Latest news with #AutumnInternational
Reuters
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Tandy named coach of struggling Wales
July 21 (Reuters) - Steve Tandy has been appointed to lead Wales to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, the Wales Rugby Union (WRU) said on Monday, tasked with revitalising a side who sunk to a record low in the world rankings this month. The former Scotland defence coach and British and Irish Lions assistant coach will take charge from September 1, as Wales prepare for November's Autumn International series, when they face New Zealand, world champions South Africa, Argentina and Japan. They had slipped to 14th in the rankings before beating Japan to end an 18-game winless run. "Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege," Tandy said in a statement. "I am looking forward to playing a role in the rebuilding phase of Welsh rugby and taking the national team back to competing with the best countries in the world. "I am excited about the potential of Welsh rugby and the group of young, hardworking players we have." Wales appointed Matt Sherratt as interim coach following the exit of Warren Gatland during this year's Six Nations, but he always said he was not interested in the job on a permanent basis. "After a thorough and detailed appointment process, Steve emerged as the standout candidate, and we know we have secured the very best coach for the job," Welsh Rugby CEO Abi Tierney said. "This is a keystone appointment for us and an integral part of our five-year strategy as we look to achieve sustainable success for our senior men's side."
The Star
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Beale captains First Nations & Pasifika XV against Lions
Rugby Union - Autumn International - Wales v Australia - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - November 20, 2021 Australia's Kurtley Beale reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo BRISBANE (Reuters) -Kurtley Beale will get his chance to face the British & Irish Lions on a second tour after being named captain of the First Nations & Pasifika XV team for Tuesday's clash in Melbourne. The 95-cap flyhalf, who famously slipped while taking a potentially match-winning penalty in the first test against the Lions in 2013, was robbed of the chance of facing the tourists for Western Force last month by a hamstring injury. The 36-year-old, one of only 15 indigenous Australians to have represented the Wallabies, has recovered sufficiently to lead a strong backline at Dockland's Stadium. "Kurtley is the most experienced player in the squad and was the natural selection for captain," coach Toutai Kefu said in a news release. "He is an extremely talented footballer and has been there and done it on the big stage." Beale is one of six indigenous players in the line-up with the rest of the matchday squad made up of players with Pacific islands heritage. Tongan-born prop Taniela Tupou and Fijian-born winger Filipo Daugunu were released from the Wallabies squad for the match and will have a chance to show coach Joe Schmidt that they should be in the reckoning for the second and third tests. Tuaina Taii Tualima, Charlie Gamble and Seru Uru make up a formidable back row, while former Wallabies Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Darcy Swain will feel they have a point to prove to Schmidt when they link up in the second row. Former Australia loose forward Pete Samu was prevented from playing by Lions management because he did not fulfil the stipulation in the tour agreement that all players should have featured in Super Rugby this season. Kefu, who helped the Wallabies beat the Lions 2-1 in the 2001 test series, nonetheless felt he had selected a side that could hand the tourists their first defeat in Australia on this tour. "The team has a really nice feel to it, with a blend of not only youth and experience, but also cultures," the World Cup winner said. "The Lions have shown how strong they are on this tour. No matter who plays, they will be very hard to beat, but we're not here to make up the numbers. "We want to win this game and make history." The Lions, who beat Australia in the first test in Brisbane on Saturday, will name their team on Monday. Team: 15–Andy Muirhead, 14–Triston Reilly, 13–Lalakai Foketi, 12–David Feliuai, 11–Filipo Daugunu, 10–Kurtley Beale, 9–Kalani Thomas, 8–Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7–Charlie Gamble, 6–Seru Uru, 5–Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4–Darcy Swain, 3–Taniela Tupou, 2–Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1–Lington Ieli Replacements: 16–Richie Asiata, 17–Marley Pearce, 18–Mesake Doge, 19–Mesake Vocevoce, 20–Rob Leota, 21–Harrison Goddard, 22–Jack Debreczeni, 23–Jarrah McLeod (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
The Star
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Winger Feyi-Waboso returns for England against the United States
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn International - England v New Zealand - Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London, Britain - November 2, 2024 England's Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scores their first try Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File photo (Reuters) -Coach Steve Borthwick has selected Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wing and could hand debuts to as many as six players when England face the United States in the final match of their summer tour in Washington DC on Saturday. Feyi-Waboso returns from a suspension picked up playing for an England XV against France XV last month, which ruled him out of the back-to-back wins over Argentina in the first two matches on tour. It was his first game since December after injury had curtailed the second half of the season and denied him a potential call-up by the British & Irish Lions. England are without a host of regular players who are in Australia with the Lions, meaning Borthwick has cast his selection net wide. Fullback Joe Carpenter, centre Max Ojomoh and lock Arthur Clark all make their international debuts in the starting XV, while hooker Gabriel Oghre, flyhalf Charlie Atkinson and centre Oscar Beard are set to earn a first cap off the bench. "There's been a great spirit in the squad throughout this tour," Borthwick said. "The players have worked hard for each other and pushed standards every day. Those selected this weekend have earned their chance through their effort and attitude. "We aim to keep building the squad, learn from every experience, and deliver a performance that our supporters can be proud of." Cadan Murley takes his place on the wing and Luke Northmore keeps his spot in the centres to partner Ojomoh. Captain George Ford has a new half-back partner in Jack van Poortvliet, who scored a dramatic late winning try in the 22-17 victory over Argentina last Saturday. Ford's 101 caps is more than the entire rest of the starting XV put together (96). Curtis Langdon is the hooker, with props Bevan Rodd and Asher Opoku-Fordjour either side of him, while the second row is made up of Alex Coles and Clark. Alex Dombrandt is at number eight, with flanker Chandler Cunningham-South and Guy Pepper making up the back row. It is just the second time England will play the United States on American soil, having last toured the country in 2001. They have won all seven previous meetings with their hosts. England team: 15–Joe Carpenter, 14–Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13–Luke Northmore, 12–Max Ojomoh, 11–Cadan Murley, 10–George Ford (captain), 9–Jack van Poortvliet, 8–Alex Dombrandt, 7–Guy Pepper, 6–Chandler Cunningham-South, 5–Arthur Clark, 4–Alex Coles, 3–Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2–Curtis Langdon, 1–Bevan Rodd Replacements: 16–Gabriel Oghre, 17–Fin Baxter, 18–Trevor Davison, 19–Ted Hill, 20–Ben Curry, 21–Harry Randall, 22–Charlie Atkinson, 23–Oscar Beard. (Reporting by Nick Said)
Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Winger Feyi-Waboso returns for England against the United States
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn International - England v New Zealand - Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London, Britain - November 2, 2024 England's Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scores their first try Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File photo Coach Steve Borthwick has selected Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wing and could hand debuts to as many as six players when England face the United States in the final match of their summer tour in Washington DC on Saturday. Feyi-Waboso returns from a suspension picked up playing for an England XV against France XV last month, which ruled him out of the back-to-back wins over Argentina in the first two matches on tour. It was his first game since December after injury had curtailed the second half of the season and denied him a potential call-up by the British & Irish Lions. England are without a host of regular players who are in Australia with the Lions, meaning Borthwick has cast his selection net wide. Fullback Joe Carpenter, centre Max Ojomoh and lock Arthur Clark all make their international debuts in the starting XV, while hooker Gabriel Oghre, flyhalf Charlie Atkinson and centre Oscar Beard are set to earn a first cap off the bench. "There's been a great spirit in the squad throughout this tour," Borthwick said. "The players have worked hard for each other and pushed standards every day. Those selected this weekend have earned their chance through their effort and attitude. "We aim to keep building the squad, learn from every experience, and deliver a performance that our supporters can be proud of." Cadan Murley takes his place on the wing and Luke Northmore keeps his spot in the centres to partner Ojomoh. Captain George Ford has a new half-back partner in Jack van Poortvliet, who scored a dramatic late winning try in the 22-17 victory over Argentina last Saturday. Ford's 101 caps is more than the entire rest of the starting XV put together (96). Curtis Langdon is the hooker, with props Bevan Rodd and Asher Opoku-Fordjour either side of him, while the second row is made up of Alex Coles and Clark. Alex Dombrandt is at number eight, with flanker Chandler Cunningham-South and Guy Pepper making up the back row. It is just the second time England will play the United States on American soil, having last toured the country in 2001. They have won all seven previous meetings with their hosts. England team: 15–Joe Carpenter, 14–Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13–Luke Northmore, 12–Max Ojomoh, 11–Cadan Murley, 10–George Ford (captain), 9–Jack van Poortvliet, 8–Alex Dombrandt, 7–Guy Pepper, 6–Chandler Cunningham-South, 5–Arthur Clark, 4–Alex Coles, 3–Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2–Curtis Langdon, 1–Bevan Rodd Replacements: 16–Gabriel Oghre, 17–Fin Baxter, 18–Trevor Davison, 19–Ted Hill, 20–Ben Curry, 21–Harry Randall, 22–Charlie Atkinson, 23–Oscar Beard. REUTERS
The Star
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Injured All Blacks winger Clarke to miss part of Rugby Championship
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn International - New Zealand Training - The Lensbury hotel, London, Britain - November 1, 2024 New Zealand's Caleb Clarke during training Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo (Reuters) -New Zealand winger Caleb Clarke may be sidelined for up to eight weeks with his high ankle injury and stands to miss at least part of the Rugby Championship. Clarke was ruled out of the rest of the France series on the eve of the second match in Wellington on Saturday but All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said he could miss further tests. "He could be probably six to eight (weeks). It is a good ankle injury," Robertson told reporters on Monday. "Shame for him. Really gutted." The All Blacks play their first two Rugby Championship matches against Argentina in Cordoba and Buenos Aires on August 16 and 23. Clarke was replaced in Robertson's starting 15 in Wellington by Emoni Narawi. The All Blacks thrashed the French 43-17 to seal the series and make the third match in Hamilton on Saturday a dead rubber. Clarke was originally named in the second test team as a replacement for the concussed Sevu Reece. The Fiji-born winger is now available for Hamilton after clearing concussion protocols. Robertson will be without Tupou Vaa'i, though, after the lock-turned-flanker suffered a head knock in the second half in Wellington and later failed a concussion test. Vaa'i, who started in the number six shirt in the first two tests in a rejigged back row, had been in good form, scoring a try in each match. Loose forward Luke Jacobson will be a potential replacement after recovering from injury, while prop Tyrel Lomax is also available after missing the first two tests. With the series sewn up, Robertson has the luxury of giving fringe players a run and mooted picking anyone fit in his 33-man squad who were overlooked for the first tests. That could mean game-time for prop George Bower, hooker Brodie McAlister, halfback Noah Hotham, fullback Ruben Love and veteran midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown. "There's some competition in the team. There's competition all over, which is exactly what we want," he said of the World Cup runners-up. "We want to create depth – to get four deep, as I've mentioned before." (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
