Eddie Jones says he will not risk Manu Tuilagi’s fitness against Australia this weekend but is still hopeful the Leicester centre can transform England as an attacking force at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Tuilagi has not featured in any of this month’s Tests at Twickenham and is described by the head coach as “very…
Author: THEJOHNANTONIOBLOG
Rugby union: talking points from the third round of autumn Tests
Click:aluminum CNC machining 1) Townsend need not lose heart in defeat Scotland continue to dazzle in attack while being susceptible at the breakdown and in defence. Huw Jones embodied both traits in their 26-20 defeat by South Africa at Murrayfield, laying on a try for Pete Horne but being stripped of possession for one of…
Japan’s spiritual home of rugby can’t wait to host World Cup
While Japan’s players celebrated their stunning 34-32 victory over South Africa at the last World Cup, the cameras briefly cut to a middle-aged man, swathed in a Japanese flag, shedding tears of joy and disbelief that his compatriots had just pulled off the biggest upset in the tournament’s history. As the Brave Blossoms return to…
Tolu Latu to start at hooker as Wallabies ring changes for Wales
Tolu Latu has been picked to make only his second Test start for Australia after Michael Cheika named his team to face Wales this weekend. Latu, whose previous start came against France in 2016, has ousted veteran hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau in the starting line-up despite earning two yellow cards in his past two matches. Gareth…
Education can change attitudes to use of homophobic slurs, rugby study shows
Preliminary analysis of research from Monash University’s Sport Inclusion Project has found that while homophobic language persists at alarming rates in junior rugby union, educational training can change attitudes to the use of slurs in sport. Results of the study – which was undertaken by every Under-18s and Colts (Under-20s) rugby team in Victoria, and…
Joy of Johnny Sexton is on the point of being globally appreciated
World Rugby will be announcing its male and female players of 2018 in Monaco on Sunday. When the shortlists were first published there was still a faint element of doubt about the men’s winner. Not any more. If Johnny Sexton, the sole European contender, is somehow edged out there will be uproar in both hemispheres….
Steve Hansen says England against All Blacks is ‘even bigger’ than Lions tour
If the first match between England and New Zealand in four years needed any injection of hype then the All Blacks coach, Steve Hansen, delivered it when he suggested that Saturday’s encounter is bigger than last year’s British & Irish Lions tour. Chris Ashton to start for England against All Blacks as Tuilagi misses out…
Refusal to bow shows England ready for All Black ‘benchmark’
This time next year the Rugby World Cup will have just finished and Saturday’s opening match of the Quilter autumn series will mostly be forgotten. The majority will only recall South Africa literally throwing away a game they should have won and the dubious late decision not to penalise Owen Farrell for exactly the type…
Australia disappointed as New Zealand win Women’s Rugby World Cup hosting rights
Rugby Australia’s annus horribilis has continued after New Zealand were awarded the 2021 Women’s World Cup in Dublin. New Zealand edged out Australia 25-17 despite a late pitch from head of women’s rugby Jilly Collins, CEO Raelene Castle and chairman Cameron Clyne to the 42-member Rugby World council. Rugby Australia were confident of securing the…
Chris Ashton replaces injured Manu Tuilagi on bench for England against Springboks
Manu Tuilagi’s latest England comeback has been aborted after the Leicester centre suffered a minor groin strain in training. Tuilagi has been withdrawn from the bench for Saturday’s autumn series opener against South Africa and is replaced by wing Chris Ashton, who narrowly missed the cut for the original matchday 23. It is the latest…