cup winning coaches Steve Hansen and Jake White have given their backing to a new 12-a-side rugby format which has been launched.

Rugby • 08 Sep 21

Ian Foster served eight years as Steve Hansen's assistant

Ian Foster confirmed as new All Blacks head coach

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster has been appointed as the new head coach of the national side, succeeding his former boss Steve Hansen, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confirmed on Wednesday.

Rugby • 11 Dec 19

Scott Barrett scoring a try against Canada

Scott Barrett called up in only change for All Blacks

New Zealand have made one change to their match day squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup semi-final against England, with Scott Barrett set to start.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 24 Oct 19

Steve Hansen wants the Six Nations to back a global championship

All Blacks coach calls for global season

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has accused the Six Nations teams of acting selfishly in their refusal to back the Nations Championship.

Rugby • 22 Oct 19

Steven Hansen (r) got the better of his compatriot

Hansen: 'Ireland's experience was of not winning'

Steve Hansen insists quality and not quantity is the vital factor when it comes to experience after seeing New Zealand's young guns blast Ireland out of the World Cup.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 19 Oct 19

Schmidt: I think New Zealand are well aware of how we play and what they are going to do to combat that

Schmidt: We are not going to surprise New Zealand

Joe Schmidt admits Ireland's maiden two victories over New Zealand have denied his side the element of surprise in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final.

Rugby • 17 Oct 19

All Blacks coach Hansen: Cancelling it was a no-brainer

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said cancelling Saturday's World Cup match against Italy due to Typhoon Hagibis was a "no-brainer" but he also had sympathy for the Azzurri after they were denied a chance to play for a place in the quarter-finals.

Rugby • 11 Oct 19

Ireland are one of six teams Steve Hansen believes can win the World Cup

Six teams can win the World Cup - New Zealand coach

As many as six teams could win this year's World Cup, double the number of contenders four years ago, New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said ahead of his side's opening clash with South Africa, one of the tournament's other favourites.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 20 Sep 19

Joe Schmidt: 'I've had some really special experiences'

Rank fools no one, All Blacks are favourites - Schmidt

Joe Schmidt predictably played down Ireland's new official title as best team in the world, with the head coach saying the rankings fool no one.

Rugby • 07 Sep 19

Steve Hansen has defended New Zealand from claims of cheating

All Blacks Hansen unruffled by breakdown 'cheats' call

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has shrugged off criticism from former England flyhalf turned media pundit Stuart Barnes, who described the world champions as "cynical cheats" at the breakdown.

Rugby • 02 Sep 19

Owen Franks won't be on the plane to Japan

Franks misses out as New Zealand name World Cup squad

A recent drop in form has seen Northampton Saints prop Owen Franks miss out on selection as New Zealand named the squad tasked to win an unprecedented third straight Rugby World Cup.

Rugby • 28 Aug 19

McKenzie has 23 Test caps for New Zealand

New Zealand's McKenzie to miss World Cup

New Zealand utility back Damian McKenzie has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Rugby • 15 Apr 19

It was widely expected that Hansen would depart after the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Hansen confirms All Blacks exit after 2019 World Cup

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen will step down at the end of the 2019 World Cup, New Zealand Rugby Union has announced.

Rugby • 14 Dec 18

Joe Schmidt will make an announcement on his future on Monday

Pope: Schmidt's name on everyone's lips in New Zealand

Brent Pope believes that Joe Schmidt will announce that he is leaving the Ireland job after the 2019 Rugby World Cup - and that he will return home to succeed Steve Hansen as New Zealand head coach.

Rugby • 24 Nov 18

Hansen makes wholesale NZ changes for trip to Italy

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen retained just four players from the starting team that lost to Ireland last week when he named his side to face Italy in Rome this weekend on Thursday.

Rugby • 22 Nov 18

Steve Hansen and Joe Schmidt share a joke before the game last Saturday

Schmidt advised by Hansen to stay put, feels NZ writer

Joe Schmidt would be better off prolonging his Ireland tenure because current New Zealand boss Steve Hansen is likely to stay with the All Blacks, according to a prominent Kiwi sports writer.

Rugby • 20 Nov 18

Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong and Rory Best celebrate the victory over New Zealand

Hansen: Let's see how Ireland cope with being top dogs

Steve Hansen has challenged Ireland to live up to the tag of the world's best side that he has installed on Joe Schmidt's men.

Rugby • 18 Nov 18

Ireland are looking for just their second win over New Zealand

Ireland need to keep their cool and hope for some luck

Billed as second against first in the world rankings, Ireland face a massive challenge to overturn New Zealand for just the second time in history.

Rugby • 17 Nov 18

Tadgh Furlong in action against the All Blacks in 2016

Lenihan: Gauntlet down for fascinating All Blacks clash

Donal Lenihan says he is surprised at some of the references made to the 2016 Dublin encounter as Ireland prepare to host New Zealand again.

Rugby • 16 Nov 18

Ireland rightly wary of recalled party-pooper Crotty

He may not have a World Cup medal, but Ryan Crotty is one All Black who Joey Carbery and co will be very aware of after his 2013 killer cameo.

Rugby • 16 Nov 18

Ireland get put through their paces at Carton House

Schmidt out to sink All Blacks in 'spiky' battle

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt hopes his side meet the New Zealand's physicality head-on this weekend in what he expects to be a spiky affair at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 16 Nov 18

Steve Hansen: "He's going to be a key man for them."

'He likes to get what he wants'- Hansen praises Sexton

Johnny Sexton is a man who "likes to get what he wants" according to New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen, who showered the out-half with praise ahead of Saturday's Aviva Stadium showdown.

Rugby • 15 Nov 18

Steve Hansen and the All Blacks landed in Dublin on Sunday evening

'I just think he'll play' - Steve Hansen on Murray

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has not wavered in his belief that Conor Murray will start for Ireland in Saturday's Test at the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 11 Nov 18