Rugby World Cup

Jordie Barrett in doubt for Rugby World Cup opener

Barrett hasn't trained for the past two days as he nurses a knee injury, which has put him in doubt for the highly anticipated test.

The 26-year-old has been given "today and tomorrow" to prove his fitness.

Assistant coach Scott McLeod delivered the news at All Blacks training in Lyon today.

"He's just got a niggle. We are just taking precautions."

"It's a wait and see. It's still early in the week for us. So, we will just wait and see how he responds today and tomorrow to a little bit more treatment."

Rankings peak 'changes nothing' for Raiwalui's Fiji at Rugby World Cup

After last weekend's first win over England the Pacific islanders moved up to seventh, as they prepare to start their tournament against Wales on September 10.

"It changes nothing for us," Raiwalui told reporters.

"We haven't thought about the rankings. 

"We've been taking it one game at a time. Since the preparation started we had a goal of improving every week. 

"The objective and goal doesn't change," he added.

Former Fiji lock Raiwalui, 48, took over from Vern Cotter as head coach in February after the New Zealander resigned.

Prep time key for Flying Fijians

Fiji has lost only one Test out of five since the new coaching team led by Simon Raiwalui took over the reins from Vern Cotter six months ago.

Raiwalui said compared to before where they sometimes just get together a week before a game, this squad is well ahead in terms of preparation.

The former national captain added that this is going to be one of most competitive World Cup following the recent success of tier two nations.

Scott Barrett free to play All Blacks World Cup opener

Barrett was sent off after being shown a second yellow card for a dangerous clean out on Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx in the first half of New Zealand's record 35-7 defeat at Twickenham.

He had only just returned to the field after being sent to the sin bin for a foul at the breakdown, when New Zealand were on a team warning for repeated infringements.

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Sir James Dingemans (England), joined by former international player Olly Kohn (Wales) and former referee Valeriu Toma (Romania).

Japan Rugby World Cup squad 2023 – Jamie Joseph names 30 players

After their landmark 34-32 win against South Africa in 2015, the Brave Blossoms went on to produce even more incredible victories on home soil by beating Ireland and Scotland in 2019. They went through to the knockouts for the first time in their history.

This time out they face 2019 finalists England, and a feisty Argentina in their pool. Will they be able to produce more thrilling performances?

Coach Jamie Joseph – who is leaving Japan to return to the Highlanders next season – has named an initial 30-man squad ahead of the official 33-man squad deadline of 28 August.

France star Romain Ntamack out of Rugby World Cup with knee injury

The 24-year-old Ntamack ruptured cruciate ligaments in his left knee in the second half of the 30-27 victory over Scotland in a World Cup warm-up on Sunday, the team said following scans.

Matthieu Jalibert is set to fill in as Ntamack's understudy when the tournament begins in France on Sept. 8.

“Romain, we are thinking of you a lot,” the French rugby federation posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The whole group is supporting you. We wish you a good recovery.”

In his own post, Ntamack wrote: “I'll be back.”

Captain Kolisi included in Springboks World Cup squad

Kolisi had major knee surgery in April but South Africa are confident he will be fit in time for their first pool game against Scotland in Marseille on 10 Sept.

There are 12 World Cup debutants but the Boks kept the bulk of the side that won the tournament in Japan four years ago.

But Am, who twisted his knee in a warm-up test against Argentina on Saturday, and Pollard, who has a long running calf injury, were among the notable omissions when the squad was unveiled at an elaborate televised ceremony.

Flying Fijians named for 2023 Rugby World Cup

The surprise inclusion is prop Jone Koroiduadua.

Ben Volavola has missed out along with Vilimoni Botitu, Seta Tamanivalu, Joseva Tamani and Meli Tuni.

     

Yato leaves Flying Fijians camp

Coach Simon Raiwalui has confirmed that Yato removed himself from the camp earlier this week.

The Nadroga man trained with the team at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes last weekend and was part of their training session on Monday.

Raiwalui said Yato left the squad on his own accord.

‘He had great preparation and in the past weeks he was an outstanding leadership, leading the boys from and unfortunately there was a situation and he chose to leave the camp and I respect that.’

Kerevi insists he's not the answer as Wallabies search for a new outside centre

The only problem is, the class act seemingly best equipped to replace Ikitau at outside centre in the two coming Bledisloe Cup matches against the All Blacks doesn’t want to play there.

Samu Kerevi first burst onto the Test scene in 2016 as a dynamic No.13 and reluctant No.12.

Now it’s the opposite, and it looked that way after Kerevi shifted from inside to outside centre after Ikitau was injured while scoring Australia’s opening try in Saturday night’s 34-31 Rugby Championship loss to Argentina.