Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Small crowds allowed when Australian Super Rugby back

The ACT Brumbies have been given the green light for a crowd of up to 1,500 spectators at their Canberra Stadium when professional rugby returns to Australia next month after the break caused by Covid-19.

Rugby • 19 Jun 20

The opening encounter sees the clash between the Queensland and New South Wales' sides

Australia's Super Rugby confirmed for July start

Australia's domestic "Super Rugby AU" schedule has been confirmed for 3 July to 19 September after getting approval from broadcasters, Rugby Australia said on Wednesday.

Rugby • 10 Jun 20

Fans will be back at Eden Park this weekend

Full crowds allowed as rugby resumes in New Zealand

Fans will be allowed into stadiums to watch the opening weekend of New Zealand's new domestic rugby union competition after the country lifted virtually all coronavirus restrictions.

Rugby • 08 Jun 20

Coronavirus threatens future of Argentina's Jaguares

Less than a year since reaching the Super Rugby final, Argentina's Jaguares face the risk of collapsing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Rugby • 06 Jun 20

New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson told Radio New Zealand the positive outlook was 'breathing a huge amount of life into the game'

NZ could allow fans back into stadiums by next week

Professional sport in New Zealand could welcome fans back to stadiums as early as next week with the government set to decide whether to lift all social distancing restrictions imposed to due the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rugby • 03 Jun 20

Australian rugby continues to battle financial woes

Rugby Australia lays off one third of its workforce

Rugby Australia (RA) has laid off a third of its full-time staff as well as dozens of contractors and casual workers as part of restructuring efforts to alleviate the financial pressures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rugby • 01 Jun 20

'It is extremely unfortunate and disappointing but the reality is that the Sunwolves time in Super Rugby has come to an end for now'

Sunwolves confirm time in Super Rugby is over

The Sunwolves said on Monday that their final season in Super Rugby is over after the Tokyo-based team's bid to play in a domestic tournament in Australia fell through due to COVID-19 travel and logistics issues.

Rugby • 01 Jun 20

Defending Super Rugby champions The Crusaders will be back in action next month

Professional rugby to return in New Zealand next month

New Zealand's five Super Rugby teams will play each other in a 10-week domestic competition from 13 June, bringing comfort to "Kiwis doing it tough".

Rugby • 11 May 20

Flatmates and team-mates Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie and Tom Robinson of the Blues pictured during a weights session in their Auckland garage

Super Rugby teams eye return to field as lockdown eased

Rugby authorities in New Zealand and Australia are hopeful of a return to domestic action shortly as their respective governments ease restrictions put in place to stem the coronavirus pandemic.

Rugby • 07 May 20

A young Auckland Blues fan during the Super Rugby clash with the Lions at Eden Park in March

New Zealand committee plot future for Super Rugby teams

New Zealand Rugby have formed a committee with the country's five Super Rugby teams to review operating models and plot a way forward for the domestic game amid a shutdown in global sport brought by the coronavirus.

Rugby • 27 Apr 20

The cutbacks will apply to Super Rugby players, including All Blacks, the women's Black Ferns and the sevens programmes

All Blacks accept 50% pay freeze

The All Blacks and Black Ferns have accepted a 50% freeze as New Zealand's players' association said it was preparing for the nightmare scenario of no more professional rugby this year.

Rugby • 16 Apr 20

Jamie Roberts with the Stormers on his debut

Ex-Wales centre Jamie Roberts takes on NHS role

Former Wales centre Jamie Roberts has set aside his rugby kit and begun working for Britain's National Health Service (NHS) to help front line workers battle the coronavirus pandemic while the rugby season remains suspended.

Soccer • 08 Apr 20

Lions head coach Gatland said the one-off "decider" against New Zealand could generate much-needed revenue when the sport resumes.

Gatland eyes All Blacks game before South Africa tour

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland wants his team to play a warm-up match against the All Blacks before their tour of South Africa next year.

Rugby • 08 Apr 20

The Brumbies and Waratahs will continue to compete behind closed doors

World Rugby postpones and cancels more events

World Rugby has postponed several tournaments and World Cup qualifiers due to the coronavirus outbreak, while June's Olympic qualifiers are under review.

Rugby • 20 Mar 20

The Brumbies beat the Waratahs in the final game before Super Rugby was suspended

Super Rugby season suspended due to coronavirus

Super Rugby has been put on hold in the wake of New Zealand announcing that travellers entering the country must self-isolate for 14 days due to fears over the coronavirus outbreak.

Rugby • 15 Mar 20

Japan's government have asked for all sports and cultural events in the country to be scrapped

Rugby in Japan under 'discussion' due to coronavirus

Southern hemisphere rugby officials are in "advanced discussions" on the future of Super Rugby matches in Japan due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Rugby • 27 Feb 20

New Zealand's Ardie Savea to undergo knee surgery

All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea has confirmed he will miss a big chunk of the 2020 Super Rugby season after he undergoes surgery for a knee injury he suffered at the World Cup.

Rugby • 01 Dec 19

Dave succeeds Michael Cheika, who resigned after his side's World Cup quarter-final defeat to England in Japan in October

Australia appoint Dave Rennie as head coach

Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie has been appointed as Australia head coach on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Rugby • 19 Nov 19

The Crusaders celebrate a 10th Super Rugby title

O'Gara departs Crusaders with second Super Rugby title

Ronan O'Gara brought the curtain down on his time in New Zealand with another Super Rugby title as the Crusaders made it a three-in-a-row with a 19-3 win over Jaguares at Christchurch.

Rugby • 06 Jul 19

Dual international Folau started his professional sporting career in the NRL

Australian Rugby League chief says Folau not welcome

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie has poured cold water on the prospect of sacked Wallabies full-back Israel Folau returning to the National Rugby League.

Rugby • 05 Jun 19

Ronan O'Gara is currently in New Zealand.

Ronan O'Gara linked with La Rochelle move

Ronan O'Gara has been lined up for a return to the Top14 in a coaching role with La Rochelle, French media outlet L'Equipe is reporting.

Rugby • 13 May 19

Owen Franks has been ruled out for four weeks

All Blacks prop Owen Franks tears muscle in shoulder

All Blacks prop Owen Franks will be out of action for at least another four weeks as he recovers from a small tear in his shoulder, his Super Rugby team the Canterbury Crusaders said on Monday.

Rugby • 29 Apr 19

Israel Folau breaks Super Rugby try-scoring record

Australia and New South Wales fullback Israel Folau became the most prolific try-scorer in Super Rugby history on Saturday when he bagged his 60th career five-pointer against the Auckland Blues.

Rugby • 06 Apr 19

Ronan O'Gara is part of the coaching team at the Super Rugby champions

Crusaders consider name change after terrorist attacks

Christchurch-based Crusaders could change their name following this week's terrorist attacks on two mosques in the New Zealand city.

Rugby • 17 Mar 19

Sam Carter is another Brumbies player to make the switch to Ulster

Ulster complete deal to sign Wallaby lock Sam Carter

Ulster have confirmed that Australian international Sam Carter will be joining the province from ACT Brumbies this summer.

Rugby • 31 Jan 19