Articles
News & Opinions articles
Topical articles and commentary on rugby events around the world.
Emerging nations look to RWC 2015This month has seen attention paid to the top four of the world rankings ahead of next month’s drawn for the 2015 World Cup pools, but as interesting is the battle to be in the top eight, three old school tie unions, Wales, Ireland and Scotland, vying for three places with Argentina and Samoa.
Dan Cole should write out ‘I must pass when I have an overlap’ 500 timesThere is no reason why tight forwards should not recognise overlaps as acutely as backs despite two horrendous blunders during the weekend internationals
Gatland's thinking underminded by injuriesWarren Gatland said after he was named as the Lions coach for next year’s tour to Australia that he would judge players more by how they played in this month’s tangle of Tests in Europe than next year’s Six Nations.
Reasons to be cheerfulWhile some are feeling daunted by the prospect of the busy international fixture list over the coming weeks, I am looking forward to it.
NZ, Oz and Boks must welcome ArgentiniansGraham Henry looks forward to a month of international rugby and wonders what the solution is to the hot topic of player release.
Sam Warburton on The Rugby SiteThe Wales Captain talks about why he decided to join The Rugby Site and what you can expect from his videos.
Too Much of a Good ThingAll the world will arrive in the UK in November but there is a chance that too much rugby will leave us with no time to enjoy the special moments.
Joe Schmidt: Attack Fundamentals TrailerThe former Auckland Blues, Clermont Auvergne and now Leinster coach, delivers an attacking fundamentals training session.
Wales need to look forward for successA big bash is being held in west Wales on Halloween night. Some 1,200 guests will pile into Parc-y-Scarlets for a dinner to mark the 40th anniversary of Llanelli’s victory over the All Blacks.
Was Rugby better for Ruck JusticeMark Reason looks at the ludicrously inconsistent punishments handed out to the players who have targeted Richie McCaw and wonders if the answer is to bring back good old-fashioned rucking.
Lions WatchThe Lions’ selectors, all two of them at the moment with only Andy Irvine, the manager, and the head coach Warren Gatland having been appointed for next year’s tour to Australia, will be paying particular attention to the return of the Heineken Cup to Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday.
Has the Bledisloe lost its lustre?There is much at stake in Brisbane this weekend when the Wallabies host New Zealand.
Proper respect for the ref should start with the IRBBryce Lawrence’s retirement from refereeing should force an IRB enquiry into the political pressure placed on refs and the lack of proper support for the men in the middle
Gameplans will not win the Heineken CupThe Heineken Cup resumes today and if it is as keenly fought on the field as it has been off it in recent months, it will be a tournament worth watching.
Why refs give the Pumas an uneven breakIt is time to review the language and appointment of referees after Argentina were consistently discriminated against during the Rugby Championship
Stuck in the middleWith the Olympics, Paralympics, the Ryder Cup comeback, Andy Murray’s Grand Slam title & Bradley Wiggins Tour de France win the beginning of the rugby season was always going to be a struggle.
Off field antics dominate dull start to European rugby seasonThe first month of the season in Europe has been more notable for what has happened off the field that on it.
The great Habana thinks even faster than he runsMark Reason regards Bryan Habana’s performance against Australia as a perfect example of modern wing play and a great coaching tool for aspiring players
The Price of ProfessionalismMark Reason listens to Sir Colin Meads and the ambitions of the top English and French clubs and wonders if rugby has a soul left to sell.
In humility and respect the Boks lead the wayJG admires the gracious and respectful manner shown by the South African squad.
Graham Henry is a Teacher not a TraitorWayne Smith is saddened by the recent attacks on Graham Henry and decides to put the record straight.
Goodbye to France and all thatMark Reason argues that French clubs have long been in breach of IRB regulations and the only solution is to chuck France out of the Six Nations and the World Cup.
Coaching Videos from the Worlds BestIntroducing the world class team at The Rugby Site!
New head of refs must red card the cheatsMark Reason says that Joel Jutge must tell his refs to start applying the laws governing foul play or top level rugby will sink ever lower into an unwatchable mire of professional fouls.
Pumas outsmart predictable South AfricaWayne Smith is impressed with Argentina and believes they are a coming force in world rugby.
Australia’s biggest test is themselvesWayne Smith sees a group of Australians who aren’t showing the same optimism after the anthem as they do before i
Dingo Deans may soon be DogmeatMark Reason laments the loss of the larrikin in Australian rugby and hopes that he is not gone forever.
All Blacks can take Australia apart from set piece ballWayne Smith has a feeling that New Zealand could put a lot of points on a vulnerable Australia but he is not so sure about the outcome of the match between Argentina and South Africa in Mendoza
South Africa and Argentina Haunted by FearThe greatest challenge to both South Africa and Argentina in their opening match of the Rugby Championship is to play without fear.
All Blacks Unpredictibility Gives Them An EdgeThe hardest teams to defend against are the ones that are least predictable. The All Blacks have that edge.
