Super XV Rugby Final.
Wellington... New Zealand.

Half time..

Highlanders. 13.

Hurricanes.. 5.

Go the Highlanders I shall never forget my Southern / Otago roots. Have supported them for as a long as I can remember.

They doing pretty well considering they only have 3 capped All Blacks and came 2nd last in 2013.

4 point lead for the Highlanders and 10 mins left with the Canes looking the stronger team...

Super XV Rugby Final.
Wellington... New Zealand.

Full time..

Highlanders. 21

Hurricanes.. 14

Terrific defence from the Highlanders

Nice start to the day with an 11/5 winner which seemed a big price considering they were only 6 points underdogs on the h/c

International Rugby
Apia Park. Apia Samoa.

New Zealand All Blacks. 25.

Samoa. 16.

Six Nations: BBC & ITV launch joint bid to fend off Sky

I know ITV aren't the most popular of broadcaster, but I'd rather see them host the tournament with BBC instead of soley on Sky.

Deal confirmed

ITV has rights to all England, Ireland and Italy home matches
BBC has rights to Scotland, Wales and France home matches

Whichever broadcaster doesn't show the last match will show a Sunday highlights show.

Considering BT weren't interested and Sky put in an unacceptable offer, the Celtic nations have got a deal of this (an increase of £10m per year).

2015-07-17
International Rugby. Rugby Championship.
AMI Stadium. Christchurch. New Zealand.

Argentina Pumas 18.

New Zealand All Blacks 39.


2015-07-18
International Rugby. Pacific Nations Cup.
Suva. Fiji.

Fiji 30.

Tonga 22.


2015-07-18
International Rugby. Rugby Championship.
Suncorp Stadium. Brisbane Australia.

Australia Wallabies 24.

South Africa Springboks 20.

What an incredible finish to the Australia vs South Africa match. For those who didn't see it, with the score at 20-17 to SA, and deep into the last minute of the match, Australia were awarded a penalty right in front of the posts. Take the points and settle for a draw..? Not a bit of it. They kicked for the corner so they could play for a try and win the game. A high risk strategy because if they failed to get a try they would certainly lose the game.

But after a number of phases they got the slightest of touches with the ball on the very edge of the line and after umpteen looks by the TMO, the try was awarded. Sporting theatre of the highest order.

The Aussies backed themselves to get the try and were justly rewarded for their enterprise and belief in their ability. This should be a warning to Wales and England at RWC..... the game aint over until it's over. We have been warned.

Strong start by South Africa in the latest Championship game on SS!

Leading the All Blacks by 10-3 approaching HT


Edit 10-10 at HT

A late Richie McCaw try that exploited a massive hole in the Springboks line out seals a win for the All Blacks 27-20

2015-07-25.
International Rugby. Rugby Championship
Ellis Park. Johannesburg. South Africa.

New Zealand. All Blacks. 27

South Africa. Springboks. 20

2015-07-25.
International Rugby. Rugby Championship.
Estadio Malvinas. Mendoza. Argentina.

Argentina. Los Pumas 9.

Australia. Wallabies 34.

2015-07-24.
International Rugby. Pacific Nations Cup.
Bonney Field. Sacramento. California. U.S.A.

Fiji. 30.

Samoa. Manu Samoa. 30.

2015-07-24.
International Rugby. Pacific Nations Cup.
Bonney Field. Sacramento California. U.S.A.

Japan. 18.

U.S.A. 23.

2014-07-24.
International Rugby. Pacific Nations Cup.
Swangard Stadium. Barnaby. British Columbia. Canada.

Canada. 18.

Tonga. 28.

The start of the warm up matches for RWC happens this weekend

Also the final round of matches for Rugby Championship, a straight shoot out between All Blacks and Wallabies.

Both teams apparently to field experimental lineups. (Wales and Ireland that is)

Experimental = English players in Wales's case

Yep but hopefully should be good game

Is this an unofficial beginning to RWC overall? The build up is half the fun sure!! Gonna be a top-class few months!

ITV have started running trails for their coverage of the event, so it feels like it's starting.

The next few months will be great for us rugby union fans.

That's good enough for me!

Any early predictions folks? Hard to look past NZ for the final, will England/Irl join them? Could Australia peak once again at the big stage? Are SA a serious contender? Can Wales build on 2011? Can you ever write off France? So many subplots too

It's very hard to look past NZ, I do think Ireland have a roaring chance though. A ball hasn't been kicked and there seems to be way too much f-ing around with England, I also think Tuilagi and Hartley will be massive losses

I wonder will we get any 'upset'? A la Fiji/Wales 2007, France/Tonga 2011. Maybe even a bigger one?

I think All Blacks will finally win the tournament outside their own shores.

Semi hopeful England can make the final, but that really depends on us outsmarting both Wales and Australia in the group stage. I can see a bit of home bias officiating happening, with a lot of 50/50 decisions going our way.

Sadly I don't think there will be any upsets, with pretty much all the big teams (minus the unlucky team from Group A) making the knock out phase.

Lancaster trims his squad
---
Have just realised that Wales vs Ireland match is only available online outside of Wales on BBC Website/iPlayer.

A fine win for Ireland's reserves against Wales reserves,35-21 in Cardiff today.Hasn't taught me much I didn't know.Mainly that Ireland have much more strength in depth and the group of death is looking an increasingly harder task at the World Cup.Especially as Australia clinched the rugby championship by beating the All Blacks earlier.

Huge congratulations to Argentina on their win over South Africa.