Articles

Latest Posts

France 2014: Women's Rugby comes of age

The Women’s Rugby World Cup has been a remarkable success, and things have never looked better for the women’s game. France 2014 has seen marked improvements from a number of different countries, in skills, physicality, and athleticism, as well as huge growth in spectator numbers.

.

Cheika inspires Waratahs to historic Super Rugby victory

With the NSW Waratahs’ victory in the Super Rugby final, Michael Cheika is now the first coach to have captured the most-prized domestic titles in both the southern and northern hemispheres.

Graham Jenkins looks at how Cheika’s unconventional approach and management team turned around the ailing franchise.

Mindset of Champions 5: Dan and Richie's Careers

Following the previous episode on these great player’s lives, we hear from Dan and Richie on their career journeys. From first being selected to play for the All Blacks to their biggest accomplishments and which players they most respect as opponents.

Watch the preview:

 

Brave attacking style powers Ireland past NZ

Murray Kinsella wraps up his analysis of the stunning Irish women’s victory over New Zealand at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, with a focus on the Irish team’s attacking play.

Irish defence and conditioning stun New Zealand

Murray Kinsella begins a look at how the Ireland women’s team pulled off one of the finest results in the history of the game on Tuesday, as they beat a highly-fancied New Zealand 17-14. In this article Murray focuses on the Irish team’s fantastic conditioning and defensive effort.

Mindset of Champions 4: Dan and Richie's Stories

Our Mindset of Champions series continues with an exclusive look at the lives two of modern rugby’s most influential players – Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw – in their own words.

In these episodes, we interview these greats of the game about how they got into rugby, their early years in the game, their motivation, and their lives off the field.

These videos are a must for all students of the game and anyone who aspires to play at the elite level.

Watch the preview or sign in to watch the full videos.

 

7's at the Games: Tietjens raises the stakes in the quest for gold

180,000 tickets were sold for the two days of Sevens action at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Beaten finalists New Zealand have raised the stakes for Rio 2016 by announcing that the country’s elite players – All Blacks and Super Rugby Players – will be encouraged to join the quest for rugby’s first Olympic gold medal since 1924.

How will the rest of the world respond?

Mindset of Champions 3: Leigh Halfpenny

The third episode of the ‘The Mindset of Champions’ features British Lion, Welsh international, and IRB Player of the Year 2013 nominee Leigh Halfpenny.

Leigh speaks openly about his love of his club and the importance of giving back to the game that has given him so much.

He speaks fondly about his grandfather who was undeniably the biggest influence in his career. And how when he is feeling under pressure in a big game, he mentally takes himself back to his homeground, and how important it is to put your misses “to bed”.

“My grandad said: If you’re not putting the hard work in – there’s always someone who will.”

 

German lessons from the 'other' World Cup

Germany showed at the FIFA World Cup that they are the world’s best football team. Graham Jenkins looks at what RWC contenders can learn from the success of coach Joachim Löw and Die Mannschaft

Breaking down the Brumbies' breakdown tactics

ACT Brumbies’ Director of Rugby, Laurie Fisher’s influence over the last three seasons has been clear in the Brumbies’ breakdown work, where the Australians excelled last weekend against the Chiefs. Murray Kinsella shows how Fisher’s influence contributed to the Brumbies’ success.

Top coaches travel far and wide to learn from other sports

Good coaches never stop learning, and the off-season gives a coach good opportunities to take on fresh thinking from other codes. Graham Jenkins looks at where some of the UK’s top rugby coaches are finding expert advice – and in some cases, hiring the experts themselves.

Mindset of Champions 2: Richie McCaw

The second episode of the ‘The Mindset of Champions’ features New Zealand’s World Cup-winning captain Richie McCaw. He talks openly about his approach to the game, what keeps him motivated to achieve, and how he has stayed at the top of the international game for so long.

Check out this sneak peek: