Rugby

Folau wins Australia's top rugby union award

Sydney - Muslimchronicle

Fullback Israel Folau has been named Australian rugby union's best player by his peers for a record third time after a stand-out international season. Folau, who is set to go on a sabbatical after Australia's clash with the Barbarians on Saturday, comfortably outpolled fellow Wallabies Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley to win the John Eales Medal. It was the NSWRead more

Whiteley may play in Japan by December - doctor

Johannesburg - Muslimchronicle

South Africa skipper and forward Warren Whiteley could play for his Japanese club during December, a doctor treating a long-term groin injury said Wednesday. The 30-year-old number eight was hurt during a Test against France last June and has not played since. He missed the last of three Tests against the French, the Rugby Championship, and has been ruled outRead more

Bizarre student rituals leading to English rugby player exodus

London - Muslimchronicle

Bizarre university rituals -- including having to fish dead rats out of buckets -- are contributing to a dramatic drop-off in the number of rugby players, a report said Wednesday. Britain's Times newspaper said other initiations included chilli powder being applied to sensitive areas and new students having vomit thrown over them. The Rugby Football Union (RFU), the governing bodyRead more

Wallabies to host Ireland in 2018

Sydney - Muslimchronicle

The Wallabies will host Ireland in the first three-Test series ever played between the two nations next year, it was announced Wednesday. The matches will kick off in Brisbane on June 9, followed by Melbourne a week later and then Sydney on June 23. "The rivalry between the two nations has grown enormously in recent years with some memorable encounters,"Read more

Rejects Force axe claims 'charade'

Sydney - Muslimchronicle

Australian Rugby Union chief Cameron Clyne rejected claims Wednesday that the decision to axe Western Force from Super Rugby had been made in February and dragging out the process had been "a charade". Mining magnate Andrew Forrest, a heavyweight backer of the club's parent body RugbyWA, said he had come into possession of legal advice sent to the ARU boardRead more

S. Africa's Springboks begin journey of discovery

Johannesburg - Muslimchronicle

South Africa launch their Rugby Championship campaign at home to Argentina Saturday knowing they have not convinced everyone a new chapter has begun following a horror 2016 season. After a calendar-year record eight defeats in 12 Tests under new coach Allister Coetzee, the 3-0 series whitewash of France two months ago was warmly welcomed. But while Coetzee spoke of "settingRead more

Gatland says Lions Test spots still up for grabs

Rotorua - Muslimchronicle

Coach Warren Gatland said Test spots to face the All Blacks were still up for grabs after the British and Irish Lions' 32-10 mauling of the Maori All Blacks on Saturday. Gatland said he would wait until after the Lions' final warm-up against the Waikato Chiefs on Tuesday before deciding his team for next week's opening Test in Auckland. "It'sRead more

NZ Rugby likens Sonny Bill flak to homophobia

Wellington - Arab Today

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) compared the vitriol surrounding Sonny Bill Williams' religious objections to wearing a banking logo with homophobia on Thursday, urging fans to respect the All Black star's beliefs. Williams, a devout Muslim, appeared for the Auckland Blues last weekend with the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) logo on his shirt collar blocked out by tape. It laterRead more

Stormers, Lions battle for Super Rugby supremacy in South Africa

Wellington - Arab Today

The Western Stormers square off against the Golden Lions in a blockbuster South African derby while Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett sets a match record in Super Rugby this weekend. The Canterbury Crusaders and Stormers are the only unbeaten sides remaining going into round eight of the competition, which next year will revert to a 15-team format from its current 18.Read more

Force or Rebels face Super Rugby axe

Sydney - Arab Today

Threatened franchises Western Force and Melbourne Rebels will know within days who will be axed from the troubled Super Rugby competition, the Australian Rugby Union said Monday amid a backlash. Governing body SANZAAR announced Sunday that two South African teams and one from Australia would be culled from the revamped 2018 southern hemisphere tournament amid financial losses and widespread fanRead more